"Jamming simply meant to plug in and play together in a spontaneous/improvisational fashion. Countless songs from those early Minds albums were initiated in that fashion. We were good at it, everyone totally present, ready for inspiration to arrive as one musician would initially take the lead with a new idea, then circling round it endlessly while trying to find out where it could go next. The others would then at some point come chiming in one by one, offering real time ideas. Usually delicate at first (almost shyly) but soon forcefully. Essentially all were in the process of fleshing out the original idea. Complementing the mood with different layers of sounds and rhythms was always a crucial initiative. And as the evolving piece continued to take shape, it would become obvious to all in the room that a new song idea was being born right there at that moment. But not always of course. Many times "a jam" would go round and round, leading to nowhere exciting. But even at that, the jamming was a positive thing as the sheer exercise of doing so meant that the musicians could break sweat, and flex their playing muscles, while also working on their improvisational skills. Technology changed much of this, and I could not tell you the last time I heard any musician referring to jamming. Just does not happen in the circles I am in. Reason being is that almost all musicians have their own little recording studios. A laptop! On this, they usually programme up pretty solid, if not complete song ideas. Therefore no need to spend hours jamming, circling round and round like Whirling Dervishes..perhaps risking ending up nowhere! A pity really. Jamming, or at least great jamming, needed some very sharp skills. Patience and resolve being one. I think those skills have been lost on many as a result." - Jim, 28th June, 2017