Nmperign, a Boston group whose nucleus consists of soprano saxophonist Bhob Rainey and trumpeter Greg Kelley, is known for exploring the quiet side of free improvisation. The group usually bases its music around long tones and extended-technique effects, and its improvisations often sound a little like electronic drones. Nmperign's first record, 44'38", included Kelley and Rainey alongside percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani. 44'38" was, in many ways, a straightforward free improv album, but it featured glimpses of the signature sound that Nmperign would later develop. In 1999, Nmperign, this time without Nakatani, released This Is Nmperign's 2nd CD, a live album based around the sounds that Rainey and Kelley would spend the next few years exploring. The group also soon released a collaboration with electronic artist Jason Lescalleet entitled In Which the Silent Film Director Is No Longer Able to Make His Point to the Industrial Dreamer. In 2001, Nmperign released its fourth album under its members' proper names (the artist is listed as "Bhob Rainey/Greg Kelley"), though its title is Nmperign. The duo's 2002 projects included collaborations with trumpeter Axel Dörner and drummer Günter Müller ~ Charlie Wilmoth