Compositions 1960 finds the pioneering minimalist composer La Monte Young drifting into the realm of conceptual music. The “compositions” consist of verbal instructions to the performer that have nothing obviously to do with music; the musician is instructed to do things like build a fire in front of the audience, turn off all lights in the hall, “draw a straight line and follow it,” etc. Guitarist Noël Akchoté’s approach is to interpret these instructions as generative ideas for apparently improvised guitar performances, all of which are quite interesting.

– Rick Anderson