Definitely compositions. The title track goes from very austere beginnings to eventually live up to it's name, Houle blowing circles around Crispell's clusters and runs. These are the most engaging parts of the disc for me, and I wish they'd just BLOW more often.

I guess the idea behind composing ideas to improvise around is so that the listeners, as well as the players, are spared those moments of wandering or un-inspiration. Does this point out a lack of ability in the composers? Perhaps. But these are two veterans, and I've heard them both improvise brilliantly in other contexts, so why the Forethought? Something to prove? Trying to get something across?I cannot in good conscience judge these compositions. They all sound more classical than jazz (to use worn-out terms) and during the written parts I find myself wishing they'd get to the fire. (When Crispell plays a solo, things burn right up.) I like the spareness of the two instruments' sounds, and the recording is excellent. My girlfriend, who's been listening along with me, found this CD more interesting than anything else I've played tonight.