In Floating World the San Francisco-based composer and clarinetist Aaron Novik sets to music the writings of local "outsider" poets. Poignant, witty and unique perspectives from the city's homeless, developmentally disabled, mentally ill and genius savant comprise this collection of dramatic short sketches and longer pieces that seamlessly marry pop music with art song. Featuring vocalists Carla Kihlstedt (Tin Hat Trio, Charming Hostess, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum) and Katy Stephan alongside a band of Novik's regular collaborators Floating World paints a lush and kaleidoscopically beautiful portrait of the diversity of the Mission District of San Francisco. The 7” edition contains the shorter pieces from the CD. The jackets are printed by hand on a letter press by Bay Area artist Reb Peters. Each record in this limited edition of 500 is numbered.