Keiji Haino / Jim O'Rourke / Oren Ambarchi:
Each side has a depth of 5 seconds A polka dot pattern in horizontal array A flickering that moves vertically [VINYL] (Black Truffle)

Focused on powerful sonic environments, the 10th release from the trio of Keiji Haino, Jim O'Rourke and Oren Ambarchi find all three using electronics to create huge canvases over which Ambarchi performs on pedal steel, O'Rourke on synth and Haino on Suona, a Chinese double-reed, performing this exceptional 4-part improvisation recorded live at SuperDeluxe, in Tokyo, 2017. ... Click to View

Alvin Curran:
Fiori Chiari, Fiori Oscuri [VINYL] (Black Truffle)

Translating to "Light Flowers, Dark Flowers", Alvin Curran's 1978 release on his cooperative Ananda label receives its first remaster and reissue, bringing to life this joyfully surreal album of synthetic and acoustic instruments, field recordings and voice, unveiling itself like a cinematic work of dovetailed stories both reflective and energetically active. ... Click to View

David Behrman w/ Jon Gibson / Werner Durand :
ViewFinder / Hide & Seek [VINYL] (Black Truffle)

Three realizations of composer David Behrman's "Unforseen Events" work using computer algorithms to respond to pitch cues from an instrumentalist, first in Berlin in 1989 with Curran and Werner Durand on soprano sax, then in NY in 1999 with Jon Gibson on soprano sax; plus "ViewFinder" with Werner Durand using a motion-triggered camera to alter electronic & wind instrumental sound. ... Click to View

Ensemble Nist-Nah:
Elders (Black Truffle)

The debut of Ensemble Nist-Nah, a nine-piece collective group of French percussionists led by Nantes-based Australian drummer and percussionist Will Guthrie, incorporating a diverse set of influences including Gamelan performance, contemporary composition, noise and jazz into rich and ecstatic performances, an exciting album of informed approaches to modern and traditional percussion. ... Click to View

Ensemble Nist-Nah:
Elders [VINYL] (Black Truffle)

The debut of Ensemble Nist-Nah, a nine-piece collective group of French percussionists led by Nantes-based Australian drummer and percussionist Will Guthrie, incorporating a diverse set of influences including Gamelan performance, contemporary composition, noise and jazz into rich and ecstatic performances, an exciting album of informed approaches to modern and traditional percussion. ... Click to View

Heroes Are Gang Leaders:
LeAutoRoiOgraphy (577 Records)

Led by tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis and poet Thomas Sayers Ellis, this 12-piece ensemble of pointed and ecstatic free jazz and spoken word are heard at the 2019 Sons D'Hiver Festival in Paris, 2019, their sound influenced by chamber elements and sharpened through insightful and demanding observations and the influence of Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones). ... Click to View

Steve Lacy / Andrea Centazzo:
Clangs [VINYL] (Ictus)

Reissuing the first release on the Ictus Records label run by percussionist Andrea Centazzo, this 1976 album was the culmination of two weeks of touring Italy with saxophonist Steve Lacy, presented as a set of improvised free duets investigating timbral relationships, the fragmentation of melody, and abrasive, provocative noise. ... Click to View

Ben Miller :
In the Moment (Two Rooms)

Destroy All Monsters and Sensorium Saxophone Orchestra guitarist Ben Miller in an album of experimental solo guitar works, augmenting his guitar with effects, synthesizer, bass, tapes and radio to create seven fascinating works that reflects on his rock background through solid rhythmic and melodic hooks, but also captivates through unusual and suprising sonic elements. ... Click to View

Ben Miller:
In the Moment [VINYL] (Two Rooms)

Destroy All Monsters and Sensorium Saxophone Orchestra guitarist Ben Miller in an album of experimental solo guitar works, augmenting his guitar with effects, synthesizer, bass, tapes and radio to create seven fascinating works that reflects on his rock background through solid rhythmic and melodic hooks, but also captivates through unusual and suprising sonic elements. ... Click to View

Peter Ablinger / Biliana Voutchkova :
An Den Mond (Inexhaustible Editions)

An den Mond--magic spells for a healthier life--was developed between Austrian composer Peter Ablinger and violinist Bilian Voutchkova during the pandemic, consisting of 16 sequences of chants written by Ablinger and performed entrancingly by Voutchkova on voice and violin; plus Albinger's richly harmonic work "Augmented Study" for seven violins. ... Click to View

Nick Ashwood:
Unfolding/Overlay (Inexhaustible Editions)

Dedicated to Cor Fuhler, Tasmanian guitarist Nick Ashwood's extended composition is a thoughtfully introspective work of rich sonority, shifting harmonics and abstract tones generated through guitar bowing, recorded live to tape in two continuous recordings, the second overlaying the first as the work unfolds in a meditative and beautifully pensive manner. ... Click to View

Daniel Carter / Parker, William / Ughi, Federico:
The Dream (577 Records)

This album was developed to present Daniel Carter, typically a wind/reed/trumpeter player, on an album that included his piano playing, which then advanced by adding the goal of both Carter and long-time collaborator, drummer Federico Ughi, to record with bassist William Parker, who rounds out this excellent trio on bass, tuba and shakuhachi. ... Click to View

Kirk Knuffke / Frederico Ughi / Chris Welcome:
Garden Of Gifts (577 Records)

An early example of the focus and encompassing direction of the 577 label run by Italian-born/NY-based drummer Federico Ughi, in a trio with trumpeter Kirk Knuffke and guitarist Chris Welcome, building from an introspective approach to free playing as they expand their group energy through shards of organic sound, finally releasing into a beautiful "Inner Void". ... Click to View

Akchote / Halvorson / Frisell:
Loving Highsmith [2CDs] (Ayler)

The soundtrack to the documentary Loving Highsmith about thriller novelist Patricia Highsmith, with music composed by Belgium guitarist Noël Akchoté along with pieces by Cole Porter, Mancini, Johnny Mercer, Frank Sinatra, Hildegard von Bingen, Carl Fischer, &c, presented in two CDs, one each of duets between Akchoté and New York guitarists Mary Halvorson and Bill Frisell. ... Click to View

Peter Brotzmann Chicago Tentet:
Ultraman vs. Alien Metron [SINGLE SIDED VINYL] (Corbett vs. Dempsey)

Recorded during the 2002 studio sessions that yielded the albums A Short Visit to Nowhere and Broken English, this unreleased recording of a Mars Williams composition is issued as a 1-sided LP with the stellar lineup of Brötzmann with Williams, Ken Vandermark, Jeb Bishop, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Kent Kessler, Michael Zerang, Hamid Drake, Mats Gustafsson and Joe McPhee. ... Click to View

Ken Vandermark's Marker:
McPhee Marker [VINYL EP] (Corbett vs. Dempsey)

A 12-inch 45rpm EP from Chicago Ken Vandermark's band Marker with guest Joe McPhee on tenor saxophone, performing the Parliament Funkadelic track "Night of the Thumpasorus Peoples" and DNA's "Egomaniac's Kiss", with Vandermark on tenor & baritone saxophones plus guitarists Andrew Clinkman & Steve Marquette, keyboardist Macie Stewart and drummer Phil Sudderberg. ... Click to View

Daniel Carter / Matthew Shipp / William Parker / Gerald Cleaver :
Welcome Adventure! Vol. 2 (577 Records)

The 2nd of two studio albums from the quartet of Daniel Carter on saxophone & flute, Matthew Shipp on piano, William Parker on bass and Gerald Cleaver on drums, recordings from the same sessions as the 1st volume with five shorter works, as the long-time collaborators and friends show their nearly telepathic rapport in adventurous and masterful modern jazz. ... Click to View

Flying Luttenbachers, The (Walter / Dahl / Battistoni / Nelson / Ospovat):
Terror Iridescence (ugEXPLODE)

Perhaps the darkest and most experimental album from the Flying Luttenbachers, the 4th from the NYC-based version of Weasel Walter on guitars & drums+bagpipe chanter & electronics, Tim Dahl on bass, Katie Battistoni on guitar, Matt Nelson on sax & live electronics and Sam Ospovat on drums, in two extended, terrific collective improvisations. ... Click to View

Martin Escalante / Tete Leguia / Weasel Walter:
Katyusha (ugEXPLODE)

An aggressive album of ballistic free improvisation recorded live at Seizures Palace, in Brooklyn in 2021 from the trio of Martin Escalante on saxophone, Tete Leguia on bass guitar and Weasel Walter on drums, three tracks of sax multiphonics, altissimo shrieks and subtones, bass feedback, magnetic field disruption, found objects, and distortion and high impact drumming. ... Click to View

Johan Berthling :
Bjornhorn (thanatosis produktion)

An extended 7-part solo improvisation from Swedish double bassist Johan Berthling (Angles, Fire!, Nacka Forum, Sten Sandell Trio, &c) using magnificent technique, timing and pacing in a diverse set that includes a reference to Charlie Hayden's "Turiya". ... Click to View

Masayuki Takayanagi / New Direction:
Station '70: Call in Question / Live Independence [VINYL 3 LP BOX] (Black Editions)

Reissuing and remastering the two PSF albums from Japanese improvising guitarist Masayuki Takayanagi's New Directions group of bassist Motoharu Yoshizawa, saxophonist Mototeru Takagi and drummer Sabu Toyozumi, plus a previously unreleased side-long "Mass Projection" recording, presented in a deluxe 3 LP box set with images by Yuji Itsumi and liner notes in English and Japanese. ... Click to View

Masayuki Takayanagi / New Direction:
Eclipse [VINYL] (Black Editions)

Eclipse has always been the most mysterious of the Takayanagi and New Direction records, originally issued in an edition of 100 copies, this reissue remasters the album from the original tapes to present the unique vision of improvising guitarist Masayuki Takayanagi and his band with Kenji Mori on alto sax, flute & recorder, Nobuyoshi Ino on bass and Hiroshi Yamazaki on drums. ... Click to View

Samuel Blaser / Oscar Stranoy / Luciano Berio: Ensemble Songs & Sarah Maria Sun :
Folk Songs (Blaser Music)

The project and ensemble "Songs" brings together Swiss trombonist & composer Samuel Blaser and pianist & composer Oscar Strasnoy, taking the instrumentation and concept of Lucio Berio's Folksongs and expanding it into Blaser's "Worksongs", a set of songs around Mississippi Delta blues, and Strasnoy's "Chanzuns Popularas Rumanchas" based on the traditional music of the Canton of Grisons. ... Click to View

M. Klein / Steffan de Turck:
A New City [VINYL w/ DOWNLOAD] (Het Generiek)

A collaborative album from Dutch sound artists M. Klein (Adept, Sweat Tongue) and Steffan de Turck (Staplerfahrer) using field recordings and keyboards in two extended sound collages that take familiar sounds and transform them into a journey through an imagined land, accompanied by melodic synthetic fragments, a reflective work like a lost memory. ... Click to View

Gordoa / Malfon / Edwards / Narvesen :
Substantial Myths (Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))

Vibraphonist Emilio Gordoa leads this superb quartet with Don Malfon on alto & baritone saxophones, John Edwards on double bass and Dag Magnus Narvesen on drums, in an incredible live performance at the 2019 Alte Gerberei Artacts Festival in Austria, a captivating set of creative techniques yielding well-controlled passages of both intense activity and unique introspection. ... Click to View

Samo Salamon / New Freequestra:
Free Distance, Vol. 2: Poems are Opening [2 CDs] (Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))

With titles for the album and all compositions from a poem by US poet E.E. Cummings, guitarist Samo Salamon developed these structured improvisations during the pandemic, inviting a set of masterful improvisers including Martin Küchen, Luis Viocente, Vasco Trilla, Emanuele Parrini, &c. &c. to contribute to these magnificent long distance collective improvisations. ... Click to View

SteDaJoDa (Studer / Scheib / Weber / Schmitz):
Schwebend (Creative Sources)

A live recording of free improvisation recorded at Theater im Viertel, in Saarbrucken, Germany in 2021 from the SteDaJoDa quartet of Daniel Studer on double bass, Stefan Scheib on double bass, Daniel Weber on drums and Johannes Schmitz on guitar, the dark double bass foundation and floating ("Schwebend") percussion work balanced by Schmitz' blues oriented electric. ... Click to View

Eclectic Maybe Band:
Again Alors? (Discus)

Led by Univers Zero bassist and composer Guy Seger, the third album from Eclectic Maybe Band combines elements of rock, jazz, electronic and abstract landscapes, performed by an ensemble of chamber rock players including Discus label leader Martin Archer, varying groupings within the band focusing on each section in a mix of composed and improvised approaches. ... Click to View

Quartetski (Ceccarelli / Falaise / Lauzier / Martel):
Cage (Ambiances Magnetiques)

Quartetski--the Montereal quartet of Isaiah Ceccarelli on percussion & synthesizer, Bernard Falaise on electric guitar, Philippe Lauzier on bass clarinet & synthesizer and Pierre on Yves Martel on electric bass, perform John Cage's 1992 Numbers work "Four6" and "One7", a variation on "Four6", an incredible and insightful interpretation of this fascinating work. ... Click to View

Ensemble SuperMusique:
Sonne l'image (Ambiances Magnetiques)

The collective ensemble Supermusique featuring key performers from Montréal's musique actuelle scene, including Jean Derome, Isaiah Ceccarelli, Joane Hetu, Danielle Palardy, &c. perform "Sounding the Image", three animated scores composed through the creation of moving images and rendered live in a remarkable concert at Amphiteatre de Gesu, in Montreal in 2019. ... Click to View