This volume investigates the state of the British contemporary music scene during the 1987-1988 period to determine the breadth and diversity of creative activity. Michael Finnissy, a prominent composer and academic, utilizes his position within the industry to curate a collection of reviews and critical responses. The text serves as a historical record of the aesthetic and technical trends defining British composition at the time. It argues that the period was marked by a significant wealth of activity that warrants documentation and analysis.

Experts and musicologists view this volume as a valuable primary source for understanding the specific cultural climate of British music in the late 1980s. Readers often note the specialized nature of the prose, which assumes a high level of familiarity with contemporary classical music theory and practice.