The Squid's Ear
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Recently @ The Squid's Ear...


Mats Gustafsson / Ken Vandermark / Tomeka Reid / Chad Taylor: Pivot (Silkheart) Mats Gustafsson / Ken Vandermark / Tomeka Reid / Chad Taylor - Pivot
(Silkheart)
- Andrey Henkin


Elliott Sharp / Scott Fields: Réimsí Géara  (Reimsi Geara) (Relative Pitch) Elliott Sharp / Scott Fields - Réimsí Géara (Reimsi Geara)
(Relative Pitch)
- Massimo Ricci



Queen Bee, Mezzacappa and The Bay Area:  () Queen Bee, Mezzacappa and The Bay Area  

Thanos Chrysakis: Psyche (Eternal Music Projects) Thanos Chrysakis - Psyche
(Eternal Music Projects)
- Massimo Ricci


Fred Frith / Shelley Burgon: The Life and Behavior (Relative Pitch) Fred Frith / Shelley Burgon - The Life and Behavior
(Relative Pitch)
- Paul Serralheiro


CHANGES TO blind: Volume 9: I Wave on a Fine Vile Mist (Squidco) CHANGES TO blind - Volume 9: I Wave on a Fine Vile Mist
(Squidco)
- Paul Serralheiro


Michel Doneda / Le Quan Ninh / Nuria Andorra: El Retorn De L'Escolata (Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!)) Michel Doneda / Le Quan Ninh / Nuria Andorra - El Retorn De L'Escolata
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
- Dave Madden


Rutger Zuydervelt a.k.a. Machinefabriek: The Squid's Ear Interview () Rutger Zuydervelt a.k.a. Machinefabriek   - The Squid's Ear Interview

The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters: S/T (Corbett vs. Dempsey) The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters - S/T
(Corbett vs. Dempsey)
- Nick Ostrum


Jaap Blonk: The Squid's Ear Interview () Jaap Blonk   - The Squid's Ear Interview

Sylvie Courvoisier and Mary Halvorson: Bone Bells (Pyroclastic Records) Sylvie Courvoisier and Mary Halvorson - Bone Bells
(Pyroclastic Records)
- Paul Serralheiro


Joe Henderson: Our Thing to In 'N Out Revisited (ezz-thetics by Hat Hut, Ltd.) Joe Henderson - Our Thing to In 'N Out Revisited
(ezz-thetics by Hat Hut, Ltd.)
- Paul Serralheiro


Jason Kao Hwang: The Squid's Ear Interview () Jason Kao Hwang   - The Squid's Ear Interview

AMM and Sachiko M: Testing (Matchless Recordings) AMM and Sachiko M - Testing
(Matchless Recordings)
- Nick Ostrum


Thelonious Monk with Sonny Rollins: 1953 To 1957 Revisited (ezz-thetics by Hat Hut, Ltd.) Thelonious Monk with Sonny Rollins - 1953 To 1957 Revisited
(ezz-thetics by Hat Hut, Ltd.)
- Paul Serralheiro


Mark Wastell: The Squid's Ear Interview () Mark Wastell   - The Squid's Ear Interview

Dave Burrell / Sam Woodyard: The Lost Session: Paris 1979 (NoBusiness) Dave Burrell / Sam Woodyard - The Lost Session: Paris 1979
(NoBusiness)
- Andrey Henkin


Frequency Disasters: Naize (Confront Recordings) Frequency Disasters - Naize
(Confront Recordings)
- John Eyles


Tatsuya Nakatani: The Squid's Ear Interview () Tatsuya Nakatani   - The Squid's Ear Interview

Sophie Agnel: Song (Relative Pitch) Sophie Agnel - Song
(Relative Pitch)
- Brian Olewnick


Rhodri Davies: Telyn Wrachiod (Amgen) Rhodri Davies - Telyn Wrachiod
(Amgen)
- John Eyles


Luke Martin: To Be Worthy of Pessoa (Editions Verde) Luke Martin - To Be Worthy of Pessoa
(Editions Verde)
- Brian Olewnick


Emil Karlsen: The Squid's Ear Interview () Emil Karlsen   - The Squid's Ear Interview

Ava Mendoza / Gabby Fluke-Mogul / Carolina Perez: Mama Killa (Burning Ambulance Music) Ava Mendoza / Gabby Fluke-Mogul / Carolina Perez - Mama Killa
(Burning Ambulance Music)
- Andrey Henkin


Jim Denley / Peter Farrar / Dale Gorfinkel: Vents (Relative Pitch) Jim Denley / Peter Farrar / Dale Gorfinkel - Vents
(Relative Pitch)
- Brian Olewnick


Cecil Taylor / Tony Oxley: Flashing Spirits (Burning Ambulance Music) Cecil Taylor / Tony Oxley - Flashing Spirits
(Burning Ambulance Music)
- Ken Waxman


Pellegrini Quartet: Luigi Nono Fragmente - Stille, an Diotima; Ludwig van Beethoven Streichquartett a-moll op. 132, First Visit (ezz-thetics by Hat Hut Records Ltd.) Pellegrini Quartet - Luigi Nono Fragmente - Stille, an Diotima; Ludwig van Beethoven Streichquartett a-moll op. 132, First Visit
(ezz-thetics by Hat Hut Records Ltd.)
- John Eyles


Joel Futterman: Reflective (Squid Note Records) Joel Futterman   - Reflective   (Squid Note Records)

Joel Futterman: Absorb (Squid Note Records) Joel Futterman   - Absorb   (Squid Note Records)

Brandon Seabrook: Object Of Unknown Function (Pyroclastic Records) Brandon Seabrook - Object Of Unknown Function
(Pyroclastic Records)
- Jeph Jerman


Jean-Jacques Birge: Pique-nique Au Labo 4 (GRRR) Jean-Jacques Birge - Pique-nique Au Labo 4
(GRRR)
- Ken Waxman


Karl Evangelista: The Squid's Ear Interview () Karl Evangelista   - The Squid's Ear Interview

Giovanni Maier / Alexander Hawkins: Two For Keith (Long Song Records) Giovanni Maier / Alexander Hawkins - Two For Keith
(Long Song Records)
- Ken Waxman


Josh Sinton: The Squid's Ear Interview () Josh Sinton   - The Squid's Ear Interview

GPS (Guillermo Gregorio / Jeff Pearring / Charley Sabatino): Directions + Destinations (577 Records) GPS (Guillermo Gregorio / Jeff Pearring / Charley Sabatino) - Directions + Destinations
(577 Records)
- Ken Waxman


Kory Reeder / Apartment House: Homestead (Another Timbre) Kory Reeder / Apartment House - Homestead
(Another Timbre)
- Jeph Jerman


Paul Flaherty: A Willing Passenger (Relative Pitch) Paul Flaherty - A Willing Passenger
(Relative Pitch)
- Andrey Henkin


Motoharu Yoshizawa / Kim Dae Hwan: Way Of The Breeze (No Business) Motoharu Yoshizawa / Kim Dae Hwan - Way Of The Breeze
(No Business)
- Jeph Jerman


David Myers: The Squid's Ear Interview () David Myers   - The Squid's Ear Interview

John Butcher / Phil Durrant / Mark Wastell: Around the Square, Above the Hill (Confront) John Butcher / Phil Durrant / Mark Wastell - Around the Square, Above the Hill
(Confront)
- Brian Olewnick


Eddie Prevost: The Squid's Ear Interview () Eddie Prevost   - The Squid's Ear Interview

Stian Larsen / Colin Webster / Ruth Goller / Andrew Lisle: Temple of Muses (Relative Pitch) Stian Larsen / Colin Webster / Ruth Goller / Andrew Lisle - Temple of Muses
(Relative Pitch)
- Ken Waxman


Natsuki Tamura / Satoko Fujii / Ramon Lopez: Yama Kawa Umi (Not Two) Natsuki Tamura / Satoko Fujii / Ramon Lopez - Yama Kawa Umi
(Not Two)
- Marc Medwin


Lisa Mezzacappa: The Squid's Ear Interview () Lisa Mezzacappa   - The Squid's Ear Interview

Schick / Tuerlickx / Zoepf: Ensemble A (Confront) Schick / Tuerlickx / Zoepf - Ensemble A
(Confront)
- Marc Medwin


Matt Mitchell: The Squid's Ear Interview () Matt Mitchell   - The Squid's Ear Interview

Sophie Agnel / John Butcher: Rare (Les Disques Victo) Sophie Agnel / John Butcher - Rare
(Les Disques Victo)
- Andrey Henkin


Damon Smith: The Squid's Ear Interview () Damon Smith   - The Squid's Ear Interview

Alexander von Schlippenbach / Dag Magnus Narvesen Duo: Kairos (Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!)) Alexander von Schlippenbach / Dag Magnus Narvesen Duo - Kairos
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
- Andrey Henkin


Lotte Anker / Kamil Piotrowicz / Jacob Anderskov: Antiworld I (Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!)) Lotte Anker / Kamil Piotrowicz / Jacob Anderskov - Antiworld I
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
- Ken Waxman


Killick Hinds: The Squid's Ear Interview () Killick Hinds   - The Squid's Ear Interview

Isotope Ensemble: Caesium (Creative Sources) Isotope Ensemble - Caesium
(Creative Sources)
- Ken Waxman


Satoko Fujii: The Squid's Ear Interview () Satoko Fujii   - The Squid's Ear Interview

Dennis Egberth: The Dennis Egberth Dynasty (577 Records) Dennis Egberth - The Dennis Egberth Dynasty
(577 Records)
- Paul Serralheiro


Barry Chabala: The Squid's Ear Interview () Barry Chabala   - The Squid's Ear Interview





See All Reviews & Articles...


Natural Information Society (Abrams / Alvarado / Avery / Stein):
Perseverance Flow (AGUIRRE RECORDS)

Returning to its core quartet, Natural Information Society — Joshua Abrams, Lisa Alvarado, Mikel Patrick Avery, and Jason Stein — unfolds a single continuous composition of hypnotic polyrhythms and evolving textures, merging minimalism, modal jazz, and dub-inspired production into a richly layered soundfield that pulses with meditative intensity, collective focus, and transcendent rhythmic flow. ... Click to View


Russ Lossing:
Proximity Alert (Blaser Music)

Joined by bassist Mark Helias and drummer Eric McPherson, pianist Russ Lossing presents a deeply intuitive trio performance that balances structure and freedom, unfolding through intricate yet unforced improvisations that reveal profound emotional depth, rhythmic sensitivity, and melodic imagination, affirming his mastery of spontaneous musical dialogue and expressive subtlety. ... Click to View


Thollem:
Worlds in a Life, Two (ESP-Disk)

Reimagining sounds from his past collaborations with Nels Cline, Pauline Oliveros, William Parker, Terry Riley, and Michael Wimberly, Thollem transforms their performances into new sonic landscapes through real-time improvisation using samples from their improvisations, blending organic and electronic textures into a kaleidoscopic exploration of memory, transformation, and infinite creative possibility. ... Click to View


Kesherul Neg Pineg:
The Book Of Pig [VINYL] (Tour de Bras)

The long-running duo between Czech trumpeter and electronics artist Petr Vrba and French drummer Peter Orins, blends ritualistic reductionism with psychedelic grooves, extended trumpet techniques, analog synthesis, and prepared percussion to create a hypnotic and unpredictable soundscape, full of frenetic energy, atmospheric tension, and sudden dynamic shifts. ... Click to View


Expanse:
Loud & Furious Tongues (Evil Clown)

An extraordinary collective improvisation uniting David Peck, Michael Caglianone, John Fugarino, Robin Amos, Jonathan LaMaster, and Michael Knoblach, merging woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, and electronic instruments in a fluid and intricately balanced dialogue that juxtaposes turbulence and calm, unfolding with expansive textures, measured intensity, and vivid sonic interplay. ... Click to View


Metal Chaos Ensemble:
Ephemerol (Evil Clown)

Featuring David Peck, John Fugarino, Bob Moores, Eric Woods, and Mike Gruen, this edition of Metal Chaos Ensemble merges horns, electronics, and metallic percussion in a dense improvisational landscape where shifting textures, resonant drones, and abstract rhythmic interplay create an evolving sound world of raw intensity, shimmering atmosphere, and inventive sonic dialogue. ... Click to View


Turbulence Orchestra:
Density Fluctuation (Evil Clown)

An eight-piece horn and electronics ensemble featuring David Peck, Hilary Noble, Cliff White, Dennis Livingston, John Fugarino, Bob Moores, Eric Dahlman, and Duane Reed, creating a vividly shifting chamber improvisation where reeds and brass intertwine with auxiliary percussion and electronics, generating dynamic waves of color, density, and resonance in a constantly evolving acoustic spectrum. ... Click to View


Sophie Agnel / Joke Lanz:
Ella (Klanggalerie)

An exciting meeting of French pianist Sophie Agnel, known for her extended and prepared piano techniques, and Swiss turntablist Joke Lanz, renowned for his work in noise, experimental music, and performance art, presenting a dynamic and playful duo of spontaneous improvisation blending percussive textures, sonic collage, and energetic interaction revealing a sense of humor and awe. ... Click to View


Sopa Boba:
That Moment (Sub Rosa)

Blending spoken word, modern classical strings, and harsh modular synths, Belgian/Dutch ensemble Sopa Boba crafts a striking electronic-orchestral oratorio based on Moldavian writer Nicoleta Esinencu's That Moment, unraveling a dark, satirical narrative of capitalist excess through seven gripping movements that merge caustic irony with haunting sonic textures. ... Click to View


John Zorn (Edgcomb / Greene / Hanes):
The Bagatelles Vol. 3 Trigger (Tzadik)

The third volume in John Zorn's Bagatelles series features the explosive trio Trigger — Aaron Edgcomb on drums, Will Greene on guitar, and Simon Hanes on bass — tearing through Zorn's intricate compositions with fierce precision and raw energy, delivering a searing and radical interpretation of these works drawn from Zorn's expansive 2015 collection of 300 pieces. ... Click to View


Weston Olencki :
Pearls Ground Down To Powder [VINYL] (Full Spectrum)

Weston Olencki deconstructs and reimagines the banjo across two longform compositions, transforming it into a percussive, polyrhythmic engine and a harmonic resonator, navigating glitch-driven algorithmic textures and richly detuned sonorities, juxtaposing the kinetic, minimalist grooves of "The Rocks Are Different, Here" with the spectral, ring-modulated drones of "Brothers". ... Click to View


111 (Michelle / Villamil):
Live at Opus 40 [CASSETTE + DOWNLOAD] (Notice Recordings)

The duo of Chantal Michelle and Grace Villamil transform the monumental land sculpture of Opus 40 into a resonant instrument, layering voice and electronics with field recordings and audience interactions to create an immersive, spatially dynamic performance of ambient tension and sonic obliteration, masterfully teetering between composed sound, environmental resonance, and blooming noise. ... Click to View


La Noed (w/ Carlos Mascolo):
De la liberte (FMR)

Inspired by Maggie Nelson's reflections on freedom, this intuitive and boundary-defying quintet — featuring saxophonists Simona Castria and Angelo Manicone, Carlo Mascolo on no-input trombone, Valerio Metteo on organismic synthesizers, and João Pedro Viegas on bass clarinet — explores collective improvisation as a form of resistance, creating a deeply expressive tapestry untethered from ego or hierarchy. ... Click to View


Helene Sage :
Les Araignees (GRRR)

An imaginative and genre-defying return from Hélène Sage in an eclectic blend of songs, jazz-inflected fanfares, and humorous yet critical texts performed in multiple languages, featuring a striking ensemble of avant-garde musicians whose voices, instruments, and unconventional approaches craft a surreal and adventurous sonic world; of interest to RIO fans. ... Click to View


Pied De Poule:
Indiscretion (GRRR)

Merging jazz, tango, waltz, blues, chanson, and contemporary vocal experimentation, Michèle Buirette (accordion), Geneviève Cabannes (double bass), and Dominique Fonfrède (voice) craft an inventive and modern soundscape, combining traditional melodies with experimental techniques in an album that is melodic yet unpredictable, exploring themes with a blend of humor, depth, and originality. ... Click to View


Nathan Clevenger Group:
Astrolabe (Queen Bee Records)

Reinventing his compositional voice, Clevenger charts a reflective and lyrical suite for a deep Bay Area ensemble, the writing balancing chamber-like colour and improvisational space as reeds, low flutes, brass, cello, vibes, marimba, drums and bass articulate an expansive journey of personal discovery and renewed purpose. ... Click to View


Ohad Talmor w/Chris Tordini / Eric Mcpherson + Guests:
Back To The Land [2 CDs] (Intakt)

Drawing inspiration from rediscovered 1998 Ornette Coleman rehearsal tapes and the spirit of Dewey Redman, tenor saxophonist and composer Ohad Talmor opens a new artistic cycle with his core trio of Chris Tordini and Eric McPherson plus a remarkable array of guests, creating kaleidoscopic variations that merge composed forms, liberated improvisation, and subtly deployed electronics. ... Click to View


Sylvie Courvoisier / Wadada Leo Smith:
Angel Falls (Intakt)

Swiss pianist Sylvie Courvoisier and legendary trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith meet in a deeply focused duo session, their through-composed material unfolding with stunning restraint, architectural clarity, and a quiet but potent freedom, as each phrase, gesture, and interval feels acutely calibrated in a shared space of mystery, immediacy, and poetic intent. ... Click to View


Fred Frith / Maria Portugal:
Matter (Intakt)

Uniting from different continents and generations, guitarist and vocalist Fred Frith and drummer, percussionist, and vocalist Maria Portugal meet in Cologne for four improvised stretches that blend song form, rhythmic invention, exploratory textures, and creative voice work, revealing a shared musical language that dissolves genre boundaries into a vivid, unpredictable exchange. ... Click to View


Evan Parker / Joelle Leandre:
Long Bright Summer (RogueArt)

Drawing on decades of fearless improvising, saxophonist Evan Parker and bassist Joëlle Léandre engage in an intense and unfiltered acoustic dialogue recorded live in France, their shared language enabling lightning reactions, extended techniques, surges of density and flow, hushed textural intimacy, and moments where Léandre's wordless voice merges seamlessly into their spontaneous interplay. ... Click to View


Insect Life:
Insect Life (577 Records)

Born from weekly sessions in Oakland, this adventurous sextet of winds, cello, drums, and electronics channels old-school improvisational spirit into a modern orchestral sound that feels both cosmic and grounded, as spontaneous grooves, abstract textures, and Zachary James Watkins' remix work expand their collective language into a vibrant, deeply inventive debut. ... Click to View


Webber/Morris Big Band:
Unseparate [VINYL 2 LPs] (Out Of Your Head Records)

Five years after their debut, co-leaders Anna Webber and Angela Morris return with a 19-piece large ensemble recording that showcases their next-level compositional voices, unfolding through the "Just Intonation Etudes for Big Band" suite and a series of richly orchestrated works that balance drones, contrapuntal density, rhythmic blasts, and lyrical themes in an adventurous exploration of sound and structure. ... Click to View


Mary Halvorson Amaryllis:
About Ghosts (Nonesuch)

Expanding her Amaryllis ensemble with the addition of saxophonists Immanuel Wilkins and Brian Settles, guitarist and composer Mary Halvorson presents eight new works, balancing spectral beauty and sly unease as vibraphone, layered brass, flexible grooves, and her singular harmonic distortions cohere into a richly orchestrated and restlessly inventive large-ensemble statement. ... Click to View


Donny McCaslin:
Lullaby For The Lost [VINYL] (Editions)

With longtime collaborators Jason Lindner, Ben Monder, Tim Lefebvre, Zach Danziger, Nate Wood, Ryan Dahle, and Jonathan Maron, visionary saxophonist Donny McCaslin channels the raw intensity of improvised jams into a cinematic, high-energy sound world, blending jazz with rock, electronica, and soulful urgency, a fierce and timeless statement. ... Click to View


Don Ellis:
The 1960s Albums [4 CD BOX SET] (Enlightenment)

Collecting eight albums from the early to late '60s, this generous four-CD set surveys the groundbreaking work of trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Don Ellis, tracing his evolution from post-bop experiments with shifting metric structures into large-ensemble innovation infused with global rhythms, expanded instrumentations, and a fiercely exploratory imagination. ... Click to View


Neurodivergent Orchestra:
The Point of Science is Making Things Explode (Evil Clown)

Centred on improvised spoken absurdism about science and monsters, this Boston septet's playful humour drives a sprawling electro-acoustic free improvisation, each player shifting between wild sonorities, noise sources, rubber chickens and synthesised colour as PEK steers the Neurodivergent Orchestra through a gleefully chaotic sonic experiment. ... Click to View


Turbulence Orchestra & Sub-Units:
Crescendo of the Tempest [2 CDs] (Evil Clown)

Conducted by PEK using an expanded system of graphic signs, cue windows and directional frames, this large Turbulence Orchestra realises a continuous narrative of shifting density, guided entrances and exits, and evolving instrumentation, the players responding in real time to PEK's visual triggers to create a vivid, shape-shifting electro-acoustic improvisation. ... Click to View


Leap Of Faith:
Disentangling The Spin (Evil Clown)

Improvised live at Evil Clown HQ in Massachusetts this chamber-sized quartet + live processing version of Leap of Faith spins from airy quietude to dense noise, each multi-instrumentalist shifting timbres and extended techniques through a fluid electro-acoustic soundworld of horns, reeds, percussion, signal processing and inventive instrumental colour. ... Click to View


Don Cherry / Krzysztof Penderecki:
Actions [VINYL 180g] (Intuition)

Recorded live at the Donaueschingen Music Festival in 1971, this extraordinary collaboration between Don Cherry, Krzysztof Penderecki, and The New Eternal Rhythm Orchestra merges free jazz with avant-garde composition, blending fiery improvisation, unconventional orchestrations and global influences into a powerful experience that challenges traditional genre boundaries. ... Click to View


John Butcher / Ute Wassermann / Martin Blume :
Leaflight: Close Calls (FMR)

In a live Cologne performance the trio of Butcher (reeds), Wassermann (voice & bird-calls) and Blume (drums/percussion) transform ambient impulse and acoustic detail into a series of "close-call" ensemble gestures, where bird-like vocal fragments, saxophone multiphonics and micro-percussion co-here in porous space, yielding an improvised chamber of attentiveness, ecological flux and sonic shadow play. ... Click to View





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