It journeys through our most recent release and anniversary album, “Shadow Figures” (Spaces Unfolding + Pierre Alexandre Tremblay - BEAD 50, 2024), through to material from the original LPs, works from long-standing Bead members and contributions from artists yet to be featured—such as Hannah Marshall and Phil Minton, both of whom performed at our recent celebration concert.

Despite a majority of the original LPs being undigitised, this playlist includes selections from Philipp Wachsmann’s “Writing in Water” (BEAD 23, 1985) and “Fire Without Bricks” (BEAD 4, 1977) by the Ashbury/Stabbins duo. “London Bass Trio”, possibly the UK’s first-ever improvising double bass trio is featured and includes Tony Wren, one of the early members of Bead.

You can hear the wonderful duo of Angharad Davies and Steve Beresford, evoking Beresford’s duo with Nigel Coombes on White String’s Attached (BEAD 16, 1980). Tony Oxley’s “February Papers”, originally released on Incus (1977) and recently reissued by our friends at Discus Music is included. On this recording, central Bead artists can be heard such as Tony Oxley, Ian Brighton and of course, Philipp Wachsmann.

Matthew Hutchinson has been integral to Bead since the late 70s, contributing alongside Wachsmann in its administration while also maintaining his own strong artistic output. He can be heard on “Untuning the Sky” (Bead Special CD09 SP, 2012) in duo with trumpeter Chris Burn.

Our friends at Shrike Records recently released “Elusive". It features aforementioned Marshall, alongside John Butcher, Mark Sanders and Steve Beresford, all of whom have been featured on Bead at various points in time.

The final track welcomes Tom Challenger for his Bead debut, in a trio with light.box (Alex Bonney and Pierre Alexandre Tremblay) having previously released "The Undanced Dance" (BEAD 44, 2021). “Eyre” awaits release 28th February this year.

The playlist spans close to 50 years, and despite differences in generations and lineups, they share an uncompromising dedication to improvisation and its development.

check out the playlist and listen here