Framework 2 by Anders Åstrand and Daniel Berg is a collection of six works from their album of the same name. The works are “crossover songs from jazz standards to folk songs with an open form for vibraphone and marimba” and offer the players options for making their own version of the works as well as improvisation opportunities in each piece. It reminds me a lot of the works of Double Vision (Dave Samuels and David Friedman), though accessible to more players.

 This collection fills a need in classical percussion repertoire and bridges the gap between fully composed music and music one can improvise over. Åstrand and Berg have provided something that seasoned improvisers can utilize right away, and that allows performers new to soloing over a form to dip a toe into unfamiliar waters, so to speak. The score can be played as written, but players are encouraged to play with the form (suggestions are given), improvise a specific line, and generally be more free. The score has all applicable chord changes, and it comes with QR codes with which to access your audio streaming platform of choice to start listening to recordings right away.

I highly recommend Framework 2 for any players looking to do more structured improvisation, as well as seasoned jazz players.