Cortex (Hoyer / Nilssen / Alberts / Johansson):
Legal Tender (Clean Feed)
Seriously joyful and consequential "avant-garde party music" from the Norwegian Cortex quartet of Ola Hoyer on double bass, Gard Nilssen on drums, percussion, Kristoffer Berre Alberts on saxophone, and Thomas Johansson on trumpet, in their 6th album of irresistible, upbeat free jazz. ... Click to View
Ballrogg (Ellerhusen-Holm / Arntzen / Stackenas):
Rolling Ball (Clean Feed)
The Norwegian trio Ballrog, which started as the duo of Klaus Ellerhusen-Holm on clarinet and Roger Arntzen on double bass, then expanded with guitarist Ivar Grydeland, now replaced with David Stackäs, a perfect choice for the lyrical chamber approach of intertwining lines and fluid melodic statement, with a sense of "free chamber americana"; beautiful. ... Click to View
Chrome Hill (Lerheim / Arntzen / Lofthus / Nymo):
This is Chrome Hill (Clean Feed)
Self-described as Scandinavian jazz rock noir, the Chrome Hill quartet of Asbjorn Lerheim on baritone guitar, Roger Arntzen on double bass, Torstein Lofthus on drums & vibraphone, and Atle Nymo on tenor saxophone, present a dramatic album of contrasts inspired by cinematic and musical moods, merging elements of folk, Delta blues and cowboy rock into their darkly cool sound. ... Click to View
Warriors of the Wonderful Sound Expanded Ensemble, The:
Soundpath (Clean Feed)
AACM legend Muhal Richard Abrams was commissioned by Philadelphia saxophonist Bobby Zankel to compose for Zankel's large ensemble Warriors of the Wonderful Sound, this monumental piece premiered in 2012, but only in 2018 was a 2nd performance possible, conducted by Marty Ehrlich and receiving 2 standing ovations, recording this studio version the next day at Drexel University. ... Click to View
Lencastre / Nuno / Faustino / Valinho:
Anthropic Neglect (Clean Feed)
Three heavy "Concept" pieces of electric jazz from the quartet of Lisbon saxophonist José Lencastre, electric bassist Felipe Zenicola (from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), drummer João Valinho and Jorge Nuno, a guitarist generally associated with psychedelic rock, as the band slowly burns through a brew that flirts with rock and 70s fusion in unique ways. ... Click to View
Savina Yannatou / Joana Sa:
Ways of Not Seeing (Clean Feed)
A gorgeous and sinuous album of piano and voice from Portugues pianist Joana Sá, using preparations and props to accompany the incredibly illustrative voice of Greek vocalist Savina Yannatou, whose profound skills create a sense of mystery and narrative that surpasses language and intent, creating something unique of fragile yet fierce allure. ... Click to View
Luisa Goncalves :
Unno (Clean Feed)
A rich and lyrical album of solo piano improvisation from Lisbon-based Portuguese pianist Luísa Gonçalves, improvised yet merging elements of contemporary compositional music into beautiful and graceful forms that she reveals in a contemplative and pensive way, savoring her notes and progressions while allowing melody to come forward in sophisticated ways. ... Click to View
Joao Lobo (Lobo / Lobo / Kempeneer):
Simorgh (Shhpuma)
Drummer Joao Lobo's trio with guitarist Norberto Lobo and double bassist Soet Kempeneer perform the drummer's dynamic compositions, along with one traditional works, a tight trio of highly interactive playing and a sense of familial interplay as the band weaves around Lobo's layered drumming and emphatic grooves, taking time for introspection among their energetic spontaneity. ... Click to View
Andre Goncalves :
Instrumentals (Shhpuma)
A compilation of compositions for conventional, acoustic, musical instruments, performed through synthetics and computer processing as an album of electronic music, composed by Lisbon based sound and media artist André Gonçalves, each or 9 parts simply titled "Instrumental", and each a fascinating microcosm of kinetic, synthetic-acoustic potential. ... Click to View
Kahil El'Zabar:
Kahil El'Zabar's America The Beautiful (Spiritmuse Records)
Chicago multi-percussionist Kahil El'Zabar composes, arranges and conducts a tour de force musical testament to speak about the turbulent issues in America and the world today, as well as his hopes and love for a better tomorrow, in a 12-piece ensemble including Hamiet Bluiett, Tomeka Reid, Corey Wilkes, Dennis Winslett, and the James Sanders String Quartet. ... Click to View
Sabu Toyozumi / Rick Countryman / Simon Tan / Isla Antinero / Stella Ignacio:
The Search for the Five Senses (Sol Disk Records)
Recorded during Sabu Toyozumi's first collaboration with Rick Countryman in 2017, this album features music from the same nights that produced Jya-Ne and Center of Contradiction: 6 tracks from an August 11th quintet performance with voice and trombone, and electric bass; plus 2 tracks are from the following night, in a trio format with acoustic bass. ... Click to View
Schubert / Schlippenbach / Blume:
Forge (Relative Pitch)
"Merge" aptly describes the nearly telepathic interplay between these three European Free Improv masters -- Alexander von Schlippenbach on piano, Frank Paul Schubert on alto & soprano saxophones, and Martin Blume on drums -- recorded live in 2019 at Ruhr Jazz Fest, in Bochum, Germany, for an expansive 47 minute improvisation and a brief "Forgin the Work" conclusion. ... Click to View
Jooklo Trio (Genta / Vanzan / Lopez):
It Is What It Is (Relative Pitch)
A raucous blast of free jazz, electrifyingly extending the Italian improv unit Jooklo Duo of drummer/percussionist David Vanzan and saxophonist Virginia Genta, here on amplified tenor & sopranino saxophones, with New York improviser Brandon Lopez on electric bass, burning six hair-raising blasts of aggressive free improv of exemplary relentlessness. ... Click to View
Samara Lubelski :
Partial Infinite Sequence (Relative Pitch)
Performing solo on violin with surrounding effects that emphasize the dramatic tension in her extended sequences, Samara Lubelski presents two substantial journeys into the infinite, swirling in delays and reverb as her bow transitions from rapid up and down to long drawing and sustaining, pulling a variety of sounds that elate her listeners in spirals and eddies. ... Click to View
Susanna Gartmayer / Christoph Kurzmann:
Smaller Sad (Klanggalerie )
The first meeting between the Austrian duo of bass clarinetist Susanna Gartmayer and Christof Kurzmann, here using ppool software, voice and rubber band, creating 4 elusive and immersive works that float somewhere in the void between experimental electronics, improvisation and song, creating diaphanous tension and mysterious environments; spellbinding. ... Click to View
Tomeka Reid / Joe Morris:
Combinations (RogueArt)
New York and Chicago string improvisers combine for an album of dense abstractions through individual lines that weave between the two players, briefly combining then moving off to independent methods, as guitarist Joe Morris and cellist Tomeka Reid meet in a Brooklyn studio to record ten improvisations, including one each dedicated to their home cities. ... Click to View
Charlotte Greve / Vinnie Sperrazza / Chris Tordini:
The Choir Invisible (Intakt)
The first recording for the New York-based trio formed in 2017 by Germany/NY saxophonist Charlotte Greve, and Brooklyn-based bassist Chris Trodini and drummer Vinnie Sperazza, all three composing for the band as they integrate composed structures and improvised sections with an ear towards lyrical interplay, create a diverse and optimistic first outing of buoyant jazz. ... Click to View
Christoph Irniger Trio (w / Raffaele Bossard / Ziv Ravitz):
Open City (Intakt)
Swiss saxophonist, composer extends his long-running trio of bassist Raffaele Bossard and drummer Ziv Ravitz with Brooklyn alto saxophonist Loren Stillmand and German trombonist Nils Wogram, combining arrangement and improvisation in the jazz tradition, performed with inventive clarity and a strong regard for melody, for an upbeat and creative album of modern jazz. ... Click to View
Ernesto Rodrigues / Miguel Almeida / Andre Lanca / Bernardo Alvares / Felice Furioso:
Un Seul Regard Le Chant Petri De Beaute Un Mot Vert (Creative Sources)
Acoustic and sublime minimal acoustic improvisation with an emphasis on strings from the Portuguese quintet of Ernesto Rodrigues on viola, Miguel Almeida on acoustic guitar, Andre Lanca on electric guitar, Bernardo Alvares on double bass, and Felice Furioso on percussion, performing live during the Small Format Materials Festival at Galeria Monumental, in Lisbon. ... Click to View
Sun Ra And His Outer Space Arkestra:
A Fire Side Chat With Lucifer [VINYL] (Modern Harmonic)
This 1983 Saturn Research LP presents two sides of the Sun Ra Arkestra, the first side with the 80's classics "Nuclear War" along with "Retrospect" and "Makeup"; the second side presenting the extended and more experimental "A Fireside Chat with Lucifer", a 20 minute well balanced, open framework that allows for both melodic soloing and extended free exchanges. ... Click to View
John Blum / Jackson Krall:
Duplexity (Relative Pitch)
A dynamic and red-hot album of free improvisation from two New York legends--pianist John Blum and drummer/percussionist Jackson Krall--both in jaw-dropping form as they present two extended improvisations, "Blood and Bone" and "Wind and Wing", appropriate for the energy and intense and seemingly physically-defying technical skill each brings to their playing. ... Click to View
Alexander Schlippenbach von :
Piano Solo: Slow Pieces for Aki (Intakt)
A graceful and beautiful set of 21 improvisations composed by German pianist and European Free Improv legend Alexander von Schlippenbach for Japanese pianist and von Schlippenbach's spouse Aki Takase, emphasizing a lyrical and passionate deceleration of his profound technical skills to ring lyrically and even romantically as he expresses Takase's musical portrait. ... Click to View
OM (Urs Leimgruber / Christy Doran / Bobby Burri / Fredy Studer) :
It's About Time (Intakt)
Extremely active from 1972-82, then reformed in 2008, and now entering a new phase of their improvisational journey, the OM quartet of Urs Leimgruber on saxophones, Christy Doran on electric guitar, Bobby Burri on double bass, and Fredy Studer on drums & percussion extend their transformative approach to free improv through what they refer to as "ElectroAcoustiCore". ... Click to View
James Lewis Brandon Quartet (w/ Taylor / Ortiz / Jones):
Molecular (Intakt)
Inspired by molecular biology, saxophonist and composer James Brandon Lewis developed a unique system of composing, creating a surprising and beautiful music for the debut of his new quartet with drummer Chad Taylor, pianist Aruán Ortiz, and bassist Brad Jones, bringing lyricism and joyful playing to his sophisticated approach to the jazz tradition. ... Click to View
Sandy Ewen / Damon Smith / Weasel Walter :
ST (ugEXPLODE)
Four unorthodox improvisations that evade idiomatic playing through "wantonly abstract" and unusual approaches to their instruments, keeping their listeners guessing where their playing might take them, from frequent collaborators Sandy Ewen on guitar, Damon Smith on bass, and Weasel Walter on drums & percussion, recording in the studio in Brooklyn, 2019. ... Click to View
Chris Pitsiokos / Javier Areal Velez / Kevin Murray:
First Blush (1039 Records)
Intended originally as a solo performance related to NY saxophonist Chris Pitsiokos' Relative Pitch release Speak In Tongues, Pitsiokos decided instead to expand the gig to a trio with assertive and demanding players Kevin Murray on drums & objects, and Argentinian guitarist Javier Areal Vélez, recording this savagely fun EP in the process. ... Click to View
George Lewis (w/ Derek Bailey / Douglas Ewart / Joelle Leandre / Steve Lacy):
Rainbow Family (Carrier Records)
Recordings from 3 days of live performances in May, 1984 at the Institut de Recherche et de Coordination Acoustique/Musique (IRCAM) in France, using AACM legend and computer music innovator George Lewis' interactive virtual improvisor sytem Rainbow Family in virtual duo, trio and quartet settings with Douglas Ewart, Joelle Leandre, Derek Bailey & Steve Lacy. ... Click to View
Diceros:
Symbolic Boundary (Creative Sources)
An electroacoustic octet drawn from the collaborative community surrounding Creative Sources, captured live during the Small Format Materials Festival at Galeria Monumental, in Lisbon in 2019, a subtle and substantial work of intimate tension and quietly detailed interaction, seemingly minimalistic yet dynamically a narrative evolution of sublime patience. ... Click to View
Joel Futterman / Ike Levin Trio featuring Kash Killion:
LifeLine (Charles Lester Music)
An intense and flexible exploration in free jazz from the West Coast trio of pianist Joel Futterman, saxophonist and bass clarinetist Ike Levin and cellist Kash Killion, Futterman also performing on curved soprano saxophone & wooden Indian flute, and Killion on African Wooden whistle, adding world elements to an intellectually energetic album worthy of Dolphy, Rivers, &c. ... Click to View
Oceans Roar 1000 Drums:
[VINYL] (Sacred Realism)
Their first proper vinyl release since forming in 2008, this studio album recorded in Berlin finds Berlin saxophonist and electronic artist Bryan Eubanks, double bassist Andrew Lafkas, and NY drummer & cymbal player Tod Capp in an extended and dark improvisation, with Catherine Lamb's "secondary rainbow synthesizer" interacting and filtering their work as a 4th member. ... Click to View
