Joe Morris
Perpetual Frontier The Properties of Free Music [BOOK]
(Riti Publishing)
Joe Morris wrote this book to discuss aspects of free music, including responses to his questionnaire written by Joe McPhee, William Parker, Jamie Saft, Ken Vandermark, Marilyn Crispell, Nate Wooley, Jack Wright, Matthew Shipp, &c.

Marion Brown
Capricorn Moon To Juba Lee (remastered)
(Hat Hut Ezz-Thetics)
Merging and remastering two essential albums from free jazz saxophonist Marion Brown: his 1966 ESP album "Marion Brown Quartet" with trumpeter Alan Shorter, bassist Reggie Johnson and percussionist Rahied Ali; and his 1967 Fontana album "Juba-Lee" in a septet with Reggie Johnson, drummer Beaver Harris, pianist Dave Burrell, trombonist Grachan Moncur III & saxophonist Bennie Maupin.

From Wolves To Whales (Rempis / Wooley / Niggenkemper / Corsano)
Strandwal [2 CDs]
(Aerophonic)
The 2nd release from the quartet of cutting edge improvisers--Nate Wooley on trumpet, Dave Rempis on saxophone, Pascal Niggenkemper on bass, and Chris Corsano on drums--presents a complete concert during their Fall 2017 European tour, performing in the city of Haarlem near Amsterdam in a wide-ranging concert of incredible technique and intrepid playing.

Jimmy Giuffre 3 (w / Bley / Swallow)
Graz Live 1961
(Hat Hut Ezz-Thetics)
After introducing his new trio with pianist Paul Bley and double bassist Steve Swallow in two 1961 albums on Verve, clarinetist Jimmy Giuffre embarked on a tour of Europe, this recently discovered, well-recorded concert in Graf, Austria the perfect example of his unique concepts yielding intensely focused, harmonically challenging, rhythmically abstract, and exquisite chamber jazz.

Albert Ayler Quartets
Spirits To Ghosts (remastered)
(Hat Hut Ezz-Thetics)
Three variations of quartet settings from iconoclastic free jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler, remastering and combining two Debut Records albums, "Spirits" from 1964 with Norman Howard (trumpet), Sunny Murray (drums), and alternating bass between Henry Grimes & Earle Henderson; and 1965's "Ghosts" on Debut Records with Don Cherry (trumpet), Gary Peacock (bass), and Sunny Murray.

Rempis / Abrams / Ra + Baker
Apsis
(Aerophonic)
"Apsis" makes permanent this Chicago band's expansion from the trio of Dave Rempis on saxophones, Joshua Abrams on bass, and Avreeayl Ra on drums & percussion with pianist & synth player Jim Baker, first heard on "Perihelion", as the 3rd album demonstrates the power and articulate strength of all four through extended and energetic improvisations of great modern jazz.

Tiger Trio (Leandre / Melford / Mitchel)
Map of Liberation
(RogueArt)
Born from the duo of Chicago flutist Nicole Mitchell and French bassist Joelle Leandre ("Sisters Where") and brought together by Myra Melford, this is the 2nd album from their Tiger Trio formation, joining profound skill, unusual creative intent, ferociously authoritative conversation, shrewd wit, and an innate sense of balance to 11 succinct collective improvisations.

Joe McPhee / Lol Coxhill / Chris Corsano / Evan Parker
Tree Dancing
(Otoroku)
A 2010 recording at London's Cafe Oto by the London / New York quartet of Lol Coxhill on soprano saxophone, Evan Parker on saxophones, Joe McPhee on saxophones, and Chris Corsano on drums & percussion, with McPhee introducing the set and starting with a tribute to Ornette Coleman, as the four perform seven intense "dances" as duos, trios and full quartet.

Rob Mazurek
Desert Encrypts Vol. 1
(Astral Spirits)
The third volume in trumpeter Rob Mazurek's Marfa Trilogy, inspired by the desert surroundings of Marfa, TX where Mazurek held his first Desert Encrypts Festival, this album captured live with the superb quartet of Kris Davis on piano, Chad Taylor on drums, and Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten on bass, for 6 passionate and compelling works of modern jazz.

After Dinner
Souvenir Cassette (2019)
(Fish Prints)
Originally released in 1988 in limited cassette and LP editions and comprising live recordings from performances in 1987, the Japanese avant rock band After Dinner with vocalist Haco merged Japanese traditional music and electronics in sublime ways, their live performances a great reflection of their recorded albums, here impeccably remastered by Bob Drake.

Somersaults (Olie Brice / Tobias Delius / Mark Sanders)
Numerology of Birdsong
(West Hill Records)
Having supported Paul Dunmall, Evan Parker, Mikolaj Trzaska, Ken Vandermark, &c., the UK rhythm section of Olie Brice on double bass and Mark Sanders on drums joined forces for their own Somersaults trio with tenor saxophonist Tobias Delius (ICP), this second album an example of their buoyant, optimistically playful and melodically charged free improvisation.

Derek Bailey / Han Bennink / Evan Parker
Topographie Parisienne [4 CDs]
(Fou Records)
Recorded in 1981 by audio engineer and label owner Jean-Marc Foussat, the trio of guitarist Derek Bailey, saxophonist Evan Parker, and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Han Bennink are heard in an amazing evening of performance at 28 rue Dunois, in Paris, France, in duo and trio configurations, exploring material similar to Parker's "Topography of the Lungs"; essential.

Richard Pinhas / Tatsuya Yoshida
Ascension
(Magaibutsu Limited)
The collaboration between Magaibutsu label leader, Yoshida Tatsuya (Ruins, Korekyojinn, Koenji, The World Heritage, &c) on drums, keyboards & voice, and Heldon mastermind Richard Pinhas on guitar & effects, continues with this CD of live material from their 2014 Japanese tour, extending the 2015 "Live in Japan" album, including the 8-part "Ascension".

Jeph Jerman / Steve Jansen
Third
(Not On Label)
The third release from the US Southwest audio exploring duo of Steve Jansen and Jeph Jerman, expanding on their previous cassette releases with two works recorded in Cottonwood, AZ and Phoenix, AZ; curious and compelling sonic environments using unidentifiable sound sources that layer and intertwine, each building and receding enigmatically.

Jeph Jerman
Voiced [CS w/BOOK]
(Fidgety Editions)
Originally released on cassette on the Netherlands Counter Culture Chronicles label, this expanded and revised edition of Jerman's confounding album of fragmented vocal collage along with voices, hiss, birds, snippets of radio broadcasts and other field recordings, includes a 72-page book of texts and recording information, a unique and confounding album of sound.

Albert Ayler Quintet
Stockholm, Berlin 1966
(Hatology)
In 1966 Albert Ayler toured Europe with his quintet, as heard on these beautifully remastered recordings from Berlin and Stockholm; inspired and spiritual free jazz.

Franz Koglmann Septet (w / Clark / Arcari / D'Agaro / Turkovic / Pasztor / Herbert)
Fruits Of Solitude
(Hat Hut Ezz-Thetics)
With a superb septet of improvisers also versed in contemporary music, trumpeter Franz Koglmann presents sophisticated compositions that interject the concept of "solitude" in the three-part title track, alongside Koglmann compositions and Jimmy Giuffre's "Finger Snapper", using striking orchestration of trumpet, sax, clarinet, bassoon, oboe, french horn, cello and double bass.

Barry Guy
Blue Horizon. Barry Guy@70 (Live At The Ad Libitum Festival 2017) [3 CDs]
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
Three astonishing concerts on 3 consecutive nights at the Ad Libitum Festival 2017 in Warsaw, Poland from British bassist Barry Guy in 3 configurations: 1st in a duo with Spanish pianist Agusti Fernandez; 2nd in a trio with US pianist Marilyn Crispell and British drummer Paul Lytton; and 3rd in a double bass duo with French bassist Joelle Leandre.

William Parker / In Order To Survive
Live / Shapeshifter [2 CDs]
(Aum Fidelity)
Presenting both sets of the second night of bassist William Parker's concerts at Brooklyn's ShapeShifter Lab with his group In Order to Survive of pianist Cooper-Moore, alto saxophonist Rob Brown and drummer Hamid Drake, an extraordinary event that featured all new Parker compositions, including an extended suite for late trombonist Grachan Moncur III.

Agusti Fernandez Trio (w. William Parker / Susie Ibarra)
One Night At The Joan Miro Foundation
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
A formidable meeting of three powerhouses of modern creative improvisation of diverse backgrounds -- Filipina-American drummer/percussionist Susie Ibarra, legendary New York bassist William Parker, and Spanish pianist Agusti Fernandez, in a spirited, masterful and stunning live performance at the Joan Miro Foundation in Barcelona recorded in 1998.

Charles Gayle / John Edwards / Mark Sanders
Seasons Changing [2 CDs]
(Otoroku)
Recorded at Cafe Oto in London in 2017, legendary NY free jazz saxophonist Charles Gayle is joined by masterful free improvisers John Edwards on double bass and Mark Sanders for two live sets, released here in a limited 2-CD album, presenting the fire and range of all three players, from full-on aggressive and confrontational playing to deeply introspective.

Rodrigo Amado / Chris Corsano
No Place To Fall
(Astral Spirits)
Having previously worked together with Joe McPhee and Kent Kessler, this album distills the Portuguese saxophonist Rodrigo Amado and NY drummer/percussionist Chris Corsano to a concentrated sax and drum duo of earnest and edgy playing, bending jazz, free and blues idioms to their will with magnificent technique and power, both clearly elated in their meeting.

Jeb Bishop / Alex Ward / Weasel Walter
Flayed
(ugEXPLODE)
An assertive album of free improv bringing together players from New York (drummer Weasel Walters), London (clarinetist & electric guitarist Alex Ward), and Chicago (trombonist Jeb Bishop), their previous shared projects and cross-genre intentions in rock, hardcore jazz and other experimental forms leading to this wonderfully quirky and masterful album of excoriating free jazz.

Susan Alcorn / Joe McPhee / Ken Vandermark
Invitation To A Dream [VINYL]
(Astral Spirits)
An excellent album of informed free improvisation in the debut of this masterful trio of legendary musicians spread across the US--Joe McPhee on soprano sax & pocket trumpet [NY], Ken Vandermark on tenor sax & clarinet [Chicago], and Susan Alcorn on pedal steel guitar [Texas], a profound album from assertive to introspective playing in seven captivating collective improvisations.

Mark Hanslip / Emil Karlsen
Planish
(Noumenon)
Saxophonist Mark Hanslip and drummer Emil Karlsen, two active figures on the UK free improv and jazz scene, in a sax & drum duo fueled by live performances, here in their first album of informed and exploratory dialog, five works that run the gamut from textural open playing to fiery free jazz, a solid first endeavor and addition to Karlsen's Noumenon label.

Jimmy Giuffre 3 (w / Bley / Swallow)
Graz Live 1961
(Hat Hut Ezz-Thetics)
After introducing his new trio with pianist Paul Bley and double bassist Steve Swallow in two 1961 albums on Verve, clarinetist Jimmy Giuffre embarked on a tour of Europe, this recently discovered, well-recorded concert in Graf, Austria the perfect example of his unique concepts yielding intensely focused, harmonically challenging, rhythmically abstract, and exquisite chamber jazz.

Albert Ayler Quartets
Spirits To Ghosts (remastered)
(Hat Hut Ezz-Thetics)
Three variations of quartet settings from iconoclastic free jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler, remastering and combining two Debut Records albums, "Spirits" from 1964 with Norman Howard (trumpet), Sunny Murray (drums), and alternating bass between Henry Grimes & Earle Henderson; and 1965's "Ghosts" on Debut Records with Don Cherry (trumpet), Gary Peacock (bass), and Sunny Murray.

Rempis / Abrams / Ra + Baker
Apsis
(Aerophonic)
"Apsis" makes permanent this Chicago band's expansion from the trio of Dave Rempis on saxophones, Joshua Abrams on bass, and Avreeayl Ra on drums & percussion with pianist & synth player Jim Baker, first heard on "Perihelion", as the 3rd album demonstrates the power and articulate strength of all four through extended and energetic improvisations of great modern jazz.

Tiger Trio (Leandre / Melford / Mitchel)
Map of Liberation
(RogueArt)
Born from the duo of Chicago flutist Nicole Mitchell and French bassist Joelle Leandre ("Sisters Where") and brought together by Myra Melford, this is the 2nd album from their Tiger Trio formation, joining profound skill, unusual creative intent, ferociously authoritative conversation, shrewd wit, and an innate sense of balance to 11 succinct collective improvisations.

Joe McPhee / Lol Coxhill / Chris Corsano / Evan Parker
Tree Dancing
(Otoroku)
A 2010 recording at London's Cafe Oto by the London / New York quartet of Lol Coxhill on soprano saxophone, Evan Parker on saxophones, Joe McPhee on saxophones, and Chris Corsano on drums & percussion, with McPhee introducing the set and starting with a tribute to Ornette Coleman, as the four perform seven intense "dances" as duos, trios and full quartet.

Rob Mazurek
Desert Encrypts Vol. 1
(Astral Spirits)
The third volume in trumpeter Rob Mazurek's Marfa Trilogy, inspired by the desert surroundings of Marfa, TX where Mazurek held his first Desert Encrypts Festival, this album captured live with the superb quartet of Kris Davis on piano, Chad Taylor on drums, and Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten on bass, for 6 passionate and compelling works of modern jazz.

Somersaults (Olie Brice / Tobias Delius / Mark Sanders)
Numerology of Birdsong
(West Hill Records)
Having supported Paul Dunmall, Evan Parker, Mikolaj Trzaska, Ken Vandermark, &c., the UK rhythm section of Olie Brice on double bass and Mark Sanders on drums joined forces for their own Somersaults trio with tenor saxophonist Tobias Delius (ICP), this second album an example of their buoyant, optimistically playful and melodically charged free improvisation.

Richard Pinhas / Tatsuya Yoshida
Ascension
(Magaibutsu Limited)
The collaboration between Magaibutsu label leader, Yoshida Tatsuya (Ruins, Korekyojinn, Koenji, The World Heritage, &c) on drums, keyboards & voice, and Heldon mastermind Richard Pinhas on guitar & effects, continues with this CD of live material from their 2014 Japanese tour, extending the 2015 "Live in Japan" album, including the 8-part "Ascension".

Jeph Jerman / Steve Jansen
Third
(Not On Label)
The third release from the US Southwest audio exploring duo of Steve Jansen and Jeph Jerman, expanding on their previous cassette releases with two works recorded in Cottonwood, AZ and Phoenix, AZ; curious and compelling sonic environments using unidentifiable sound sources that layer and intertwine, each building and receding enigmatically.

Jeph Jerman
Voiced [CS w/BOOK]
(Fidgety Editions)
Originally released on cassette on the Netherlands Counter Culture Chronicles label, this expanded and revised edition of Jerman's confounding album of fragmented vocal collage along with voices, hiss, birds, snippets of radio broadcasts and other field recordings, includes a 72-page book of texts and recording information, a unique and confounding album of sound.

Albert Ayler Quintet
Stockholm, Berlin 1966
(Hatology)
In 1966 Albert Ayler toured Europe with his quintet, as heard on these beautifully remastered recordings from Berlin and Stockholm; inspired and spiritual free jazz.

Franz Koglmann Septet (w / Clark / Arcari / D'Agaro / Turkovic / Pasztor / Herbert)
Fruits Of Solitude
(Hat Hut Ezz-Thetics)
With a superb septet of improvisers also versed in contemporary music, trumpeter Franz Koglmann presents sophisticated compositions that interject the concept of "solitude" in the three-part title track, alongside Koglmann compositions and Jimmy Giuffre's "Finger Snapper", using striking orchestration of trumpet, sax, clarinet, bassoon, oboe, french horn, cello and double bass.

William Parker / In Order To Survive
Live / Shapeshifter [2 CDs]
(Aum Fidelity)
Presenting both sets of the second night of bassist William Parker's concerts at Brooklyn's ShapeShifter Lab with his group In Order to Survive of pianist Cooper-Moore, alto saxophonist Rob Brown and drummer Hamid Drake, an extraordinary event that featured all new Parker compositions, including an extended suite for late trombonist Grachan Moncur III.

Agusti Fernandez Trio (w. William Parker / Susie Ibarra)
One Night At The Joan Miro Foundation
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
A formidable meeting of three powerhouses of modern creative improvisation of diverse backgrounds -- Filipina-American drummer/percussionist Susie Ibarra, legendary New York bassist William Parker, and Spanish pianist Agusti Fernandez, in a spirited, masterful and stunning live performance at the Joan Miro Foundation in Barcelona recorded in 1998.

Rodrigo Amado / Chris Corsano
No Place To Fall
(Astral Spirits)
Having previously worked together with Joe McPhee and Kent Kessler, this album distills the Portuguese saxophonist Rodrigo Amado and NY drummer/percussionist Chris Corsano to a concentrated sax and drum duo of earnest and edgy playing, bending jazz, free and blues idioms to their will with magnificent technique and power, both clearly elated in their meeting.

Jeb Bishop / Alex Ward / Weasel Walter
Flayed
(ugEXPLODE)
An assertive album of free improv bringing together players from New York (drummer Weasel Walters), London (clarinetist & electric guitarist Alex Ward), and Chicago (trombonist Jeb Bishop), their previous shared projects and cross-genre intentions in rock, hardcore jazz and other experimental forms leading to this wonderfully quirky and masterful album of excoriating free jazz.

Mark Hanslip / Emil Karlsen
Planish
(Noumenon)
Saxophonist Mark Hanslip and drummer Emil Karlsen, two active figures on the UK free improv and jazz scene, in a sax & drum duo fueled by live performances, here in their first album of informed and exploratory dialog, five works that run the gamut from textural open playing to fiery free jazz, a solid first endeavor and addition to Karlsen's Noumenon label.

AMM
An Unintended Legacy [3 CDs]
(Matchless)
A beautiful 3-CD set with a hardcover book presenting 3 full concerts from 2015 & 2016 of the AMM trio configuration of John Tilbury (piano), Keith Rowe (guitar) and Eddie Prevost (percussion). The 70 page book, dedicated to saxophonist Lou Gare, includes an AMM discography, plus photos, and essays by Paige Mitchell and Allen Fisher; Keith Rowe; Eddie Prevost; and Seymour Wright.

The OGJB Quartet (Lake / Haynes / Fonda / Altschul)
Bamako
(Tum)
After more than 10 years of working together, bassist Joe Fonda and drummer Barry Altschul asked saxophonist Oliver Lake and trumpeter Graham Haynes to join in this quartet, their name taken from their first initials, as they present compositions from all four players, plus a poem from Lake, ending with two collective improvisations; a solid and dynamic start to a new quartet.

Keith Tippett
The Unlonely Raindancer
(Discus)
Mujician pianist Keith Tippetts embarked on his first solo tour in 1979, capturing these concert recordings that were originally released in 1980 on vinyl on the Universe Label; long out of print, Discus has revived these extraordinary recordings, showing the incredible technical abilities, endurance, and quick-witted creative powers of this legendary improviser.

Ethnic Heritage Ensemble
Be Known Ancient/Future/Music
(Spiritmuse Records)
Led by Chicago percussionist and AACM member Kahil El'Zabar and founded in 1981, Ethnic Heritage Ensemble releases this album of Afro-centric spiritual jazz, El'Zabar's voice drawing us into the compelling rhythms and grooves he and cellist Ian Maksin provide as foundations for baritone saxophonist Alex Harding and trumpeter Corey Wilkes' profound soloing.

Rob Brown Quartet (w/ Steve Swell / Chris Lightcap / Chad Taylor)
From Here To Hear
(RogueArt)
A strong session from formidable alto saxophonist Rob Brown, presenting six compositions performed with the extraordinary grouping of trombonist Steve Swell, double bassist Chris Lightcap, and drummer Chad Taylor, all beautifully recorded in the studio, showing the incisive soloing of each player as they keep their listeners swinging on the edges of their seats.

Bertrand Denzler
Arc
(Potlatch)
Created by Felicie Bazelaire, CoO is a string ensemble drawn from the French new music ensemble ONCEIM; CoO develops new repertoire for strings, collaborating with composers like Bertrand Denzler, who wrote this innovative composition "Arc" in two parts, a work applying unusual techniques to bowed strings, particularly lower bass tones, for fascinating results.

Whit Dickey / The Tao Quartets
Peace Planet & Box of Light [2 CDs]
(Aum Fidelity)
Two unique and exceptional studio albums with differing quartets from drummer Whit Dickey in a single set: "Peace Planet" with Matthew Shipp (piano), Rob Brown (alto sax) & William Parker (bass) in a thoughtfully flowing set of collective improvisations; and the more propulsive session "Box of Light" with Rob Brown (alto sax), Steve Swell (trombone), & Michael Bisio (bass).

Melaine Dalibert
Cheminant
(elsewhere)
A diverse set of compositions from and performed by French composer Melaine Dalibert in his third solo piano album, presenting active rhythmic to introspective work, exploring harmonics and chord evolution; artwork by David Sylvian, and one piece composed for Sylvian, alongside pieces for elsewhere label leader Yuko Zama, Peter Garland and pianist Reinier van Houdt.

Jerman / Barnes
Versatile Ambience [VINYL]
(IDEA Intermedia)
Without referencing typical genre or style, the collaboration of sound artists Tim Barnes and Jeph Jerman moves a step forward with this 45 RPM LP release of texture and atmosphere, with assistance from Ken Vandermark, Jacob Duncan, Aaron Michael Bulter, Sara Saltau & Bret Berry.

Evan Parker
Evan Parker With Birds - For Steve Lacy [VINYL]
(Treader)

Joe McPhee / Paal Nilssen-Love
Lift Every Voice And Sing [VINYL]
(Smalltown Superjazzz / Actions for Free Jazz)
Smalltown Supersound's sublabel Actions for Free Jazz presents this live concert at Oslo's St. Edmund's Church from the duo of frequent collaborators Joe McPhee on pocket trumpet & tenor saxophone, and Paal Nilssen-Love on drums and percussion, featuring compositions by James Weldon Johnson, Thelonious Monk and Joe McPhee plus two by McPhee and Nilssen-Love.

Ich B!n Nintendo (Winther / Nergaard / Johansen)
Lykke [VINYL]
(Shhpuma)
The Ich Bin Nintendo trio of Christian Skar Winther (guitar & voice), Magnus Skavhaug Nergaard (bass) and Joakim Heibo Johansen (drums) take their improvised noise music into the post-punk world with demanding and energetic music that voices it's power and exultation.

MIR 8 (Andrea Belfi / Werner Dafeldecker / Hilary Jeffery / Tim Wright)
Perihelion [VINYL]
(Shhpuma)
Mir 8 brings electroacoustic artists Andrea Belfi (drums/percussion), Werner Dafeldecker (electroncis, bass), Hilary Jeffrey (trombone) and Tim Wright (computer & electronics) together for their debut album of four cinematic tracks following an abstract narrative through panoramic landscapes.

Filosofer
Landet Er Gitt Oss [VINYL]
(Nakama Records)
An hallucinogenic and commanding blending of improvisation, song, spoken word, and tonal/timbral music from double bassist Christian Meaas Svendsen's Filosofer, creating beautiful sonic environments out of which voice and message emerge and submerge, buoyed by a string quartet (two violins and two double basses), computers, turntables, synths and samplers.

Humcrush (Storlokken / Stronen)
Enter Humcrush [VINYL]
(Shhpuma)
After a six year break, the Humcrush duo of Stale Storlokken on keys and Thomas Stronen on drums & electronics return with this studio album of rhythmic angularities and experimental sound worlds, drawing on their experiences with bands including Supersilent, Food, Elephant9, Time is a blind guide, Meadow and Motorpsycho.

Spring Heel Jack / Wadada Leo Smith / Pat Thomas / Steve Noble
Hackney Road [VINYL]
(Treader)
The Spring Heel Jack duo of guitarist and multi-instrumentalist John Coxon and keyboard & electronics player Ashley Wale are joined by UK improvising masters Pat Thomas on synth, keyboard & theremin, Steve Noble on drums, and US legend Wadada Leo Smith on trumpet, for a six "Scene" album of staggeringly intense improvisation over rich soundscapes; superb.

Spring Heel Jack / Wadada Leo Smith
The Sweetness of the Water [VINYL]
(Treader)
A reissue of their 2004 album, the 4th on Thirsty Ear for the UK group Spring Heel Jack of Ashley Wales on guitar &, electronics, Mark Sanders on drums & timpani, John Coxon on guitar & keys, and John Edwards on bass, joined by Evan Parker on sax & piano, and special guest Wadada Leo Smith on trumpet, for a subtle album of sonic complexities, dramatic power and lyrical poise.

Schlippenbach Quartet
Three Nails Left [VINYL]
(Cien Fuegos)
Essential reissue of pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach's 1975 FMP album with his quartet of free jazz legends Evan Parker on soprano & tenor saxophones, Peter Kowald on double bass, and Paul Lovens on percussion, in a live concert at New Jazz Festival Moers in Germany, 1974, and at Berlin's Quartier Latin in 1975; creative, unpredictable, cathartic, masterful free jazz.

New York Contemporary Five, The
Live at Koncertsal, Copenhagen, 17.10.1963 [VINYL]
(Alternative Fox)
Formed in 1962, the New York Contemporary Five with Don Cherry on trumpet, Archie Shepp & John Tchicai on saxophones, Don Moore on bass, and J.C. Moses on drums, was short lived but their influence long-lasting, this live album from Copenhagen in 1963 a testament to their contribution to 60s free jazz, and a welcome addition to their scant discography.

Matt Weston
A New Form Of Crime
(7272music)
Conceived and constructed over 16 years, composer, electronic artist & percussionist Matt Weston employs graphic and personal notation systems with elements including clandestine recordings in concert halls and athletic buildings while they were not in use, rural field recordings, and the sound of cars driving over a bridge at Weston's conducting; unique and fascinating.

Philip Corner
Gong/Ear: Dance-ing, 1 & 2 [VINYL]
(Roaratorio)
"Gong/Ear" is a decades-long series of improvisations with dancers from Fluxus conspirator Philip Corner, recorded in his NYC loft in 1989, using his favorite Paiste tam-tam to create a feedback loop of perceptions between gong and dance.

Fake the Facts (Dieb13 / Gustafsson / Siewert)
Soundtrack [VINYL]
(Trost Records)
The 4th release from the trio of Mats Gustafsson (sax, shaker, sound); Dieb13 (turntables, klopfer); and Martin Siewert (guitar, ring stinger, electronics) in a fictional soundtrack of 6 remarkable tracks punctuated with unexpected twists and turns.

Rempis / Marhaug Duo
Naancore [VINYL]
(Aerophonic)
Chicago saxophonist Dave Rempis meets Oslo sound artist Lasse Marhaug for an improvised session yielding two intertwining tracks of extreme free playing pitting two like-minded collaborators in a noise scuffle of electronic storms and skronky sax runs.

Ghost Trees
The New Gravity [VINYL]
(Future Recordings)
The 1st proper Ghost Trees full-length release from the duo of Brent Bagwell on tenor sax and Seth Nanaa on drums, presenting 8 songs honed during a year-long, cross-country tour, with the duo in tight communication in restrained and assertive improv with a wide range of influences.

Giovanni Di Domenico / Peter Jacquemyn / Chris Corsano
A Little Off The Top [VINYL]
(NoBusiness)
A limited LP from the trio of European improvisers Giovanni Di Domenico on piano and Peter Jacquemyn on double bass with American drummer Chris Corsano, recording in the studio in Belgium, 2013, for 3 free improvisations of dexterous and expressive playing.

Illtet (Ladd / Parker / Sorey )
Gain [VINYL WITH DOWNLOAD]
(RogueArt)
Crossing NY and Chicago artists, the quartet of Mike Ladd on vocals & synth, Jeff Parker on electric guitar, Tyshawn Sorey on drums, trombone & electric piano, and HPRIZM/High Priest on synth create thought-provoking spoken environments of intense improv.

Harry Partch
A Portrait [VINYL + DOWNLOAD]
(New World Records)
A portrait of instrument builder and microtonal composer Harry Partch presented through representative work, in a beautiful limited 180g vinyl LP with a 12 page booklet of rare photos and essays, plus an MP3 download; essential listening from an extraordinary composer.

Dave Douglas High Risk
Dark Territory [VINYL] - Record Store Day Release
(Greenleaf Music)
A collection of new music from the creative electronic-inspired ensemble High Risk headed by NY trumpeter Dave Douglas, exploring the intersection of creative improvisation and modern electronic music production in lyrical and unexpected ways.

Keiji Haino
1973 Live - Milky Way [REISSUE VINYL]
(Black Truffle)
Recorded in a live performance in Kyoto in 1973, five years before Fushitsusha, Keiji Haino uses primitive electronics, homemade acoustic instruments, piano and voice to create a 48 minute, slowly evolving cosmic (or kosmische) wash of sound culminating in a vocal catharsis.

Okkyung Lee / Christian Marclay
Amalgam [VINYL]
(Northern Spy)
A wild and exciting duo between cellist Okkyung Lee and legendary turntable improviser Christian Marclay performing live at London's Cafe Oto for a single long track that runs through an astonishing dynamic of invention and atmospheres in a gripping and spellbinding set.

Henry Threadgill & Zooid
In for a Penny, In for a Pound [VINYL]
(Pi Recordings)
Henry Threadgill's new epic work in four movements written specifically to feature each of the musicians in Zooid: "Ceroepic" for Elliott Kavee (drums), "Dosepic" for Christopher Hoffman (cello), "Tresepic" for Jose Davila (trombone & tuba), and "Unoepic" for Liberty Ellman (guitar).

Borbetomagus
The Eastcote Studios Session [VINYL]
(Dancing Wayang)
A rare studio album from the aggressive and influential free improv trio Borbetomagus of saxophonists Jim Sauter & Don Dietrich and guitarist Donald Miller, recorded in London in 2014, and described by Sauter himself as "unlike anything we've ever recorded before".

Ballister
Low Level Stink [VINYL & DVD]
(Dropa Disc)
One of the super-groups of free improvisation, colliding elements of jazz, rock, ea-improv and beyond, the Ballister trio of Chicago stalwarts Dave Rempis (sax) and Fred Lonberg-Holm (cello) are captured live at the Oorstof concert series in De Studio, Antwerp, presenting the concert in a limited, combined vinyl LP and DVD release.

From Wolves To Whales (Rempis / Wooley / Niggenkemper / Corsano)
Strandwal [2 CDs]
(Aerophonic)
The 2nd release from the quartet of cutting edge improvisers--Nate Wooley on trumpet, Dave Rempis on saxophone, Pascal Niggenkemper on bass, and Chris Corsano on drums--presents a complete concert during their Fall 2017 European tour, performing in the city of Haarlem near Amsterdam in a wide-ranging concert of incredible technique and intrepid playing.

Jimmy Giuffre 3 (w / Bley / Swallow)
Graz Live 1961
(Hat Hut Ezz-Thetics)
After introducing his new trio with pianist Paul Bley and double bassist Steve Swallow in two 1961 albums on Verve, clarinetist Jimmy Giuffre embarked on a tour of Europe, this recently discovered, well-recorded concert in Graf, Austria the perfect example of his unique concepts yielding intensely focused, harmonically challenging, rhythmically abstract, and exquisite chamber jazz.

Albert Ayler Quartets
Spirits To Ghosts (remastered)
(Hat Hut Ezz-Thetics)
Three variations of quartet settings from iconoclastic free jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler, remastering and combining two Debut Records albums, "Spirits" from 1964 with Norman Howard (trumpet), Sunny Murray (drums), and alternating bass between Henry Grimes & Earle Henderson; and 1965's "Ghosts" on Debut Records with Don Cherry (trumpet), Gary Peacock (bass), and Sunny Murray.

Rempis / Abrams / Ra + Baker
Apsis
(Aerophonic)
"Apsis" makes permanent this Chicago band's expansion from the trio of Dave Rempis on saxophones, Joshua Abrams on bass, and Avreeayl Ra on drums & percussion with pianist & synth player Jim Baker, first heard on "Perihelion", as the 3rd album demonstrates the power and articulate strength of all four through extended and energetic improvisations of great modern jazz.

Tiger Trio (Leandre / Melford / Mitchel)
Map of Liberation
(RogueArt)
Born from the duo of Chicago flutist Nicole Mitchell and French bassist Joelle Leandre ("Sisters Where") and brought together by Myra Melford, this is the 2nd album from their Tiger Trio formation, joining profound skill, unusual creative intent, ferociously authoritative conversation, shrewd wit, and an innate sense of balance to 11 succinct collective improvisations.

Joe McPhee / Lol Coxhill / Chris Corsano / Evan Parker
Tree Dancing
(Otoroku)
A 2010 recording at London's Cafe Oto by the London / New York quartet of Lol Coxhill on soprano saxophone, Evan Parker on saxophones, Joe McPhee on saxophones, and Chris Corsano on drums & percussion, with McPhee introducing the set and starting with a tribute to Ornette Coleman, as the four perform seven intense "dances" as duos, trios and full quartet.

Rob Mazurek
Desert Encrypts Vol. 1
(Astral Spirits)
The third volume in trumpeter Rob Mazurek's Marfa Trilogy, inspired by the desert surroundings of Marfa, TX where Mazurek held his first Desert Encrypts Festival, this album captured live with the superb quartet of Kris Davis on piano, Chad Taylor on drums, and Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten on bass, for 6 passionate and compelling works of modern jazz.

Somersaults (Olie Brice / Tobias Delius / Mark Sanders)
Numerology of Birdsong
(West Hill Records)
Having supported Paul Dunmall, Evan Parker, Mikolaj Trzaska, Ken Vandermark, &c., the UK rhythm section of Olie Brice on double bass and Mark Sanders on drums joined forces for their own Somersaults trio with tenor saxophonist Tobias Delius (ICP), this second album an example of their buoyant, optimistically playful and melodically charged free improvisation.

Derek Bailey / Han Bennink / Evan Parker
Topographie Parisienne [4 CDs]
(Fou Records)
Recorded in 1981 by audio engineer and label owner Jean-Marc Foussat, the trio of guitarist Derek Bailey, saxophonist Evan Parker, and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Han Bennink are heard in an amazing evening of performance at 28 rue Dunois, in Paris, France, in duo and trio configurations, exploring material similar to Parker's "Topography of the Lungs"; essential.

Albert Ayler Quintet
Stockholm, Berlin 1966
(Hatology)
In 1966 Albert Ayler toured Europe with his quintet, as heard on these beautifully remastered recordings from Berlin and Stockholm; inspired and spiritual free jazz.

Franz Koglmann Septet (w / Clark / Arcari / D'Agaro / Turkovic / Pasztor / Herbert)
Fruits Of Solitude
(Hat Hut Ezz-Thetics)
With a superb septet of improvisers also versed in contemporary music, trumpeter Franz Koglmann presents sophisticated compositions that interject the concept of "solitude" in the three-part title track, alongside Koglmann compositions and Jimmy Giuffre's "Finger Snapper", using striking orchestration of trumpet, sax, clarinet, bassoon, oboe, french horn, cello and double bass.

Barry Guy
Blue Horizon. Barry Guy@70 (Live At The Ad Libitum Festival 2017) [3 CDs]
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
Three astonishing concerts on 3 consecutive nights at the Ad Libitum Festival 2017 in Warsaw, Poland from British bassist Barry Guy in 3 configurations: 1st in a duo with Spanish pianist Agusti Fernandez; 2nd in a trio with US pianist Marilyn Crispell and British drummer Paul Lytton; and 3rd in a double bass duo with French bassist Joelle Leandre.

William Parker / In Order To Survive
Live / Shapeshifter [2 CDs]
(Aum Fidelity)
Presenting both sets of the second night of bassist William Parker's concerts at Brooklyn's ShapeShifter Lab with his group In Order to Survive of pianist Cooper-Moore, alto saxophonist Rob Brown and drummer Hamid Drake, an extraordinary event that featured all new Parker compositions, including an extended suite for late trombonist Grachan Moncur III.

Agusti Fernandez Trio (w. William Parker / Susie Ibarra)
One Night At The Joan Miro Foundation
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
A formidable meeting of three powerhouses of modern creative improvisation of diverse backgrounds -- Filipina-American drummer/percussionist Susie Ibarra, legendary New York bassist William Parker, and Spanish pianist Agusti Fernandez, in a spirited, masterful and stunning live performance at the Joan Miro Foundation in Barcelona recorded in 1998.

Charles Gayle / John Edwards / Mark Sanders
Seasons Changing [2 CDs]
(Otoroku)
Recorded at Cafe Oto in London in 2017, legendary NY free jazz saxophonist Charles Gayle is joined by masterful free improvisers John Edwards on double bass and Mark Sanders for two live sets, released here in a limited 2-CD album, presenting the fire and range of all three players, from full-on aggressive and confrontational playing to deeply introspective.

Rodrigo Amado / Chris Corsano
No Place To Fall
(Astral Spirits)
Having previously worked together with Joe McPhee and Kent Kessler, this album distills the Portuguese saxophonist Rodrigo Amado and NY drummer/percussionist Chris Corsano to a concentrated sax and drum duo of earnest and edgy playing, bending jazz, free and blues idioms to their will with magnificent technique and power, both clearly elated in their meeting.

Jeb Bishop / Alex Ward / Weasel Walter
Flayed
(ugEXPLODE)
An assertive album of free improv bringing together players from New York (drummer Weasel Walters), London (clarinetist & electric guitarist Alex Ward), and Chicago (trombonist Jeb Bishop), their previous shared projects and cross-genre intentions in rock, hardcore jazz and other experimental forms leading to this wonderfully quirky and masterful album of excoriating free jazz.

Susan Alcorn / Joe McPhee / Ken Vandermark
Invitation To A Dream [VINYL]
(Astral Spirits)
An excellent album of informed free improvisation in the debut of this masterful trio of legendary musicians spread across the US--Joe McPhee on soprano sax & pocket trumpet [NY], Ken Vandermark on tenor sax & clarinet [Chicago], and Susan Alcorn on pedal steel guitar [Texas], a profound album from assertive to introspective playing in seven captivating collective improvisations.

Mark Hanslip / Emil Karlsen
Planish
(Noumenon)
Saxophonist Mark Hanslip and drummer Emil Karlsen, two active figures on the UK free improv and jazz scene, in a sax & drum duo fueled by live performances, here in their first album of informed and exploratory dialog, five works that run the gamut from textural open playing to fiery free jazz, a solid first endeavor and addition to Karlsen's Noumenon label.

AMM
An Unintended Legacy [3 CDs]
(Matchless)
A beautiful 3-CD set with a hardcover book presenting 3 full concerts from 2015 & 2016 of the AMM trio configuration of John Tilbury (piano), Keith Rowe (guitar) and Eddie Prevost (percussion). The 70 page book, dedicated to saxophonist Lou Gare, includes an AMM discography, plus photos, and essays by Paige Mitchell and Allen Fisher; Keith Rowe; Eddie Prevost; and Seymour Wright.

The OGJB Quartet (Lake / Haynes / Fonda / Altschul)
Bamako
(Tum)
After more than 10 years of working together, bassist Joe Fonda and drummer Barry Altschul asked saxophonist Oliver Lake and trumpeter Graham Haynes to join in this quartet, their name taken from their first initials, as they present compositions from all four players, plus a poem from Lake, ending with two collective improvisations; a solid and dynamic start to a new quartet.

Keith Tippett
The Unlonely Raindancer
(Discus)
Mujician pianist Keith Tippetts embarked on his first solo tour in 1979, capturing these concert recordings that were originally released in 1980 on vinyl on the Universe Label; long out of print, Discus has revived these extraordinary recordings, showing the incredible technical abilities, endurance, and quick-witted creative powers of this legendary improviser.

Agusti Fernandez
River Tiger Fire [4 CDs]
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
Recorded at the 2014 Ad Libitum Festival in Warsaw, pianist and composer Agusti Fernandez was invited to perform four concerts in celebration of his 60th birthday, choosing his working trio Aurora for once concert, a solo performance of "El Laberint de la Memoria", his electroacoustic Thunder trio, and a large ensemble conduction: "River, Tiger Fire".

Ethnic Heritage Ensemble
Be Known Ancient/Future/Music
(Spiritmuse Records)
Led by Chicago percussionist and AACM member Kahil El'Zabar and founded in 1981, Ethnic Heritage Ensemble releases this album of Afro-centric spiritual jazz, El'Zabar's voice drawing us into the compelling rhythms and grooves he and cellist Ian Maksin provide as foundations for baritone saxophonist Alex Harding and trumpeter Corey Wilkes' profound soloing.

Rob Brown Quartet (w/ Steve Swell / Chris Lightcap / Chad Taylor)
From Here To Hear
(RogueArt)
A strong session from formidable alto saxophonist Rob Brown, presenting six compositions performed with the extraordinary grouping of trombonist Steve Swell, double bassist Chris Lightcap, and drummer Chad Taylor, all beautifully recorded in the studio, showing the incisive soloing of each player as they keep their listeners swinging on the edges of their seats.

Jeph Jerman / Steve Jansen
Third
(Not On Label)
The third release from the US Southwest audio exploring duo of Steve Jansen and Jeph Jerman, expanding on their previous cassette releases with two works recorded in Cottonwood, AZ and Phoenix, AZ; curious and compelling sonic environments using unidentifiable sound sources that layer and intertwine, each building and receding enigmatically.

Keiji Haino / Jim O'Rourke / Oren Ambarchi
In the past only geniuses were capable of staging the perfect crime (also known as a revolution) Today anybody can accomplish their aims... [VINYL 2 LPs]
(Black Truffle)
The ninth album from the enduring trio of Keiji Haino, Jim O'Rourke, and Oren Ambarchi, recorded in 2015 at Tokyo's SuperDeluxe, with both Ambarchi and O'Rourke performing on drums and percussion, O'Rourke also using a Hammond Organ and Ambarchi on flute, while Haino asserts himself on guitar, electronics and voice, in 2 groove-based pieces and 2 side-long epics.

MIR 8 (Andrea Belfi / Werner Dafeldecker / Hilary Jeffery / Tim Wright)
Perihelion [VINYL]
(Shhpuma)
Mir 8 brings electroacoustic artists Andrea Belfi (drums/percussion), Werner Dafeldecker (electroncis, bass), Hilary Jeffrey (trombone) and Tim Wright (computer & electronics) together for their debut album of four cinematic tracks following an abstract narrative through panoramic landscapes.

Oren Ambarchi
Simian Angel
(Editions Mego)
Oren Ambarchi renews the focus on his unique approach to the electric guitar, joining with Downtown NY Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista on congas, shakers and berimbau, in a duo based on Ambarchi's explorative playing, also conjuring organ and piano tones, as each side-long piece take the listener on a journey of passionate playing of subtlety and warmth.

Matt Weston
A New Form Of Crime
(7272music)
Conceived and constructed over 16 years, composer, electronic artist & percussionist Matt Weston employs graphic and personal notation systems with elements including clandestine recordings in concert halls and athletic buildings while they were not in use, rural field recordings, and the sound of cars driving over a bridge at Weston's conducting; unique and fascinating.

Rob Mazurek
Love Waves Ecstatic Charge
(Astral Spirits)
One of three releases in Rob Mazurek's Marfa Trio, recorded in Marfa, TX, using 106 distorted still images and fragmented skipping sound from video shot at Abbaye Royal de Fontevraud, France in 2005, repurposed for this intense and wild sound work which processes the images through modular synth and computer, shaped by Mazurek's unique approach to sound.

Rob Mazurek
Psychotropic Electric Eel Dreams IV
(Astral Spirits)
Recordings from the 4-channel sound composition for the ESS Florasonic installation series at Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago, of Rob Mazurek's work using recordings of electric eels from National Institute of Research and Technology in Manaus, Brazil, combined with analog/digital synthesis to create environments of beautiful undulating and radiant sonic textures.

Free103point9
Audio Dispatch 08: Radio Action I
(free103.9)

Peter Cusack
Baikal Ice (Spring 2003)
(Recommended Records)
Peter Cusak's field recordings from the ice flows in the Baikal Lake of Siberia, documenting the ice, ice flows, and the trip itself through a series of interesting and well-captured recordings.

Yannis Kyriakides
Wordless
(Unsounds)

Most People Have Been Trained To Be Bored.
Success in Cheap Prices
(Bor Land / Soopa)

Herzbeat Hotel
Eve Of Wide Island Is Not A Child Anymore
(Soopa)

Kyron
Morpho Genex
(Black Note)
Intelligent Dark Electronica with a touch of Krautrock and experimental ambient.

Kyron
Dark Goddess
(Black Note)
Dark electronic soundscapes with dark beats and vocal improvisations.

Northern Valentine
The Distance Brings Us Closer
(Silber Media)
Minimalist ambient work from Robert & Amy Brown, who have been recording and performing since '97, creating heartfelt, soulful & affecting sound.

Vlor
A Fire Is Meant for Burning
(Silber Media)
Minimalist guitar collaborations from members of Remora, Aarktica, Lycia, Rivulets, 6P.M., Red Morning Chorus, & Jessica Bailiff.

Colin McLean & Andy Moor
Everything But the Beginning
(Unsounds)
The 1st release from Andy Moor & Colin McLean since they disbanded Dog Faced Hermans 13 years ago, 3 years of live improvisations from Amsterdam's OT 301's Music Dance 301 sessions.

Jay Crocker
Joachim on Eggshells
(Bug Incision Records)
Jay Crockers follows the allure of salvage from six years of recordings, taking sketches and mini-improvs and organizing them into a large and unusual sonic journey.

Vlor
Six-Winged
(Silber Media)
The long-distance collaborative Vlor project constructs rock and sound work from a wide array of rock influcences leveraging their dichotomy to creative a cohesive brooding music.

Somnaphon
Automatic Writings Volume 1
(ACK Recordings)
A compilation of various unreleased songs, remixes and compilation appearances from Somnaphon (A. Traeger), a varied and eclectic exploration of Somnaphon's work.

Mr. Stonecipher Vs. Somnaphon
The Horsemaster's Daughter [CASSETTE]
(910 Noise)
A cassette release joining 910 Noise and Ack Recordings from Ryan Lewis and August Traeger, harsh American noise that "will destroy the speakers" (Feast of Hate and Fear).

Northern Valentine
Fin de Sie
(Silber Media)
Northern Valentine is a Philadelphia based ambient/drone collective anchored by husband & wife, Robert & Amy Brown, Jeffrey Bumiller & Matthew Primak, here in an album collecting their beautiful sonic creations.

Annabelle Playe
Matrice
(D'Autres Cordes)
Sound artist Annabelle Playe blends electroacoustic, experimental and electronic noise music in her debut album.

Sontag Shogun
Tale
(Palaver Press)
Brooklyn's Sontag Shogun (Ian Temple-piano; Jesse Perlstein-electronics; Jeremy Young-tapes & electronics) in their debut album, compiling three years of composing and directed textural improvisations, presented in 9 rich musical works.

Celer & Machinefabriek
Numa / Penarie [VINYL 7-inch]
(Self Released)
The collaboration between Machinefabriek (Rutger Zuydervelt and Celer) continues with their 2nd 7" of textured electronic collage and sound, packaged with a postcard, a download code, and two download videos.

John Zorn
Nove Cantici Per Francesco D'Assisi
(Tzadik)
Inspired by the life and thought of the spiritual figure Saint Francis of Assisi, John Zorn composed these ten guitar trios as a suite to be performed during a residency at the Frick museum in New York City, with guitarists Julian Lage and Gyan Riley, heard on his previous "Midsummer Moons" album, joined by guitarist Bil Frisell; contemplative and lyrical music.

Josef Riedl Anton
Klangregionen 1951-2007
(Edition Rz)
Two CD set of electronic and concrete compositions from German composer Riedl, with recordings from Siemens-Studio for elektronische Musik and Studio for konkrete Musik.

Jakob Ullmann
Femde Zeit Addendum 5
(Edition Rz)
Jakob Ullman's 5th solo work for piano is atypical for a piano performance, using electronic playback and requiring three assistants sustaining a soundscape to realize a concept of "gravity" that Ullman applies as laws in a conceptual soundscape modified by a series of abstract images, resulting in unexpected sonic environments, tones, timbres and momentum.

Antoine Beuger and colectivo maDam
.. Of Being Numerous
(Edition Wandelweiser Records)
Antoine Beuger's piece merges compositional and improvised approaches, drawing on the text "the memories of RN", as he performs on flute, voice and objects with the electroacoustic improvising ensemble Colectivo maDam, merging long instrumental phrases with words, syllables or letters, using space and detachment to create numerous possibilities to resonate.

Catherine Lamb
Point/Wave
(Another Timbre)
The first piece composer Catherine Lamb has written specifically for acoustic guitar was commissioned by Chilean guitarist Christian Alvear, extending concepts from an installation piece titled "Secondary Rainbow" with Bryan Eubanks, Lamb employs electronics over an infinite cycle of four "environmental chords" which overlap and resonate with one another.

Kimmig-Studer-Zimmerlin
Im Hellen
(Hat [now] ART)

Shira Legmann / Michael Pisaro
Barricades
(elsewhere)
Presenting LA-based composer Michael Pisaro's recent work "Barricades", a 63-minute piece in 13 Studies for piano performed by Israeli-based pianist Shira Legmann, with electronics performed by Pisaro, punctuated by two electronic Interludes from Pisaro; a rich and reflective work enveloping and intertwining the electronics around solidly articulate piano expression.

Anthony Braxton (Guillermo Gregorio , Jim O'Rourke, &c.)
Compositions No. 10 & No. 16 (+101)
(Hat [now] ART)
Recordings of 3 of composer Anthony Braxton, with clarinetist Guillermo Gregorio the consistent partner in all three: A variation of Composition 10(1) with Jim O'Rourke on accordion; Composition No 16 a duo with O'Rourke on hurdy gurdy; and another variation of Composition 10(2) with O'Rourke on electronics.

Cornelius Cardew
Treatise
(Hat [now] ART)

Morton Feldman
Violin and String Quartet [2CD]
(Hat [now] ART)

Nikola Kodjabashia
Explosion of a Memory
(Recommended Records)
Composer Kodjbashia's homage to James Joyce, Heiner Muller & Valere Novarina performed by the Macedonian Symphony Orchestra with Kiril Dzajkovski, Chris Cutler, Patric Driver & Valere Novarina.

John McGuire
Works For Instruments [2 CDs]
(Edition Rz)
Instrumental compositions by "post-minimalist" John McGuire who took classes with Karlheinz Stockhausen and Gottfried Michael Koenig, among others.

Iannis Xenakis
Iannis Xenakis
(Edition Rz)
A collection of historical and essential works from Xenakis including Syrmos, Le Polytope de Montreal, Terretektorh, Nomos Gamma, ST/48-1,240162, Achorripsis, Persepolis, Polytope de Cluny.

Morton Feldman
Piano Three Hands, Intermission 5, Vertical Thoughts 2, Extensions 3, Four Instruments, Intermission 5, Piano Piece 1956 A + B, Intersection 3, Instruments 1
(Edition Rz)
A collection of Feldman compositions primarily for piano as recorded by his earliest interpreters: Cornelius Cardew, John Tilbury, David Tutor, Cantilene Chamber Players, and Feldman himself.

Harley Gaber
The Winds Rise In The North
(Edition Rz)
Composer Harley Gaber wrote this piece for strings as an emotional examination of the questions posed by Taoist philosopher Chuang Tzu, here performed by a quintet including violinist Malcolm Goldstein.

Christian Wolff
Kompositionen 1950-1972 [2 CDs]
(Edition Rz)
A portrait of Christian Wolff, documenting the composer's early activity through recordings made close to the time of their composition from artists including Cornelius Cardew, Frederic Rzewski, David Tudor, &c.

Michael Pisaro
fields have ears (6)
(Gravity Wave)
Pisaro's "fields have ears" started as a simple work for solo classical guitar and sine tones, but has developed into this extended work augmented with turntables, radios, records, field recordings, and earlier Pisaro pieces.

Philip Corner
Gong/Ear: Dance-ing, 1 & 2 [VINYL]
(Roaratorio)
"Gong/Ear" is a decades-long series of improvisations with dancers from Fluxus conspirator Philip Corner, recorded in his NYC loft in 1989, using his favorite Paiste tam-tam to create a feedback loop of perceptions between gong and dance.

Michael Pisaro
Harmony Series 11 - 16
(Edition Wandelweiser Records)
Pisaro's Harmony Series revolve around the process of translating poetic works into text scores, which are then analyzed to find change in the implicit sound of the text, and developed into graphic scores for the performers; here presenting 9 of 34 pieces from the series.

John Cage
Early Music
(Edition Wandelweiser Records)
Early compositions from John Cage performed on accordion by Edwin Alexander Buchholz and violin by Joanna Becker, presenting "Dream" (1948); "In a Landscape" (1948); "Six Melodies" (1950); and "Souvenir" (1983).

Harry Partch
A Portrait [VINYL + DOWNLOAD]
(New World Records)
A portrait of instrument builder and microtonal composer Harry Partch presented through representative work, in a beautiful limited 180g vinyl LP with a 12 page booklet of rare photos and essays, plus an MP3 download; essential listening from an extraordinary composer.

Sylvia Ocougne / Chico Mello
Musica Brasileira Descomposta
(Edition Wandelweiser Records)
The Brazilian duo of Silvia Ocougne and Chico Mello, residing in Berlin, create a sonic collage of traditional popular and contemporary elements influenced by both Berlin and Brazil, using the unusual orchestration of instruments including tuba, matchbox, clarinet, &c.

John Zorn
Commedia Della Arte
(Tzadik)
Joh Zorn wrote this multifaceted suite celebrating the vibrant Italian dramatic form Commedia dell'arte that began in the 16th century, evoking the characters Harlequin, Colombina, Scaramouch, Pulcinella and Pierrot in five compositional miniatures for small chamber ensembles.

Michael Pisaro / Reinier van Houdt
The Earth And The Sky [3 CDs]
(erstwhile)
erstwhile records releases their first CD on their ErstClass imprint, issuing and collecting historically important work, here with composer Michael Pisaro's piano works from 1994-2016, 11 compositions performed by Netherlands pianist Reinier van Houdt.

John Cage
Cartridge Music
(Edition Wandelweiser Records)
A 2003 recording from The Ensemble Daswirdas performing John Cage's 1960 composition "Cartridge Music", described as: "For amplified small sounds; also amplified piano or cymbal; any number of players and loudspeakers; parts to be prepared from score by performers."

Richard Pinhas / Tatsuya Yoshida
Ascension
(Magaibutsu Limited)
The collaboration between Magaibutsu label leader, Yoshida Tatsuya (Ruins, Korekyojinn, Koenji, The World Heritage, &c) on drums, keyboards & voice, and Heldon mastermind Richard Pinhas on guitar & effects, continues with this CD of live material from their 2014 Japanese tour, extending the 2015 "Live in Japan" album, including the 8-part "Ascension".

NYUK (Nasuno / Yoshida / Uchihashi / Nasuki)
NYUK
(Magaibutsu)
An extension of the Korekyojinn band of Nasuno Mitsuru, Yoshida Tatsuya, and Kido Natsuki, by adding guitarist Uchihashi Kazuhisa (Altered States, Ground Zero, Innocent Records), for eight intense improvisations recorded at Shinjuku Pit Inn, Tokyo in 2013, a startling album of jaw-dropping polyrhythmic, avant rock interaction and intention; spectacular.

Ich B!n Nintendo (Winther / Nergaard / Johansen)
Lykke [VINYL]
(Shhpuma)
The Ich Bin Nintendo trio of Christian Skar Winther (guitar & voice), Magnus Skavhaug Nergaard (bass) and Joakim Heibo Johansen (drums) take their improvised noise music into the post-punk world with demanding and energetic music that voices it's power and exultation.

Eclectic Maybe Band
Reflections In A Moebius Ring Mirror
(Discus)
The second album of this Guy Segers (Univers Zero) project in an eclectic ensemble of improvisers, rock musicians and experimenters, a genre-defying project of primarily instrumental work with interventions of song, merging acoustic & electric instruments with electronics, live improvisation with studio manipulation, to find new forms of mesmerizing music.

The Grandmothers
Eating the Astoria
(Obvious Music)

BlipVert
Triple Acid Foot
(Ra Sounds)

Gricer
Gricer
(Taut Recordings)

Dust Dive Flash, The
Tens of Thousands
(free103.9)

LEK
Giant World Knowlege Bliss Control
(Fuzzworld Record)

Hotel Hotel
The Sad Sea
(Silber Media)
Instrumental post rock inspired by a torturous ocean journey: the sounds of hurricanes funneled through violins, guitars, drums, & effect pedals; nice squid cover!

Keiji / Makoto / Tatsuya
Ichi to Ichi ga Kasanatte Shimaumade [DVD]
(Magaibutsu)
The trio of Haino Keiji, Kawabata Makoto (Acid Mothers Temple) & Yoshida Tatsuya (Ruins, &c) performing live at Beat Tokyo in 2008, intense improvised rock from three masters.

Henry Cow
Box 3 - The Studio Volumes 1-5
(Recommended Records)
The complete re-mastered Henry Cow studio recordings in the third matching box: Legend, Unrest, Desperate Straights, In Praise of Learning and Western Culture.

Carta
An Index of Birds
(Silber Media)
Carta reminds of Low to Six by Seven, Plumerai, Charles Atlas &c. in the tradition of mid-1990s moody pop/slowcore/indie rock/post rock bands.

Walk With the Penguin
Steal a Spoon for You
(Amorfon)
Steelpan and electronics player and Amorfon label leader Yoshio Machida met the Serbian CINC band for these sophisticated and lovely post-rock pieces recorded in Belgrade, 2006.

Azalia Snail
Celestial Respect
(Silber Media)
Hypnotic lo-fi space pop from Azalia Snail, whose 20 year career of 4-track era work is heard in this musical journey paying tribute to the power of the sun & the hope it can bring to us all.

Korekyojinn with Tsuboy Akihisa
Doldrums
(Magaibutsu Limited)
Korekyojinn (Yoshida Tatsuya, Nasuno Mitsuru and Kido Natuski) in their 7th release, joined by violinist Akihisa Tsuboy, recorded live at Tokyo's Koenji High, Lush, and Missions from 2008-2010.

Ishiwarizakura
Okuno Hosomichi
(Magaibutsu Limited)
A live recording of this quartet from the Iwate Prefecture in the Tohoku region of Japan, improvised and impressive rock from Yoshida Tatsuya (drums), Nasuno Mitsuru (bass), Kita Naoki (violin) and Murakami Naoki (guitar).

Loren Connors & Suzanne Langille
I Wish I Didn’t Dream
(Northern Spy)
The first duo in 14 years between guitarist Loren Connors and vocalist Suzanne Langille inspired by and using slides of MP Landis' WD series of paintings, which he created live during music performances.

Korekyojinn (Tatsuya / Natsuki / Mitsuru)
Jackson [2014 Remaster] (incl "Kaleidoscope" and "Yes Medley")
(Magaibutsu)
A 2014 reissue of this 2006 release, adding a complete 10.5 minute version of "Kaleidoscope", and an amazing "Yes Medley", from the trio of drummer Yoshida Tatsuya, bassist Nasuno Mitsuru, and guitarist Kido Natsuki.

John Zorn
Valentine's Day
(Tzadik)
John Zorn brings together Downtown New Yorkers, Marc Ribot on guitar, Trevor Dunn on bass and Tyshawn Sorey on drums, for 12 instrumental miniatures combining atonal lyricism with rock intensity; scronky, demanding and exciting hybrids of improv and rock.

The Lady With
The Lady With The Monkey
(LEM)
First album by French rock band Ghost Rhythms's keyboardist and co-composer Camille Petit, orchestral instrumental rock with a progressive rock feel, latin rhythmic influences and strong melodic tendencies, performed by a large ensemble to create an embraceable blend of music.

Rollerball
Catholic Paws/Catholic Pause
(Silber)
Odd beats, strange solos, a reggae feel here, an avant-garde jazz angularity there, from Rollerball, a goth-tinged pop band with vocalist Mae Starr leading the quintet through catchy melodies with unexpected twists and turns.

Orchestra of the Upper Atmosphere
02
(Discus)
An absolutely impressive album blending advanced/progressive rock forms with improvisation, starting from collective improvisation and layering in the studio to create a sophisticated psychedelic music, the second album from this ensemble that is headed by Martin Archer (reeds & keys), Chris Bywater (keys & synth), and Steve Dinsdale (drums & percussion).

Sick Boss (Schmidt / Meger / Peggy Lee / JP Carter / Naylor / Page)
Sick Boss
(Drip Audio)
A richly refined and sophisticated album drawing on improvisation, experimenation and rock elements from the collaborative Vancouver ensemble Sick Boss of core members guitarist Cole Schmidt, bassist James Meger and drummer Daniel Gaucher, with guests including guitarist Tony Wilson, cellist Peggy Lee, trumpeter JP Carter, synth player Tyson Naylor, &c. &c.

Peter Hammill
From The Trees
(Fie! Records)
Peter Hammill continues his immense solo career, intricately linked to his work with Van Der Graaf Generator, but more focused in intelligent lyrics, profound vocal layering, and fluid song structures, a unique voice who for more than 35 studio albums has developed an approach to songwriting and intellectual observation of subtle sophistication and detail.

Joe Morris
Perpetual Frontier The Properties of Free Music [BOOK]
(Riti Publishing)
Joe Morris wrote this book to discuss aspects of free music, including responses to his questionnaire written by Joe McPhee, William Parker, Jamie Saft, Ken Vandermark, Marilyn Crispell, Nate Wooley, Jack Wright, Matthew Shipp, &c.

Jimmy Giuffre 3 (w / Bley / Swallow)
Graz Live 1961
(Hat Hut Ezz-Thetics)
After introducing his new trio with pianist Paul Bley and double bassist Steve Swallow in two 1961 albums on Verve, clarinetist Jimmy Giuffre embarked on a tour of Europe, this recently discovered, well-recorded concert in Graf, Austria the perfect example of his unique concepts yielding intensely focused, harmonically challenging, rhythmically abstract, and exquisite chamber jazz.

Derek Bailey / Han Bennink / Evan Parker
Topographie Parisienne [4 CDs]
(Fou Records)
Recorded in 1981 by audio engineer and label owner Jean-Marc Foussat, the trio of guitarist Derek Bailey, saxophonist Evan Parker, and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Han Bennink are heard in an amazing evening of performance at 28 rue Dunois, in Paris, France, in duo and trio configurations, exploring material similar to Parker's "Topography of the Lungs"; essential.

Tyshawn Sorey
Pillars [3 CDs]
(Firehouse 12 Records)
Drummer/percussionist, trombonist, pianist and importantly here, composer, Tyshawn Sorey in an amazing and ambitious work "Pillars", assembling an ensemble of virtuosic NY performers (Joe Morris, Todd Neufeld, Ben Gerstein, Stephen Hayes, Zach Rowden, Carl Test, Mark Helias) as he references Tibetan rituals, Stockhausen, and Anthony Braxton, and much more.

Milford Graves
Babi [2 CDs]
(Corbett vs. Dempsey)
Recorded in 1976 at WBAI-FM/Free Music Store in New York, drummer percussionist Milford Graves goes head to head with two reedists, Arthur Doyle and Hugh Glover, an absolute stunner of percussive momentum and force, drawing the reeds into a frenzy of unbridled free playing; issued with a 2nd CD of a private recording of Graves plus unpublished photos.

Myra Melford's Snowy Egret (w/ Miles / Ellman / Takeishi / Sorey)
The Other Side Of Air
(Firehouse 12 Records)
Taking the reigns as composer, performer and bandleader, New York pianist Myra Melford's exceptional quintet Snowy Egret, with Ron Miles on cornet, Liberty Ellman on guitar, Stomu Takeishi on acoustic bass guitar, and Tyshawn Sorey on drums, present a brilliant album of creative jazz, with lyrical grooves and commanding soloing, a great and thoroughly modern album.

Franz Koglmann Septet (w / Clark / Arcari / D'Agaro / Turkovic / Pasztor / Herbert)
Fruits Of Solitude
(Hat Hut Ezz-Thetics)
With a superb septet of improvisers also versed in contemporary music, trumpeter Franz Koglmann presents sophisticated compositions that interject the concept of "solitude" in the three-part title track, alongside Koglmann compositions and Jimmy Giuffre's "Finger Snapper", using striking orchestration of trumpet, sax, clarinet, bassoon, oboe, french horn, cello and double bass.

Mary Halvorson
Code Girl [2 CDs]
(Firehouse 12 Records)
Always open to new approaches, NY guitarist Mary Halvorson takes her trio with drummer Tomas Fujiwara and bassist Michael Formanek, adds trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and, in a twist of the thumbscrew, vocalist Amirtha Kidambi, for a mix of song and instrumental pieces that balance jazz and rock sensibilities with lyricism, intricate lines, and creative spirit.

John Butcher / Eddie Prevost
Visionary Fantasies
(Matchless)
A series of inspired solo and duo performances from AMM founder, percussionist Eddie Prevost and free improvising saxophonist John Butcher, captured live at London's Iklectik in 2018, splitting the album between solo and duo work as the two morph their instruments into incredible sonic devices, with intense concentration and dialog nothing short of fantastic.

Paul Dunmall / Jon Irabagon / Mark Sanders / Jim Bashford
The Rain Sessions
(FMR)
Dedicated to Cecil Taylor and taking advantage of NY saxophonist Irabagon's UK visit, this album presents four drum duets "time two", as two tenor saxophonists--Paul Dunmall and Jon Irabagon--meet two lyrical drummers--Mark Sanders and Jim Bashford--following Dunmall long-standing interest in drum and sax duets, the results this ebullient and remarkable album.

Angles 9
Beyond Us
(Clean Feed)
Now a distinct edition of saxophonist Martin Kuchen's concept, the Angles 9 ensemble is captured live at the Zomer Jazz Fiets Tour in The Netherlands in 2018, performing Kuchen's embraceable and lyrical compositions, allowing his masterful band--including Magnus Broo, Johan Berthling, Mattias Stahl, &c.--great opportunities for collective playing and profound soloing.

Joelle Leandre / Marc Ducret
Chez Helene
(Ayler Records)
Jean-Marc Foussat recorded the French improvising duo of electric guitairst Marc Ducret and double bassist Joelle Leandre at 19PaulFort in May, 2018, the title drawn from a poem by Edgar Allen Poe, as the two trade acoustic and electric string approaches in a sophisticated dialog of exceptional technique and inventive approaches; superb.

Joe Morris / Do Yeon Kim
Macrocosm
(Glacial Erratic)
Performing on the Korean gayageum (also known as kayagum), Do Yeon Kim joins Joe Morris performing on guitar for five incredible string improvisations using a diversity of approaches from both players, including pointillistic improv, rich rivers of chords, languid moments of beauty, and moments where it's difficult to discern who is playing what.

Joe McPhee / Hamid Drake
Keep Going
(Corbett vs. Dempsey)
The second duo album between saxophonist & pocket trumpeter Joe McPhee and drummer/frame drummer Hamid Drake begins with McPhee reciting words by Harriett Tubman (Keep Going), as the two inform and astound through masterful playing, together and solo, shaking the listener through intense and unambiguously clear playing, with pieces reflecting our world situation.

Misha Mengelberg / Peter Brotzmann / Evan Parker / Peter Bennink / Paul Rutherford / Derek Bailey / Han Bennink
Groupcomposing
(Corbett vs. Dempsey)
Authoritative and playful free improvisation in the European Free Jazz style, this 1978 album on Misha Mengelberg and Han Bennink's Instant Composers Pool (ICP) label, included the pianist and drummer along with Peter Brotzmann, Peter Bennink and Evan Paker on sax, Paul Rutherford on trombone, and Derek Bailey on guitar, in a much-need reissue of this seminal album.

The Fictive Five (Ochs / Wooley / Filiano / Niggenkemper / Eisenstadt)
Anything Is Possible
(Clean Feed)
A tour-de-force of modern creative jazz from the quintet of Larry Ochs on tenor & sopranino saxophones, Nate Wooley on trumpet, Ken Filiano on bass & effects, Pascal Niggenkemper on bass & effects, and Harris Eisenstadt on drums, the familiar history of the musicians and the staggering skill of each bearing out the album's title, in 2 collective and 3 Ochs compositions.

Sam Rivers / Cecil McBee / Norman Connors
Emanation (Sam Rivers archive sessions. Vol.1)
(NoBusiness)
The NoBusiness label initiates its Sam Rivers Archive Series with this CD of River's Loft-era trio. the leader on tenor & soprano saxophones, flute & Piano, Cecil McBee on bass and Norman Connors on drums, for two sets at a Jazz Workshop residency in Boston in the summer of 1971, a superb concert showing inspired group interaction and River's intense focus.

Mars Williams presents
An Ayler Xmas Volume 2
(ESP)
After releasing "An Ayler Xmas: The Music of Albert Ayler & Songs of Christmas" on Chicago saxophonist Mars Williams' Soul What? Label, ESP approached him for a 2nd volume, resulting in this joyful and quirky holiday record with contributions from Josh Berman, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Kent Kessler, Jeb Bishop, Christof Kurzmann, Didi Kern, Thomas Berghammer, Steve Hunt, Jim Baker and Hermann Stangassinger.

Frode Gjerstad / John Stevens / Johnny Mbizio Dyani
Detail 83
(FMR)
A significant release from the history of the Detail trio of Frode Gjerstad on reeds, John Stevens on drums, and Johnny Dyani on bass, recorded at the Red Seahouses in Norway in 1938 during Detail's first trio tour, a smoking set of free jazz showing the power of these innovative players around the time of their first album, "Backwards and Forwards".

Ingrid Laubrock / Tom Rainey
Utter
(Relative Pitch)
After their 2016 tour of the US West Coast, husband and wife free improvising duo Ingrid Laubrock (tenor & soprano sax) and Tom Rainey (drums) entered a Brooklyn studio with a set of co-written compositions, which they weave together with free improv, relying on cues that can trigger a given composition at any time, adding a unique layer of communication to their exuberant playing.

James Lewis Brandon (Lewis / Branch / Stewart / Pirog / Crudup III)
An Unruly Manifesto
(Relative Pitch)
New York tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis leads a quintet with Jaimie Branch on trumpet, Luke Stewart on bass, Anthony Pirog on guitar, and Warren Trae Crudup III on drums, in a free jazz album dedicated to Charlie Haden & Ornette Coleman and Surrealism, modern creative music with one foot planted in the 70s and one in the 2010s.

Evan Parker / Kinetics (Anderskove / Melbye / Vestergaard)
Chiasm
(Clean Feed)
Performing live at The Vortex in London and live at the DKDM studio in Copenhagen, legendary UK saxophonist Evan Parker joins Swedish pianist Jacob Anderskov's trio Kinetics with Adam Pultz Melbye on bass and Anders Vestergaard on drums, recording these four masterful improvisations of full-force momentum, concentration, exploration and exultation.

AMM
An Unintended Legacy [3 CDs]
(Matchless)
A beautiful 3-CD set with a hardcover book presenting 3 full concerts from 2015 & 2016 of the AMM trio configuration of John Tilbury (piano), Keith Rowe (guitar) and Eddie Prevost (percussion). The 70 page book, dedicated to saxophonist Lou Gare, includes an AMM discography, plus photos, and essays by Paige Mitchell and Allen Fisher; Keith Rowe; Eddie Prevost; and Seymour Wright.

Mette Rasmussen / Chris Corsano
A View Of The Moon (From The Sun)
(Clean Feed)
Following their Relative Pitch album "All the Ghosts at Once", the free improvising duo of alto saxophonist Mette Rasmussen and drummer Chris Corsano, also on slide clarinet, release their 2nd album, a live concert at Cankarjev dom, in Ljubljana, Slovenia in 2015, pushing the limits on both instruments through radical technique and inventive approaches to their playing.

Drone Trio (Davis / Frith / Greenlief)
Lantskap Logic
(Clean Feed)
Recording in the Bay Area at the Mills College Chapel in Oakland, the Drone Trio of Fred Frith on electric guitar, Phillip Greenlief using extended techniques on alto & tenor saxophones, and Evelyn Davis on the Chapel's pipe organ, use the natural resonance of the chapel and their masterful skills as improvisors to evolve fervid and powerfully sonorous environments.

Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra (feat. Marilyn Crispell / Evan Parker)
Parallel Moments Unbroken [2CDS]
(FMR)
Scottland's large improvising ensemble of around 20 musicians, merging backgrounds in free improvisation, jazz, classical, folk, pop, experimental musics and performance art, in a 2-CD release of a piece commissioned by the BBC and featuring pianist Marilyn Crispell and saxophist Evan Parker, written using graphic scores, through composition, photographs and artwork.

Larry Ochs / Gerald Cleaver / Nels Cline
What Is To Be Done
(Clean Feed)
The first release from the trio of Nels Cline, Gerald Cleaver, and Larry Ochs in a 2016 concert at Gallery5 Arts, in Richmond, Virginia, captured as part of the trio's series touring around the Northeast each December since 2015, playing what Larry Ochs describes as music that "seeks sonically to soothe, to inspire, and to conspire", in three urgent and powerful improvisations.

Paul Dunmall Sun Ship Quartet (Skidmore / Kjaer / Solberg / Wastell)
John Coltrane 50Th Memorial Concert At Cafe Oto [2 CDs]
(Confront)
A stellar line-up commemorateing the 50th anniversary of John Coltrane's passing, showcasing Paul Dunmall's blistering Coltrane-influenced quartet together with special guest, lifelong Coltrane devotee saxophonist Alan Skidmore, and also marking the premiere performance of the newly formed international trio of Julie Kjaer (DK), Mark Wastell (GB) and Stale Liavik Solberg (NOR).

Mars Williams presents (w/ Berman / Lonberg-Holm / Baker / Kessler / Sandstrom / Hunt)
An Ayler Xmas: The Music of Albert Ayler & Songs of Christmas
(Soul What Records)
Chicago saxophonist Mars Williams directs his Albert Ayler tribute band, Witches and Devils, to merge Ayler-esque compositions with Christmas songs, performed by Josh Berman (cornet) Fred Lonberg-Holm (cello), Jim Baker (keys, viola), Kent Kessler (bass), Brian Sandstrom (bass, guitar, trumpet); an unexpected and welcome present for your free jazz festivities!

Sabu Toyozumi / Rick Countryman / Simon Tan
Preludes And Prepositions
(ChapChap Records)
Three extended free improvisations recorded in 2017 in Cubao Quezon City from the trio of Rick Countryman on alto saxophone, Simon Tan on acoustic bass, and Japense first generation free improviser Sabu Toyozumi on drums & Erhu (a 2-stringed Chinese instrument), as the trio take their listeners on a marathon session of inspired and playing.

Satoko Fujii Orchestra Tokyo
Kikoeru, Tribute to Masaya Kimura
(Libra)
Completing a year of monthly albums for pianist Satoko Fujii's "kanreki", or 60th birthday, is this impressive and cathartic album written for Fujii's Orchestra Tokyo as a tribute to late tenor saxophonist and 10 year orchestra member Masaya Kimura, with four compositions from Fujii and two from trumpeter Natsuki Tamura, in an album of both profound testimonly and celebratory release.

Anthony Braxton (w/ Taylor Ho Bynum / Bob Bresnan)
Eight Improvisations (Trio) 2014 [2 CDS]
(Tubapede)
Eight improvisations over two CDs from Anthony Braxton's trio with frequent collaborator Taylor Ho Bynum on cornet, flugelhorn and bass trumpet, and Bob Bresnan on piano, Braxton performing on sopranino, soprano, alto and baritone saxes, as the trio twists bop and free/experimental jazz in insightful and quick-witted way, a sublime addition to Braxton's catalog.

Mark Dresser Seven (Nicole Mitchell / Ehlrlich / GoGwilt / Dessen / White / Black / McLagan)
Ain't Nothing But A Cyber Coup & You
(Clean Feed)
The 2nd album for East/West Coast double bassist and composer Mark Dresser's Seven band, in a diverse set of lyrically intricate Dresser compositions using unusual and compelling rhythmic structures, with Nicole Mitchell on flute, Marty Ehrlich on clarinets & sax, Keir GoGwilt on violin, Michael Dessen on trombone, Joshua White on piano, and Jim Black on drums.

Anthony Braxton (w/ Nels Cline, Greg Saunier, Taylor Ho Bynum)
Quartet (New Haven) 2014 [4 CDs]
(Firehouse 12 Records)
A 4-CD box set documenting the meeting of a quartet featuring saxophonist, composer and conceptualist Anthony Braxton alongside improvising guitarist and Wilco star Nels Cline, drummer and Deerhoof founder Greg Saunier, and trumpeter Taylor Ho Bynum, each CD an hour-long, wide-ranging set leaving behind genre imitations as they perform Braxton's colorful graphic score.

Fish-Scale Sunrise (Ab Baars / Kaja Draksler / Joe Williamson
No Queen Rises
(Relative Pitch)
Their name taken from a poem by Wallace Stevens, the Netherlands-based trio of Ab Baars on sax and clarinet, Kaja Draksler on piano, and Joe Williamson on bass represent the spirit of the poem in seven compositions from Ab Baars plus two collective improvs, a great mix of serious and playful performance that diverts from detailed interaction to spacious reflectiveness.

Tyshawn Sorey
Pillars IV [VINYL 2 LPs 180g with DOWNLOAD]
(Firehouse 12 Records)
Vinyl edition with a unique 4-part, 4th "Pillar": Tyshawn Sorey in an amazing and ambitious work "Pillars", assembling an ensemble of virtuosic NY performers (Joe Morris, Todd Neufeld, Ben Gerstein, Stephen Hayes, Zach Rowden, Carl Test, Mark Helias) as he references Tibetan rituals, Stockhausen, and Anthony Braxton, and much more.

The Way Ahead (Roligheten / Alberts / Barno / Aleklint / Stahl / Hoyer / Ostvang)
Bells, Ghosts And Other Saints
(Clean Feed)
An incredibly informed and modern album of free jazz drawing on an Albert Ayler influence from the Norwegian and Swedish septet of Andre Roligheten on tenor saxophone, clarinet, Kristoffer Alberts on alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, Niklas Barno on trumpet, Mats Aleklint on trombone, Mattias Stahl on vibraphone, Ola Hoyer on double bass, and Tollef Ostvang on drums.

Friends & Neighbors (Roligheten / Johansson / Gronberg / Rune Strom / Ostvang)
What's Next?
(Clean Feed)
A great example of the Norwegian creative jazz scene, the quintet of Andree Roligheten on sax & clarinet, Thomas Johansson on trumpet, Oscar Gronberg on piano, Jon Rune Strom on double bass, and Tollef Ostvang on drums take their name from an Ornette Coleman LP, as they show us 'What's Next' by blending lyrical and free approaches with unexpected twists and turns.

Baczkowski / Lopez / Corsano
Old Smoke
(Relative Pitch)
This smoking album of free jazz leads the New York trio of Steve Baczkowski on saxophone, Brandon Lopez on bass, and Chris Corsano on drums to fiery playing as they burn up the stage at Hallwall, in Buffalo, New York in 2018, over seven concise collective conversations expressing both passion, restraint, and profoundly masterful skill.

Charles Gayle / John Edwards / Mark Sanders
Seasons Changing [2 CDs]
(Otoroku)
Recorded at Cafe Oto in London in 2017, legendary NY free jazz saxophonist Charles Gayle is joined by masterful free improvisers John Edwards on double bass and Mark Sanders for two live sets, released here in a limited 2-CD album, presenting the fire and range of all three players, from full-on aggressive and confrontational playing to deeply introspective.

Joe McPhee / Lol Coxhill / Chris Corsano / Evan Parker
Tree Dancing
(Otoroku)
A 2010 recording at London's Cafe Oto by the London / New York quartet of Lol Coxhill on soprano saxophone, Evan Parker on saxophones, Joe McPhee on saxophones, and Chris Corsano on drums & percussion, with McPhee introducing the set and starting with a tribute to Ornette Coleman, as the four perform seven intense "dances" as duos, trios and full quartet.

Jacob Sacks
Fishes
(Clean Feed)
Eleven new works from New York pianist Jacob Sacks in a quintet with some of NY's finest--Ellery Eskelin on tenor saxophone, Tony Malaby on tenor & soprano saxophones, Michael Formanek on bass, and Dan Weiss on drums--referencing traditional jazz influences like Monk & Mingus with superbly creative soloing fostered by the freedom of Sack's compositions.

Chris Pitsiokos / Susana Santos Silva / Torbjorn Zetterberg
Child Of Illusion
(Clean Feed)
A profound sense of drama in free playing from the young collective trio of NY saxophonist Chris Pitsiokos with the establish partnership of Portuguese trumpeter Susana Santos Silva and Swedish bassist Torbjourn Zetterberg, in chamber-like jazz, informed by their musical background that spreads over a myriad of aesthetics, full of nuance and beautiful interplay.

Satoko Fujii / Yuko Yamaoka
Diary 2005-2015: Tuko Yamaoka plays the music of Satoko Fujii [2 CDs]
(Libra)
A double CD of Satoko Fujii compositions, 56 short compositions from a series she started around 2005 to expand her skills as a composer, many of which fueled her many band's repertoires; in 2018 she asked respected classical pianist and educator Yuko Yamaoka to record this set of compositions as part of her 60th birthday monthly album set.

Ian Brighton
Marsh Gas [REISSUE]
(FMR)
Reissuing the 1977 album from UK guitarist Ian Brighton, written as an instrumental story for children, apparently very sophisticated children, in a mix of composed and freely improvised passages, using non-idiomatic approaches with unusual and extended techniques, open atmospheric passages and strange transitions, a peculiar and wonderful album of imaginative playing.

Marion Brown
Capricorn Moon To Juba Lee (remastered)
(Hat Hut Ezz-Thetics)
Merging and remastering two essential albums from free jazz saxophonist Marion Brown: his 1966 ESP album "Marion Brown Quartet" with trumpeter Alan Shorter, bassist Reggie Johnson and percussionist Rahied Ali; and his 1967 Fontana album "Juba-Lee" in a septet with Reggie Johnson, drummer Beaver Harris, pianist Dave Burrell, trombonist Grachan Moncur III & saxophonist Bennie Maupin.

Arild Andersen / Clive Bell / Mark Wastell
Tales Of Hackney
(Confront)
World instrumentation of shakuhachi, thai flute, shinobue, thai mouth organ, and shruti box blends with western orchestration of double bass, percussion and electronics as Clive Bell, Arild Andersen, and Mark Wastell come together in the studio after their well-received concert at Cafe Oto in London to develop these beautifully lyrical improvisations.

Don Cherry Trio
Studio 105, Paris 1967
(Hi Hat)
The complete broadcast on the French radio station ORTF of Don Cherry's work at Studio 105, Maison de l'ORTF, Paris in March of 1967, finding multi-instrumentalist/trumpeter Don Cherry, also on cornet, piano, bamboo flute, gong, performing with Karl Berger on vibes, marimba, piano, celeste & percussion, and Jacques Thollot on drums, bells, & timbales.

Linda Smith Catlin
Wanderer
(Another Timbre)
Eight sophisticated chamber pieces composed by Linda Catlin Smith and realized by the Canadian Apartment House ensemble, including a solo piano performed by Philip Thomas, a piano duo with Thomas and Mark Knoop, and works for percussion & cello, 2 quintet pieces for strings, percussion and winds, and two 7-piece conducted works with two percussionists, strings and brass.

Hearts & Minds (Jason Stein / Paul Giallorenzo / Chad Taylor)
Electroradiance
(Astral Spirits)
The second album from this New York and Chicago trio of bass clarinetist Jason Stein, keyboardist Paul Giallorenzo, and drummer Chad Taylor (replacing Frank Rosaly), a funky mix of jazz, electronics and rock that plays free but also melodically, absorbing styles and turning them into an upbeat, rhythmically exciting and lyrically effusive album.