Electric Saxophone II is Saxophonist John Sampen’s first release on AMP Recordings. This release is an extension of John Sampen’s 1997 recording project, which featured works of the 20th century. It continues the exploration of this genre and celebrates nearly 50 years of electroacoustic music.

The ever-expanding technology of live performer/computer interaction (via Max/MSP) is explored in Bunce’s Schrödinger’s Cat , Pinkston’s Inside Outside and Mobberley’s Once Again Into The Light. Reaching back to 1966, one finds Reed Phase by Steve Reich, a historic composition representing one of the earliest works for saxophone and tape. Marilyn Shrude’s Trope is a sophisticated example of micropolyphony. And while Takemitsu’s  Distance was not constructed with electroacoustic components, the composer did suggest an optional Japanese shō accompaniment. For this recording, Sampen and Bunce have sampled an actual shō, which is controlled electronically and interactively by the soloist.