The Squid's Ear
Recently @ Squidco:

Matt Lavelle & The 12 Houses:
The Crop Circles Suite (Mahakala Music)

An album to absorb and get excited over, as Matt Lavelle pursues a long-running dream to bring his 12 Houses Orchestra to record, here in an incredible collection of compositions, just the first set of a larger concept of solid jazz pieces that pivot on astrology and numerology as reflected in time signature, bar lines, melody notes, chords, and intervals; powerful, lyrical, spectacular work! ... Click to View


Luke Stewart Silt Trio (w/ Settles / Crudup or Taylor):
Unknown Rivers (Pi Recordings)

The long-running Silt Trio led by DC bassist and composer Luke Stewart, with Brian Settles on tenor sax and either drummer Trae Crudup or Chad Taylor, in their debut for Pi Recordings with seven Stewart compositions founded around his deep grooves; playful and sophisticated work that leave room for tremendous soloing and support from each trio configuration. ... Click to View


Marilyn Crispell / Jason Stein / Damon Smith / Adam Shead:
Spi-Raling Horn (Balance Point Acoustics)

A collaboration between the working trio of bass clarinetist Jason Stein, double bassist Damon Smith, and drummer Adam Shead, adding pianist Marilyn Crispell, initiated by Smith & Crispell's admiration of painter Cy Twombly, whose artwork graces this album's cover, recorded live and complete in the studio after two live concerts between the quartet; masterful collective improv! ... Click to View


Clara Lai (Lai / Reviriego / Roca):
Corpos (Phonogram Unit)

The debut album from pianist Clara Lai's Barcelona-based trio with Alex Reviriego on double bass and Oriol Roca on drums, Lai's background in classical and jazz improvisation felt in the precision of her playing as the trio explores collective construction and structural improvisation, coaxing active and contemplative moments among uniquely experimental approaches. ... Click to View


Sam Newsome / Max Johnson:
Tubes (Unbroken Sounds)

A rollicking and unusual duo with a fair sense of humor and tremendous instrumental skill between saxophonist Sam Newsome (SoundNoiseFunk, Steve Swell) performing on soprano sax with horn preparations and toys, and double bassist Max Johnson, who composed six of the seven pieces on this compelling album, the seventh being an intriguing cover of Thelonious Monk's "Blue Monk". ... Click to View


Rob Mazurek:
Milan (Clean Feed)

A deeply personal and spiritual solo journey that unfolds from near-silence to powerful, ritualistic expression, from Chicago trumpeter and improviser Rob Mazurek, recording for Radio Popolare in Milan, Italy while performing on trumpet, piccolo trumpet, piano, prepared piano, sampler, magic yellow bucket, bells, shakers, flutes, voice, and various percussion. ... Click to View


Rahma Quartet (Rasha Ragab / Christoph Nicolaus / Werner Dafeldecker / Lucio Capece) :
"Mercy Is Called Down By Mercy To The Last" Live (Meenna)

A multinational quartet based in Germany led by Egyptian artist Rasha Ragab who chose and recites the texts — poems from Persian mystic al-Hallaj (858-922 AD) — in this extended piece of sound-oriented instrumental compostions from Lucio Capece, who also performs on bass clarinet, in a quartet with Werner Dafeldecker on double bass and Christoph Niolaus on stone harp. ... Click to View


Perturbations:
That's Where the Unknown Is (Evil Clown)

"Perturbed" by the sonic intervention of sound engineer and performer Joel Simches, who applies various effect processes to the continually morphing free improvisations of Boston collective players David Peck on reeds, percussion and synthetics, Michael Caglianone on soprano, alto & tenor saxophones, clarinet, flute & percussion, and Albey onBass on bass and percussion. ... Click to View


Leap of Faith / Kane Loggia Hypothesis:
Interconnected by Testable Relations (Evil Clown)

A split release between two essential duos from the Boston-area Evil Clown collective: first, the core duo of Leap of Faith — David Peck on reeds & percussion and Glynis Lomon on cellos, aquasonic & voice — in a trio with trumpeter John Fugarino; second, the Kane Loggia Hypothesis duo of Bonnie Kane on sax, flute & electronics and John Loggia on drums, in a trio with drummer Ben James. ... Click to View


Cecil Taylor Unit (w/ Lyons / Silva / Cooper / Murray):
Live At Fat Tuesdays 1980 - First Visit Archive [CD + POSTCARDS] (ezz-thetics by Hat Hut Records Ltd)

A superb and extended live performance from 1980 at NYC's Fat Tuesday jazz club, from the outstanding sextet of forward-thinking free improvisers, Jimmy Lyons on alto sax, Ramsey Ameen on violin, Alan Silva on double bass & cello, Jerome Cooper on drums & African Balaphone and Sunny Murray on drums, led by Cecil Taylor on piano in an ecstatic concert never previously released. ... Click to View


Marion Brown :
Three For Shepp to Gesprachsfetzen Revisited (ezz-thetics by Hat Hut Records Ltd)

Remastering and restoring Marion Brown's 1967 Impulse! album with Grachan Moncure III, Dave Burrel, Stanley Cowell, Sirone, Beaver Harris & Bobby Capp, and his 1968 album on the Calig label with Gunter Hampel, Steve McCall, Ambrosa Jackson & Buschi Niedergall; two albums of essential "New Thing" work through fascinating composed forms by Brown, plus Archie Shepps' "Delicado"; essential. ... Click to View


Ghost Trees (Nanaa / Bagwell):
Universal Topics [VINYL] (Future Recordings)

Recording in the Van Gelder studio in NJ, the Ghost Trees Duo of Seth Nanaa on drums and Brent Bagwell on tenor saxophone release an album of nine inventive dialogs, expressive and energetic jazz born from fifteen years working together, from the trio The Eastern Seaboard to their own hard-working duo and recent Ghost Tree Big Band project. ... Click to View


Jose Lencastre (Genovese / Gress / Branco):
Safe In Your Own World (Phonogram Unit)

A first time meeting between drummer João Lencastre and bassist Drew Gress, and an extension of the long association between Lencastre and pianist Leo Genovese, recorded during a short tour as a trio, inviting guitarist Pedro Branco for this studio date to add energetic urgency to Lencastre's melodically charged compositions, yielding great soloing and interplay. ... Click to View


Devouring the Guilt (Bill Harris / Gerrit Hatcher / Eli Namay):
Not To Want To Say (Kettle Hole Records)

Releasing their first album in 2017, the collective trio of Chicago improvisers Bill Harris on drums, Gerrit Hatcher on tenor saxophone and Eli Namay on bass (now based in Pittsburgh), this third release is their first studio album, in two long-form improvisations that work on a spontaneous canvas of edgy contemplation and assertive conversation. ... Click to View


Caveira (Gomes / Sousa / Abras / Ferrandini):
Ficar Vivo [VINYL] (Shhpuma)

Originally formed in 2005 by guitarist Pedro Gomes as a Portuguese free rock group, this Lisboa-based band has transformed into this burning quartet that bridges rock and free improv in both savage and brooding moments, from the superb quartet of Gomes on guitar, Pedro Sousa on saxophone, Gabriel Ferrandini on drums and Miguel Abras on electric bass. ... Click to View


Karin Johansson / Finn Loxbo :
Vent (Omlott)

Performing on prepared piano & accordion (Karin Johansson) and guitar & electronics (Fin Loxbo), this Swedish duo explore unhurried and varied soundscapes, their skill and discerning motion allowing individual sounds space for clear expression in virtual narratives, the album's tracks captured in a variety of locations including the resonance of an old water reservoir. ... Click to View


Karin Johansson / Finn Loxbo :
Vent [VINYL] (Omlott)

Performing on prepared piano & accordion (Karin Johansson) and guitar & electronics (Fin Loxbo), this Swedish duo explore unhurried and varied soundscapes, their skill and discerning motion allowing individual sounds space for clear expression in virtual narratives, the album's tracks captured in a variety of locations including the resonance of an old water reservoir. ... Click to View


Karin Johansson / Lisen Rylander Love:
Arter (Havtorn Records)

The Swedish title translating to "Species", the contemplatively elegant interactions between pianist Karin Johansson and tenor saxophonist Lisen Rylander are named for extinct species of animals and plants, as the two improvise over the loss of species that disappear from the earth every year, their wistful music augmented through preparations, kalimbas, live electronics and percussion. ... Click to View


Michel Banabila / Stijn Huwels / Cok Van Vuuren :
One Moment In Time [CASSETTE] (Tapu Records)

Extending their initial collaboration "One Moment in Time", released during the pandemic and picked up by Apple Music's Pure Meditation playlist, the trio of Stijn Huwels on electric guitar & pedals, Cok van Vuuren on dobro & mando guitars, and Michel Banabila on keys, sampler, voice & granular fx, extend their catalog with "Across the Sky", a beautifully warm work of layered drones. ... Click to View


Angles & Elle-Kari with Strings:
The Death of Kalypso (thanatosis produktion)

The 12th album from Martin Küchen's Angles ensemble is expanded and developed with notations and string arrangements from Alexander Zethson, and the voice of Elle-Kari Sander, in an engrossing album of powerfully compelling jazz rhythms & soloing, orchestral swells and emphatic songs pivoting around the mythology of the nymph Calypso, woven into contemporary concepts; sensational! ... Click to View


Angles & Elle-Kari with Strings:
The Death of Kalypso [VINYL 2 LPs] (thanatosis produktion)

The 12th album from Martin Küchen's Angles ensemble is expanded and developed with notations and string arrangements from Alexander Zethson, and the voice of Elle-Kari Sander, in an engrossing album of powerfully compelling jazz rhythms & soloing, orchestral swells and emphatic songs pivoting around the mythology of the nymph Calypso, woven into contemporary concepts; sensational! ... Click to View


Joel Futterman / William Parker:
Why (Soul City Sounds)

Having worked together as members of the Kidd Jordan Quartet, pianist Joel Futterman and bassist William Parker recorded these collective duo improvisations in the studio in New York City in 2020, a perfect match of technical mastery pushing the boundaries of free playing through creative use of tonality, rhythm, and harmony from two extraordinarily compatibile improvisers. ... Click to View


Leo Genovese / John Lockwood / Nat Mugavero:
The Art Of Not Playing (577 Records)

Quite a bit of insightful collective playing actually, from the trio of New York-based Argentinian pianist Leo Genovese, bassist John Lockwood and drummer Nat Mugavero, in seven untitled studio improvisations that explore open approaches to their conversations through unhurried, masterful, expressive and explorative playing with an upbeat attitude. ... Click to View


ORD:
Hemligheter pa vagen (Havtorn Records)

Inspired by the memoir from Swedish poet Tomas Tranströmer, this first album from the ORD quintet uses text from Tranströmer and original work from pianist & composer Karin Johansson and vocalist Jenny Willén, with trombonist Niclas Rhyd, reedist Gunnel Samuelsson and bassist Hasse Westling, in an exquisite set of introspective songs that bridge composed and improvised forms. ... Click to View


ORD:
Hemligheter pa vagen [VINYL] (Havtorn Records)

Inspired by the memoir from Swedish poet Tomas Tranströmer, this first album from the ORD quintet uses text from Tranströmer and original work from pianist & composer Karin Johansson and vocalist Jenny Willén, with trombonist Niclas Rhyd, reedist Gunnel Samuelsson and bassist Hasse Westling, in an exquisite set of introspective songs that bridge composed and improvised forms. ... Click to View


Leap Of Faith Chinese Orchestra:
Magic Squares (Evil Clown)

A unique and fascinating edition of the Leap of Faith Orchestra, bringing special guests Jimmy Zhao, Yazhi Gao, Jiaxin Winky Wan, Ziya Gao, and Kaixin Hou performing on Chinese instruments to join with the core duo of David Peck on clarinets, saxophones, clarinets & flutes, Glynis Lomon on cello, aquasonic & voice, along with percussionist/drummer Michael Knoblach and bassist Scott Samenfeld. ... Click to View


Evil Clown Shorties :
Volume 2 (2023-2024) (Evil Clown)

While typically performing and releasing extended improvisations that last an hour or more, before each of the Evil Clown's Livestreamed performances they record a short improvisation, referred to as "Shorties", taking approaches that yield unique character to the longer works, collected here in 15 recordings with permutations of regular collective members. ... Click to View


Peter Brotzmann / Majid Bekkas / Hamid Drake:
Catching Ghosts (ACT Music + Vision)

A powerful, spiritual and warmly dynamic album of international and cross-cultural free improvisation meticulously recorded live at Jazzfest Berlin in 2022 from the trio of German reedist Peter Brötzmann on tenor saxophone and clarinet, Chicago drummer/percussionist Hamid Drake, and Moroccan guembri player and vocalist Majid Bekkas. ... Click to View


Ivo Perelman Quartet (w/ Shipp / Helias / Rainey):
Water Music (RogueArt)

After shattering the mouthpiece he had used for years, tenor saxophonist Ivo Perelman searched for a replacement, choosing the same mouthpiece used by Paul Desmond, provoking a shift in style to more melodic lines, as heard in this studio album performed with the exemplary quartet of pianist Matthew Shipp, double bassist Mark Helias and drummer Tom Rainey. ... Click to View


Joel Futterman / Ike Levin Duo:
Infinite Dimensions (CLM)

Two spontaneously composed original improvisation from the collaborative partnership of Ike Levin on tenor saxophone and Joel Futterman on piano & Indian flute, their long history together allowing great depth of connection, passionate expression and periods of reflective contemplation, weaving their playing with meticulous detail inside an impressive and masterful journey. ... Click to View



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The Squid's Ear
Facebook: Squidco Sales

Op-Ed (Opinions and Editorials)


  Squidco Record Store Day 2024 Sales  
Squidco RSD 2024

On the weekend of April 20, 2024 (from Friday April 19 - Sunday April 21) we celebrate Record Store Day, a day set aside to celebrate independent record stores selling physical media. Squidco has 21 years of experience as a retail and distribution service focused on these important art objects, presenting music that can be admired for their superior quality of sound, interesting artwork, insightful liner notes and other distinctive attributes unique to physical media. We also celebrate those who build substantial libraries of extraordinary music, following their personal interests as they expand their knowledge of great and important music.

To recognize this year's Record Store Day we have partnered with labels New Braxton House and 577 Records to offer a selection of their albums at 50% off their retail price. In addition we've added a set of vinyl LPs from labels including Astral Spirits, Corbett vs. Dempsey, Editions, Greenleaf, Greyfade, NoBusiness, Tubapede, zOaR Records, and many more, also at 50% off their retail prices.



Sales start Friday morning, April 19th and run through Sunday, April 21st at midnight






New Braxton House Box Sets & CDs @ 50% Off:

Braxton, Anthony: 12 Duets (DCWM) 2012 [12 CD Box Set] (New Braxton House)

Newly Distributed in 2021: A 12-CD set presenting Braxton in dialogue with three distinctive duet partners: violinist Erica Dicker, vocalist Kyoko Kitamura and bassoonist Katherine Young, recorded in the summer of 2012 over two sessions with each player, a remarkable and expansive set of innovative and creative improvisation.



Braxton, Anthony & Taylor Ho Bynum: Duo (Amherst) 2010 [DVD] (New Braxton House)

Newly Distributed in 2021: Limited edition DVD plus audio files of two extended sets bringing saxophonist Anthony Braxton and cornetist Taylor Ho Bynum together live at Bezanson Recital Hall in Amherst, MA in 2010, performing compositions by both artists.



Braxton, Anthony: GTM (Syntax) 2017 [12 CD BOX SET] (New Braxton House)

A 12-hour collection over 12 CDs of composer Anthony Braxton's Ghost Trance Music (GTM), a compositional system he developed with his superlative Tri-Centric Vocal Ensemble, GTM allowing the ensemble to generate a performance in real time in a mix of sung, spoken, and non-verbal utterances, with unpredictable and surprising results that reveal fascinating layers with each listen.



Braxton, Anthony : Quintet (Tristano) 2014 [7 CDs] (New Braxton House)

Newly Distributed in 2021: Composer and jazz master Anthony Braxton performing on piano in a septet with saxophonists Jackson Moore and Andre Vida, bassist Eivind Opsvik and drummer Mike Szekely, exploring the compositions of Lennie Tristano plus peers Billy Bauer, Connie Crothers, Warne Marsh, Sal Mosca, &c.



Braxton, Anthony and the Tri-Centric Orchestra: Trillium E [4 CDs] (New Braxton House)

Newly Distributed in 2021: Trillium E is the first-ever studio recording of an Anthony Braxton opera, a deluxe 4-disc set of this surreal and witty installment in Braxton's ongoing Trillium cycle, and includes a booklet with libretto, photos, and critical essays.



Braxton, Anthony: Trillium J [4 CDs + Blu Ray] (New Braxton House)

Newly Distributed in 2021: A multimedia box set of Anthony Braxton's opera work "Trillium J", containing live performance video on Blu-ray disc of a 2014 performance at Roulette in NY, and studio recording on 4-CD set, with 12 vocalists, 12 instrumental soloists and a full orchestra.










577 LP's @ 50% Off:

Ackerley, Jessica / Patrick Shiroishi / Chris Williams / Luke Stewart / Jason Nazary: SSWAN: Invisibility is an Unnatural Disaster [VINYL] (577 Records)

Rugged, experimental and avant jazz in the debut album from the SSWAN group of Patrick Shiroishi on saxophones, Chris Williams on trumpet, Jessica Ackerley on electric guitar, Luke Stewart on bass and Jason Nazary on drums, the group focused first on sound and velocity rather than pitch and harmonic information as they carve out a unique space between free jazz and free improv.



Amba, Zoh / William Parker / Francisco Mela: O Life, O Light Vol. 2 [VINYL] (577 Records)

The second volume from the trio of Tennessee-to-NYC transplant Zoe Amba on tenor saxophone & flute, legendary double bassist William Parker and Francisco Mela on drums, performing three compositions by Amba recorded in the studio in NYC; emphatic free jazz with a powerful rhythm section elucidating Amba's spiritually fueled approach to compelling, lyrical improvisation.



Carter, Daniel / Evan Strauss / 5-Track / Sheridan Riley: The Uproar In Bursts Of Sound And Silence [VINYL] (577 Records)

A collage of styles and experimentation developed over several years by bassist and multi-instrumentalist Evan Strauss, using long-form graphically notated conceptual compositions based on bird calls along with thematic material from Ursula K. Le Guin, expanded with narration and poetry from Daniel Carter and titled from an excerpt by Virginia Woolf.



Carter, Daniel / Matthew Shipp / William Parker / Gerald Cleaver: Welcome Adventure! Vol. 2 [VINYL] (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.



Carter, Daniel / Matthew Shipp / William Parker / Gerald Cleaver : Welcome Adventure! Vol. 1 [VINYL] (577 Records)

After decades playing together, the quartet of Daniel Carter on tenor sax, trumpet & flute, Matthew Shipp on piano, William Parker on bass, and Gerald Cleaver on drums, release the first of two planned studio albums, with two extended and remarkably warm collective excursions bookending a shorter "Scintillate", in an exceptionally solid album of masterful modern jazz.



Carter, Daniel / Patrick Holmes / Matthew Putman / Hilliard Greene / Federico Ughi: Telepatica [VINYL] (577 Records)

Named for the long history of collaboration over decades, the NY free jazz Telepathic Band of Daniel Carter on saxophones, clarinet & trumpet, Patrick Holmes on clarinet, Matthew Putman on piano, Rhodes, Hilliard Greene on bass and Federico Ughi on drums are heard live at the 2018 Forward Festival in Brooklyn, NY for four outstandingly informed improvisations.



Carter, Daniel / Patrick Holmes / Matthew Putman / Hilliard Greene / Federico Ughi: Telepathic Mysteries Vol. 1 [VINYL] (577 Records)

Referring to an improvisational style only possible after many years of collaboration, which they refer to as a "ghostly, boundary-pushing music between friends", this is the 4th sublime album from the quintet of Daniel Carter on reeds & trumpet, Patrick Holmes on clarinet, Matthew Putman on piano & keys, Hilliard Greene on bass, and Federico Ughi on drums.



Carter, Daniel / Tobias Wilner / Djibril Toure / Federico Ughi: New York United Volume 2 [VINYL] (577 Records)

The second volume of this rich and exotic quartet in a sublime merging of jazz, electronics and compositional approaches yielding melodically dream-like music and environments, from reedist, flutist && trumpeter Daniel Carter, Tobias Wilner (Blue Foundation) on synth and keys, Wu-Tang Clan bassist Djibril Toure and Italian/NY drummer Federico Ughi.



Carter, Daniel / Tobias Wilner / Djibril Toure / Federico Ughi: New York United [VINYL + DOWNLOAD] (577 Records)

An excellent blend of electronics and acoustics as saxophonist, flutist and trumpeter Daniel Carter meets sound artist Tobias Wilner from world-renowned electronic pop band Blue Foundation, with Wu-Tang Clan bass player Djibril Toure and drum wiz Federico Ughi rounding out this forward-thinking album of hazy and rhythmic electroacoustic environments.



Cleaver, Gerald / Brandon Lopez / Hprizm: In The Wilderness [VINYL] (Positive Elevation / 577 Records)

Drawn from an experimental improv performance by drummer Gerald Cleaver and bassist Brandon Lopez at 577 Records' 2019 Forward Festival, electronic artist and producer Hprizm of the Antipop Consortium took those recording to reconstruct twelve works of illusory and often surreal music, from active beat-based electronica to hazy dreamlike ambience.



Conly, Sean: The Buzz [VINYL] (577 Records)

A mix of lyrical, free and traditional compositions, the majority from leader, New York bassist Sean Conly, along with pieces from long-time collaborator Michael Attias, Sam Rivers and Paul Motian, performed in the piano trio format with drummer Francisco Mela and pianist Leo Genovese, a great balance of jazz steeped in tradition but living fully in the present.



Coultrain: Phantasmagoria [VINYL] (577 Records)

West Coast songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Coultrain, aka Aaron Michael Frison or Seymour Liberty, in an collection of songs based around a sequence of images reminiscent of a dream, capturing the hazy state of mind that drove the process behind this album, as well as its dreamy effect; soulful and introspective, an album of poetic observation and reflection.



Coultrain: Mundus [VINYL] (Positive Elevations)

West Coast songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Coultrain, aka Aaron Michael Frison or Seymour Liberty, in a sequel to his Phantasmagoria album, a soulful, introspective and lyrical collection of songs based around a sequence of images reminiscent of a dream, capturing the hazy state of mind that drove the process behind this album, as well as its dreamy effect.



Dikeman, John / Pat Thomas / John Edwards / Steve Noble: Volume 2 [VINYL] (577 Records)

The second of two volumes from the quartet of John Dikeman on tenor saxophone, Pat Thomas on piano, John Edwards on bass and Steve Noble on drums, bringing the American saxophonist working throughout Europe together with this nearly telepathic collaborative grouping of UK frequent collaborators, captured in concert at Cafe OTO in 2019 for two absorbing improvisations.



Dikeman, John / Pat Thomas / John Edwards / Steve Noble: Volume 1 [VINYL] (577 Records)

The first of two planned volumes from the quartet of John Dikeman on tenor saxophone, Pat Thomas on piano, John Edwards on bass and Steve Noble on drums, bringing the American saxophonist working throughout Europe together with this nearly telepathic collaborative grouping of UK frequent collaborators, captured in concert at Cafe OTO in 2019 for two absorbing improvisations.



Heroes Are Gang Leaders: LeAutoRoiOgraphy [BLACK VINYL] (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).



Hprizm: Signs Remixed [BLACK VINYL] (577 Records)

577 Records' experimental, electronic sub-label Positive Elevation releases this remix of Gerald Cleaver's Signs album, itself an innovative album of synthetic rhythms and sonic landscape, here reworked by producer Hprizm, aka High Priest of Antipop Consortium, channeling Cleaver's work into dream-like territory that re-thinks and re-paces the original.



Magee, Massimo: Toneflower [VINYL] (577 Records)

A solo sax album of patterns and intersections from London writer, artist & musician Massimo Magee, influenced by a wealth of sources from Braxton to Stockhausen, each of the five parts of Toneflower affected through mic placement as Magee builds to wild expressiveness, transforming round tones into stratospheric pitches, using circular breathing for extended expressiveness; stunning!



Mela, Francisco feat. Cooper-Moore / William Parker: Music Frees Our Souls, Vol. 2 [VINYL] (577 Records)

The second volume of Music Frees Our Souls, the trio of Francisco Mela on drums, Cooper-Moore on piano and William Parker on bass, recording in the studio in Brooklyn two extended, far reaching and powerful collective improvisations of music performed under the influence of Mela's work with, mentorship by and encouragement from pianist McCoy Tyner.



Musson, Rachel / Pat Thomas / Mark Sanders: Shifa - Live In Oslo [VINYL] (577 Records)

Performing as part of the Blow Out Festival 2019, the UK improvising trio Shifa, meaning "healing", of Rachel Musson on tenor saxophone, Pat Thomas on piano, and Mark Sanders on drums, are captured live in Oslo for four dramatic and masterful collective improvisations, passionate and building works, releasing their tension and rebuilding in powerful waves.



Nagano, Sana (w/ Apflebaum / Matsuno / Filiano / Herternstein): Smashing Humans [VINYL] (577 Records)

The debut of a new electric jazz quintet from NY violinist Sana Nagano, with Peter Appfelbaum on tenor saxophone & megaphone, Keisuke Matsuno on electric guitar, Ken Filiano on acoustic bass & effects, and Joe Hertenstein on drums, an inventive and energetic album of joyful urgency and tremendous group dynamic, fueled by Nagano's exuberant and lyrical compositions.



Nichunimu (Vergara / Carrasco / Mardones): Un Cacho de Metal, Un Resto de Vaiven [VINYL] (577 Records)

Experimental improvisation that moves in and out of jazz territory from the Chilean trio of Benjamin Vergara on trumpet, Nicolas Carrasco on synthesizer and Matias Mardones on percussion, recording in the studio the day after their performance at the 2019 Relincha Festival in Ciudad de Valdivia, focusing on patterns of circularity and repetition to inform their playing.



Sarian, Michael / Matthew Putman: A Lifeboat (Part I) [VINYL] (577 Records)

The first of two planned volumes of studio improvisations between Brooklyn trumpeter & flugelhorn player Michael Sarian and keyboardist Matthew Putman, recorded in Sarin's home studio during the 2020 pandemic, allowing freedom in exploration as they sought out cadences, rhythms and melodies, this 1st volume presenting the finest of their investigations.



Tucker, Dave / Pat Thomas / Thurston Moore / Mark Sanders: Educated Guess Vol. 1 [VINYL] (577 Records)

The "guess" was guitarist and electronics artist Dave Tucker's educated guess that these four musicians--himself, pianist/keyboardist Pat Thomas, guitarist Thurston Moore and drummer/percussionist Mark Sanders--would create someting extraordinary if he brought them together for a concert at London's Cafe OTO, this boundary-pushing album the indisputably successful result.








Other RSD Weekend Vinyl Releases @ 50% Off:

Artifacts (Nicole Mitchell / Tomeka Reid / Mike Reed): ...and then there's this [VINYL] (Astral Spirits)

Confirming their place in Chicago's improv legacy, the second album from the Artifacts Trio of Nicole Mitchell on flute & electronics, Tomeka Reid on cello and Mike Reed on drums & percussion expand the AACM canon with compositions from each member, plus several insightful and lively collective improvisations and one piece each from Roscoe Mitchell and Muhal Richard Abrams.



Coley, Byron: Dating Tips for Touring Bands [VINYL] (Hot Cars Warp)

The first spoken word LP by author, music journalist, poet, and head of Ecstatic Yod Records, Byron Coley, talking about underground cultural history in verse on Side A, and reading from his forthcoming novel, "Dominoes" on the B Side.



Davis, Anthony / Paul Plimley / Al Neil / John Kameel Farah: Past Piano Present | Live at Western Front 1985 - 2015 [VINYL LP with DOWNLOAD] (Western Front New Music)

Four innovative and creative pianists performing solo at the Western Front between 1985 and 2015--Anthony Davis, Paul Plimley, Al Neil, John Kameel Farah--compiled on this extraordinary LP, the 2nd essential archive from one of Canada's most important performance spaces.



Douglas, Dave: Showing Up / The Power of the Vote [7" VINYL] (Greenleaf Music)

2019 Record Store Day release, a 7" from trumpeter Dave Douglas in two different configurations: the lead track from his album "Engage" featuring guitarist Jeff Parker and cellist Tomeka Reid along with Anna Webber, Nick Dunston & Kate Gentile; and a B-Side from 2018's "Uplift" featuring Joe Lovano and Bill Laswell alongside Mary Halvorson, Julian Lage, and Ian Chang.



continued...




The Squid's Ear presents
reviews about releases
sold at Squidco.com
written by
independent writers.

Squidco

Recent Selections @ Squidco:


Jose Lencastre (
Genovese/
Gress/
Branco):
Safe In
Your Own World
(Phonogram Unit)



Michel Banabila/
Stijn Huwels/
Cok Van Vuuren:
One Moment In Time
[CASSETTE]
(Tapu Records)



Marion Brown :
Three For Shepp
to
Gesprachsfetzen
Revisited
(ezz-thetics by
Hat Hut Records
Ltd)



Cecil Taylor Unit (
w/ Lyons/
Silva/
Cooper/
Murray):
Live At
Fat Tuesdays
1980 -
First Visit Archive
[CD + POSTCARDS]
(ezz-thetics by
Hat Hut Records
Ltd)



Angles & Elle-Kari
with Strings:
The Death of Kalypso
(thanatosis produktion)



Joel Futterman/
William Parker:
Why
(Soul City Sounds)



Henry Kaiser:
The Lost Chord
(Metalanguage)



Joel Futterman/
Ike Levin Duo:
Infinite Dimensions
(CLM)



Peter Brotzmann/
Majid Bekkas/
Hamid Drake:
Catching Ghosts
(ACT Music + Vision)



Polwechsel:
Embrace
[4 LP BOX SET]
(NI-VU-NI-CONNU)



Ivo Perelman Quartet (
w/ Shipp/
Helias/
Rainey):
Water Music
(RogueArt)



JAKAL (
Fred Lonberg-Holm/
Keefe Jackson/
Julian Kirshner):
Peroration
(Amalgam)



The Remote Viewers :
Inside The Blizzard/
Trivia
(Remote Viewers)



Oliver Schwerdt/
Barry Guy/
Baby Sommer:
Fucking Ballads
(Euphorium)



Bruno Duplant/
Rutger Zuydervelt:
Edge Of Oblivion
(Machinefabriek)



Simon Hanes:
Tsons of Tsunami
(Tzadik)



Ethnic Heritage Ensemble:
Open Me,
A Higher Consciousness
Of Sound And Spirit
(Spiritmuse Records)



Phantom Orchard (
Ikue Mori/
Zeena Parkins):
Hit Parade of Tears
(Tzadik)



Chorale Joker/
Ensemble SuperMusique:
Demantibule•es
(Ambiances Magnetiques)



Sean Lennon Ono:
Asterisms
[VINYL]
(Tzadik)



Michel Banabila :
The Unreal Realm
(Tapu Records)







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