Main inspirations: John Coltrane's Ascension, Ornette Coleman's Free Jazz, Pierre Boulez' Le Marteau sans Maitre, Arnold Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire, Giovanni Boccacio's The Decameron and the absurd story of the building of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral in Florence, Italy: the cathedral was begun in 1294 with the sole intention of surpassing the Siennese and Pisans, but its builders had no real idea how such an immense dome could be erected. Nontheless, work continued for 125 years until the problem of the dome became critical and potentially embarrassing. After much politicking and many bizarre proposals the church and dome were finally completed by Fillippo Brunelleschi, who found his solution while wandering among the ancient ruins of Rome.

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Dave Douglas: trumpet

Cuong Vu: trumpet

Yuka Honda: sampler

Anthony Coleman: sampler

Hilliard Greene: bass

Mark Dresser: bass

Chris Speed: tenor & clarinet

Dougie Bowne: drums

Recorded at the Knitting Factory, New York, 1996

Graphic Design: Ikue Mori

Part one

1. Apparition

2. Three Beasts

3. Swoon

4. The Lethe

5. Dark Wood

6. The Dome

7. Heavenly Messenger

8. Among Frogs

Part two

1. Limbo

2. The Great Cliff

3. The Lantern

4. Mad Dog

5. The Flower

6. Contemplation

7. Coins

8. Among Stars