Usually a trio of drummer
Eddie Prévost, saxophonist
Lou Gare and guitarist
Keith Rowe,
AMM has explored the minimalist fringe of avant-garde chance operations and improvisational jazz since its inception in 1965. The group debuted with
AMMMusic in 1967, and released two additional albums during the late '60s. Much more quiet during the following decade,
AMM became jazz-oriented for a brief period when only Prévost and Gare remained. The addition of composer
Cornelius Cardew, and frequent classical musicians (cellist Rohan de Saram, pianist
John Tilbury), tilted the balance back towards classical minimalism.
AMM's recording activity resumed again in the mid-'80s, with a parade of live releases and re-releases on Prevost's own Matchless Records, but very few original pieces; one exception is the
Tom Phillips opera
Irma, with contributions from
Lol Coxhill, among others. Prévost also contributed to a new generation of experimentalists by recording with
Jim O'Rourke, as well as Sonic Boom's
EAR project. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide