The Squid's Ear Magazine
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  Recently Restocked

Albums which we have recently restocked, listed in most recently restocked order. Some quantities will be limited, particularly for older albums. This page is updated after every catalog refresh, typically Tuesdays & Thursdays.



Yoshio: Machida Tender Blues (Amorfon)

Japanese Steelpan player Yoshio Machida's 11th solo album, performed on the metal slit drum, made from a small gas tank tuned to the C scale over 2 octaves, which he takes into warm territories of rich overtones and melodic invention influenced by Kora, Gamelan, Kulintang and Myanmar musics.



Sirom: I (Amorfon)

Silom is a Slovenian creative music trio using a variety of string, percussive, and melodic percussive instruments, focused on the acoustic aspects of complex evolving works that combine composed and improvised aspects to create rich music with ancient ethnic overtones.



Jorge Queijo / Hiroki Chiba / Yoshio Machida: Luminant (Amorfon)

Live recordings of the trio of Yoshio Machida on steelpans and gamelan, Hiroki Chiba on double bass and electronics, and Jorge Queijo on drums & percussion, performing live at Foxhole and Apollo in Tokyo, 2015, free improvisation with Eastern attitudes and European propulsion.



Miimo: Miimo 3 (Amorfon)

The improvising steelpan ensemble of Yoshio Machida (steel drums, percussion, electronics, PanKAT), Tatsu (bass, electronics) and Norihide Saji (drums, laptop, electronics) in their 3rd release, an alternative dub album, or music created by poly-rhythm and sound effects.



Miimo: miimo 2 (Amorfon)

Miimo are a Japanese dub & electronica group consisting of Yoshio Machida, Norihide Saji and Tatsu, whose tracks have appeared in documentaries and TV spots throughout Japan.



Kindermusik: Improvised Music by Babies (Amorfon)

10 babies under 1.5 years old are gathered from several countries to improvise on zither, piano, steel pan, toy turntable or computer-controlled pacifier with unlikely results.



Rempis Percussion Quartet ,The: Phalanx [2 CDs] (Aerophonic)

A 2-CD set of live concert recordings from this brilliant improvising quartet headed by Dave Rempis (sax) with prominent members Ingebrigt Haker Flaten (bass), Tim Daisy (drums), and Frank Rosaly (drums).



Rempis Percussion Quartet, The (w/ Haker-Flaten / Rosaly / Daisy): Cash And Carry (Aerophonic)

After 10 years together, the Rempis Percussion Quartet led by saxophonist Dave Rempist, Frank Rosaly, Tim Daisy on drums and percussion, and Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten on bass, recorded this concert at Chicago's Hungry Brain for a superlative album of rhythmically simmering free improv.



Rempis / Reid / Abrams: Allium (Aerophonic)

The second release from the Chicago chamber-oriented, collective free jazz trio of Dave Rempis on alto & tenor saxophone, Tomeka Reid on cello, and Joshua Abrams on bass, expanding on their highly concentrative and contemplative approach to group dialog, a powerfully assured and seemingly composed set of nine impeccable improvisations.



Gunwale: Rempis / Wildeman / Packard: Polynya (Aerophonic)

The debut album of this focused and intrepid Chicago trio led by saxophonist Dave Rempis with young stalwarts Ryan Packard on percussion and electronics, and Netherlands transplant Albert Wildeman, for three extended improvisations recorded live and in the studio.



Ballister (Rempis / Lonberg-Holm / Nilssen-Love): Smash And Grab (Aerophonic)

"Smash", "Even More Smashing" and "Grab" sums up the intense energy that the Ballister trio brought to their 2022 performance at Elastic Arts in Chicago as part of the Catalytic Sound Festival, impelled by Paul Nilssen-Love's powerful drumming and Fred Lonberg-Holm's demanding cello work, with Dave Rempis roaring on alto, tenor and baritone saxophones; wow!



Ches Smith and These Arches (Smith / Berne / Malaby / Halvorson / Parkins): Hammered (Clean Feed)

Drawing from some of NYC's finest - Tim Berne, Tony Malaby, Mary Halvorson and Andrea Parks - drummer Ches Smith's band takes the Downtown NY strategy to bridge experimental rock and avant jazz in unexpected and astonishing ways.



Kris Davis (Maneri / Laubrock / Dunn / Rainey): Capricorn Climber (Clean Feed)

The sixth album as a leader from the Vancouver-born, Brooklyn-based pianist Davis, composing for the inspired working group of Mat Maneri (viola), Ingrid Laubrock (sax), Trevor Dunn (bass) and Tom Rainey (drums & glockenspiel).



Angles 8: By Way of Deception - Live in Ljubljana (Clean Feed)

A fantastic concert recorded during the 52nd Ljubljana Jazz Festival, presenting an ambitious and remarkable pair of compositions from saxophonist Martin Kuchen, extending his regular 6 piece band to an octet.



The: Ames Room Bird Dies (Clean Feed)

Bringing the lineage of saxophone trios into the 21st century, saxophonist Jean-Luc Guionnet, bassist Clayton Thomas and drummer Will Guthrie performed this extended recording live in Lille, France.



Kris: Davis Aeriol Piano (Clean Feed)

The debut solo CD from in-demand pianist Kris Davis (Paradoxical Frog, Novela, Good Citizen, Anti-House), an absorbing and innovative album of original numbers and standards played inside and out of the piano.



Sophie Agnel / John Edwards / Steve Noble: Meteo (Clean Feed)

A live recording at the famous Meteo Festival from the trio of Sophie Agnel (piano), John Edwards (double bass) and Steve Noble (drums), three of Europe's most active improvisers in an intense extended performance.



Chicago / Sao Paulo Underground feat Pharoah Sanders: Pharoah and the Underground / Spiral Mercury (Clean Feed)

Live from Lisbon's Jazz em Agosto Festival, cornetist Rob Mazurek merges his Chicago and Sao Paulo Underground bands, adding bassist Matthew Lux and jazz legend tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, for a potent blend of modern jazz, electronics, and free improvised music.



Evan Parker / Joe Morris / Nate Wooley: Ninth Square (Clean Feed)

The extraordinary trio of three masterful players from different generations who have broken with convention while playing within free forms--Evan Parker on sax; Joe Morris on guitar; and Nate Wooley on trumpet--performing live at Firehouse 12 in Connecticut, 2014.



McPhee / Saft / Morris / Downs: Ticonderoga (Clean Feed)

A burning spiritual session inspired by John Coltrane's "Live at the Village Vanguard Again" that began when Jamie Saft told Joe Morris about his deep admiration for Alice Coltrane's playing, adding McPhee and Downs as the perfect complement to realize this excellent album.



Whit Dickey / Kirk Knuffke: Fierce Silence (Clean Feed)

The NY duo of Whit Dickey on drums and Kirk Knuffke on cornet, in Dickey's first published recording in a decade, using a slow pulse and space in sophisticated dialogs and ballads that avail finesse and economical approaches that rely on the incredible skills of both players.



Simon Nabatov / Mark Dresser: Projections (Clean Feed)

The 1st meeting between Simon Nabatov on piano (inside and out) and double bassist Mark Dresser, recorded live at the Loft in Cologne in 2014, for a remarkable dialog of empathetic communication, outrageous technique and dynamic exchange from two authoritative players.



Friends and Neighbors: Hymn For A Hungry Nation (Clean Feed)

Taking their band name from an Ornette Coleman album, this European quintet presents new compositions in the style of Ornette, Archie Shepp, Pharoah Sanders and John Carter, ecstatic free jazz with a hard bop foundation, extended with modern technique and experience.



Cortex (Johansson / Alberts / Hoyer / Nilssen): Live in New York (Clean Feed)

Approaching the free side of 60s postbop in the Ornette Coleman vein, the Cortex quartet of Thomas Johansson (trumpet), Kristoffer Alberts (sax), Ola Hoyer (double bass) and Gard Nilssen (drums) are captured for a dynamic and captivating set at IBeam in Brooklyn in 2015.



Ned Rothenberg / Mark Feldman / Sylvie Courvoisier: In Cahoots (Clean Feed)

Long time collaborators and friends, part of the original Downtown NY scene, mutli-reedist and shakuhachi player Ned Rothenberg joins violinist Mark Feldman and pianist Sylvie Courvoisier to record a beautifully insightful album of commanding improvisation.



Evan Parker / Daunik Lazro / Joe McPhee: Seven Pieces. Live At Willisau 1995 (Clean Feed)

1995 recordings of the superb saxophone trio of Evan Paker on tenor & soprano, Daunik Lazro on alto & baritone, and Joe McPhee on alto & soprano, plus alto clarinet and pocket trumpet, a group that went undocumented until this live concert tape at Willisau was discovered.



Lisa Mezzacappa (Bennett / Finkbeiner / Winant / Mezzacappa / Perkis / Glenn): avantNOIR (Clean Feed)

Influenced by noir crime novels from the 20s set in the Bay Area, bassist Mezacappa wrote these sophisticated and lyrical compositions for selected scenes or characters, performed by the superb sextet of William Winant, Tim Perkis, Aaron Benett, John Finkbeiner, & Jordan Glenn.



Susana Silva Santos : All The Rivers | Live At Panteao Nacional (Clean Feed)

Exploring the ambient sound of the immense marble temple of the Portuguese National Pantheon, trumpeter Susana Santos Silva recorded this beautiful and spiritual solo improvisation as part of the Rescaldo Festival, adding tin whistle and bells as her stunning tone and impressive technique resonated and invoked the spirit of this 17th century monument.



Angles 3: Parede (Clean Feed)

Martin Kuchen's Angles band changes shape constantly, originally a trio and expanding as large as Angles 10, but this album, recorded live at SMUP, Parede, Portugal in 2016, returns the band to the original trio of Kuchen on sax, Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten on double bass, and Kjell Nordeson on drums & percussion, reworking Angles compositions to their essence.



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.



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.



Simon Nabatov Quintet (w/ Malaby / Seabrook / Formanek / Cleaver): Last Minute Theory (Clean Feed)

After pianist Simon Nabatov's return to NYC in 2018 he began assembling this quintet with the goal of pursuing a more traditional jazz setting, enlisting support from some of the city's finest and most versatile players--saxophonist Tony Malaby, drummer Gerald Cleaver, bassist Michael Formanek, and guitarist Brandon Seabrook--here in an exuberant set of Nabatov originals.



Simon Nabatov Quintet (w/ Speed / Robertson / Hebert / Rainey): Plain (Clean Feed)

Russian-born Germany/NY-based pianist Simon Nabatov's Quintet with the new lineup of Chris Speed on tenor sax & clarinet, Herb Robertson on trumpet & cornet, John Hebert on double bass and Tom Rainey on drums, performing Nabatov's magnificently lyrical, sophisticated and often chamber-oriented compositions, an incredible achievement in writing and performance.



Angles: A Muted Reality (Clean Feed)

The chameleonic configuration of Angles is here an octet, in a powerfully building and passionate set of three recordings performed by Martin Kuchen (alto sax), Magnus Broo & Goran Kajfes (trumpets), Mats Aleklint (trombone), Mattias Stahl (vibraphone), Alexander Zethson (piano & synth), Konrad Agnas (drums) and Johan Berthling (double bass); exemplary.



Francois Houle Genera Sextet: In Memoriam (Clean Feed)

Canadian clarinetist François Houle in an international project dedicated to the late co-founder of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Ken Pickering, performed with Canadian expatriates, plus colleagues from New York City, Paris, Basel and Berlin: Marco von Orelli on cornet & trumpet, Samuel Blaser on trombone, Benoit Delbecq on piano, Michael Bates on bass and Harris Eisenstadt on drums.



Mario Costa (w/ Cuong Vu / Benoit Delbecq / Bruno Chevillon): Chromosome (Clean Feed)

Titled for Portuguese drummer Mario Costa's disciplined approach to composition and the DNA-like consideration of his band members--Cuong Vu on trumpet, Benoit Delbecq on piano, synths & samplers and Bruno Chevillon on double bass--this 2nd release as a leader shows Costa advancing his ideas through nine rigorously composed original works, impeccably realized by this outstanding band.



Lantskap Logic (Frith / Davis / Greenlief): Hidden Danger Lets Me In (Clean Feed)

Mixed, edited and re-organized by Fred Frith and mastered by Thomas Dimuzio, this album find the trio of Frith on electric guitar, Evelyn Davis on the Mills Chapel pipe organ and Phillip Greenlief on clarinet & alto saxophone, performing in the Mills College Chapel in Oakland, CA, the sophomore release on Clean Feed for this versatile trio of masterful improvisers.



Domen Cizej : Introducing [5 CDs] (Clean Feed)

An introduction to Amsterdam-based percussionist and composer Domen Cizej through five studio-recorded CDs of differing configurations of his ensembles, one album each from the 8-piece Domen Cizej Percussion Ensemble, the trio Domen Cizej Koška Čias, the Domen Cizej Duo and Trio, and Cizej solo; a set of diverse and upbeat settings with liner notes by Joe Morris.



Brew (Hemingway / Workman / Masaoko): Heat / Between Reflections [2 CDs] (Clean Feed)

Recorded two decades apart, first in 1998 as a combination of recordings in the studio and live @ The Knitting Factory, and then in 2019 in the studio, the trio of Miya Masaoka on Koto, dan bau & electronics, Reggie Workman on bass, percussion, musical saw & digeridoo and Gerry Hemingway on drums & electronics, show both their consistency and evolution as masterful, creative improvisers.



Goncalo Almeida (Almedia / Silva / Costa): States of Restraint (Clean Feed)

Recorded at Sonoscopia, the Porto, Portugal experimental music and sound art hub under the direction of percussionist Gustavo Costa, double bassist Gonçalo Almeida leads a trio with trumpeter Susana Santos Silva and Gustavo Costa performing the five-part Almeida composition "Restraint", fulfilling the title through commanding cliff's-edge control.



Cortex (Hoyer / Nilssen / Alberts / Johansson): Legal Tender (Clean Feed)

Seriously joyful and consequential "avant-garde party music" from the Norwegian Cortex quartet of Ola Hoyer on double bass, Gard Nilssen on drums & percussion, Kristoffer Berre Alberts on saxophone, and Thomas Johansson on trumpet, in their 6th album of irresistible, upbeat free jazz.



Nate: Wooley Knknighgh (Minimal Poetry for Aram Saroyan) (Clean Feed)

Pronounced as "knife", this new project from NY trumpeter Nate Wooley brings together Chris Pitsiokos on alto sax, Brandon Lopez on bass, and Dre Hocevar on drums in a fresh take on the concepts of free jazz, using short material composed by Wooley and based on the poetry of Aram Saroyan, used in looping and repeating structures that never sound as such.



Mat Maneri / Evan Parker / Lucian Ban: Sounding Tears (Clean Feed)

Viola improviser and composer Mat Maneri leads this trio with British UK legend Evan Parker on soprano and tenor saxophone and Romanian ex-patriot and frequent collaborator Lucian Ban on piano, for ten compositions blending tradition, song, and improvisational tactics, recalling 20th century modern classical music in addition to jazz.



Nate Wooley Quintet (Wooley / Sinton / Moran / Opsvik / Eisenstadt): (Dance to) The Early Music (Clean Feed)

Nate Wooley assembled his outstanding quintet of Josh Sinton on bass clarinet, Matt Moran on vibs, Eivind Opsvik on bass and Harris Eisenstadt on drums to present a non-ironic take on the early music of a trumpeter who inspired Wooley at an early age - Wynton Marsalis.



Kris Davis Infrasound (w/ Goldberg / Noriega / Badenhorst / Bishop / Radley / Versace / Black): Save Your Breath (Clean Feed)

A superb octet including pianist and leader Kris Davis providing innovative compositions, with the powerful support of Ben Goldberg, Oscar Noriega, Joachim Badenhorst & Andrew Bishop on reeds, Nate Radley on guitar, Gary Versace on organ, and Jim Black on drums.



Angles 9: Injuries (Clean Feed)

Now a nine-piece, Martin Kuchen leads the magnificently powerful Angles band through 7 demanding compositions, with trumpeter Magnus Broo back in the band alongside Alexander Zethson, Mattias Stahl, Jonan Berthling, Andreas Werlin, Eirik Hegdal, Mats Aleklint & Goran Kajfes.



Nate Wooley Sextet: (Sit in) The Throne of Friendship (Clean Feed)

Unique approaches to modern jazz from NY trumpeter Nate Wooley's Sextet with Josh Sinton (reeds), Matt Moran (vibes), Eivind Opsvik (bass), Dan Peck (tuba) and Harris Eisenstadt (drums), extraordinary music from exceptional players.



Matt Bauder and Day in Pictures: Nightshades (Clean Feed)

Known for his more abstract Memorize the Sky project, tenor saxophonist and clarinetist Matt Bauder's band Day in Pictures adheres to jazz traditions with the superb quintet of Nate Wooley (trumpet), Kris Davis (piano), Jason Ajemian (bass) and Tomas Fujiwara (drums).



Lytton / Wooley + Ikue Mori and Ken Vandermark: The Nows [2 CDs] (Clean Feed)

Nate Wooley and Paul Lytton continue their collaborations, extending their new duo recordings with live tracks from The Stone in NYC with Ikue Mori, and at Chicago's Hideout with Ken Vandermark.



RED Trio + Nate Wooley: Stem (Clean Feed)

NY trumpeter Nate Wooley and Portugal's Red Trio (Rodrigo Pinheiro, Hernani Faustino & Gabriel Ferrandini), recorded after their live performance at the 2010 Clean Feed Festival in NYC; powerful and thought-provoking modern improvisation.



Townhouse Orchestra (E.Parker / Sandell / Flaten / Nilssen-Love): Belle Ville (Clean Feed)

An all-star lineup for European free jazz with Evan Parker, Sten Sandell, Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten and Paal Nilssen Love on a double CD recorded live at Belleville.



Brotzmann / Edwards / Noble: Soulfood Available (Clean Feed)

For their 3rd album together, the trio of saxophonist Peter Brotzmann, bassist John Edwards and drummer Steve Noble are caught live at the 2013 Ljubljana Jazz Festival for three blistering works of free improvisation.



Joe Morris / Vandermark, Ken / Gray, Luther: Rebus (Clean Feed)



Lisa Mezzacappa Bait and Switch: What is Known (Clean Feed)

San Francisco Bay Area bassist Lisa Mezzacappa's "garage jazz" quartet, a raw collective with an energized approach to jazz that focuses on band sound and chemistry.



Evan Parker / John Edwards / Chris Corsano: A Glancing Blow (Clean Feed)



Angelica Sanchez / Wadada Leo Smith: Twine Forest (Clean Feed)

NY based pianist Angelica Sanchez in a stunning and intimate duo with legendary free improv trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, an album of superb conversation that flows naturally from their work together in Leo Smith's projects Golden Quartet and Organic.



Adam Lane Full Throttle Orchestra: Ashcan Rantings [2 CDs] (Clean Feed)

2 CDs from the amazing little big band of bassist Lane, with trumpeters Nate Wooley & Taylor Ho Bynum, saxophonist David Bindman, trombonists Tim Vaughn & Reut Regev, & drummer Igal Foni.



Parker / Guy / Lytton + Peter Evans: Scenes in the House of Music (Clean Feed)

The classic European Free Improv trio of Evan Parker, Barry Guy and Pual Lytton is joined by New York trumpeter Peter Evans for an incredible live concert at Casa de Musica, Portugal.



Tony: Malaby Tamarindo (Clean Feed)

Tony Malaby's trio with William Parker & Nasheet Waits shows his great stylistic diversity in original compositions, making this his finest release to date.



Angles: Every Woman Is a Tree (Clean Feed)

Scandinavian Alto saxophonist Martin Kuchen in a sextet with Magnus Broo and Mats Aleklint playing Kuchen originals, free jazz with a post-bop twist.



Paul Dunmall Sun Quartet: Ancient and Future Airs (Clean Feed)

Saxophonist & bagpipe player Dunmall's amazing Sun Quartet with Tony Malaby, Mark Helias and Kevin Norton performing live in NYC the day after Dunmall's Vision 2008 Fest show.



Mahanthappa / Lehman: Dual Identity (Clean Feed)

The New York duo of saxophonists Rudresh Mahanthappa and Steve Lehman in their co-led quintet with Liberty Ellman on guitar, Matt Brewer on bass and Damion Reid on drums.



Peter Evans Quartet: Live in Lisbon (Clean Feed)

Trumpeter Evan's Quartet with Ricardo Gallo, Tom Blancarte and Kevin Shea at the 2009 Jazz em Agosto Festival brilliantly restructuring jazz standards into collective compositions.



Angles: Epileptical West - Live in Coimbra (Clean Feed)

Saxophonist Martin Kuchen's Angles sextet with trumpeter Magnus Broo, trombonist Mats Aleklint and vibraphonist Mattias Stahl in jazz with a polyrhythmic and refined world music accent.



Davis / Laubrock / Sorey: Paradoxical Frog (Clean Feed)

The debut recording of the NY based trio of London-transplant saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock, drummer Tyshawn Sorey and pianist Kris Davis, refreshingly unconventional improvisation.



Sclavis / Taborn / Rainey: Eldorado Trio (Clean Feed)

Reedist Louis Sclavis' new cooperative trio with keyboardist Craig Taborn and drummer Tom Rainey in a mix of studio and live recordings from Casa da Musica, Porto.



Evan Parker / Leimgruber, Urs: Twine (Clean Feed)

British sax giant Evan Parker meets Swiss tenor and soprano explorer Urs Leimgruber in an album of intertwining sax discussion using an unusual and unique language.



Steve Lehman Camouflage Trio: Interface [VINYL 2LPs] (Clean Feed)

Reissuing and re-mixing New York saxophonist Steve Lehman's 2004 album with his previous Camouflage Trio of Mark Dress on double bass and Pheeroan Aklaff on drums, perfoming a stupendous set of original compositions live at Teatro Academica Gil Vicente in Coimbra, Portugal.



Cortex: Live! [VINYL 2 LPs] (Clean Feed)

Four Norwegian jazz musicians--Thomas Johansson (cornet), Kristoffer Alberts (reeds), Ola Hoyer (double bass) and Gard Nilssen (drums)--representatives of a new generation of Scandinavian jazzmen playing creative music with the tools and forms of the older generation.



Gabriel Ferrandini (w/ Faustino / Sousa): Volupias [VINYL] (Clean Feed)

Turning to one third of his more familiar Red Trio setting, percussionist/drummer Gabriel Ferrandini enlists bassist Hernani Faustino and tenor saxophonist Pedro Sousa (Sousa/Berthling/Ferrandini, PeterGabriel Duo) to perform 9 Ferrandini compositions named after streets in Lisbon leading from Ferrandini's house to his studio and then to ZDB.



Fred Frith And Helen Mirra: Kwangsi - quail [VINYL] (Shhpuma)

Helen Mirra uses the index of a W.G. Sebald's novel to create a mysterious, intriguing and fascinating audio world, performed by Mirra on printing press and acoustic guitar, and Fred Frith on rainsticks, mbira, charango, music box, voice, shoes and other objects.



Mats Gustafsson / Craig Taborn: Ljubljana [VINYL] (Clean Feed)

Celebrating the 400th release of Clean Feed Records, Swedish free jazz phenomenon, saxophonist Mats Gustafsson meets with NY jazz pianist Craig Taborn for an unlikely yet highly satisfying encounter that pushes each improviser into unfamiliar, edge-of-their seats, territory.



Gard Nilssen's Acoustic Unity : Live in Europe [VINYL 3 LPs + 3 CDs] (Clean Feed)

Three complete 2016 concerts at North Sea Jazz Festival, Ljubljana Jazz Festival and Oslo Jazz Festiva, and 3 CDs to present them, from drummer Gard Nilssen's Acoustic Unity, a superb free/post-bop group with a core of Nilssen, bassist Petter Eldh, and saxophonist Andre Roligheten, featuring 3 saxophonists: Fredrik Ljungkvis, Kristoffer Berre Alberts, and Jorgen Mathisen.



Gard Nilssen's Acoustic Unity (Roligheten / Eldh / Nilssen): Firehouse [VINYL] (Clean Feed)

Norwegian drummer Gard Nilssen (Zanussi 5, Bushman's Revenge, Puma, &c.) leads his new Acoustic Unity trio of Petter Eldh on double bass and Andre Roligheten (Albatrosh) on sax through 8 tightly conceived original jazz compositions with contributions from all 3 players.



Angles 9: Injuries [VINYL 2 LPs] (Clean Feed)

Now a nine-piece, Martin Kuchen leads the magnificently powerful Angles band through 7 demanding compositions, with trumpeter Magnus Broo back in the band alongside Alexander Zethson, Mattias Stahl, Jonan Berthling, Andreas Werlin, Eirik Hegdal, Mats Aleklint & Goran Kajfes.



Black Bombaim & Peter Brotzmann: Black Bombaim & Peter Brotzmann [VINYL] (Shhpuma)

Portuguese stoner rock band Black Bombaim and German free jazz saxophonist Peter Brotzmann recorded this album live at Estudios Sa Da Bandeira in Portugal, a power trio + 1 of uncompromising and burning improvisation, a less common but completely rewarding setting for Brotzmann.



Sam Rivers / Kresten Osgood / Ben Street: Violet Violets (Stunt)

Drawn from the same inspired 2004 session as Purple Violets, this set finds saxophonist and flutist Sam Rivers with bassist Ben Street and drummer Kresten Osgood in a series of intimate duets and expansive trios, blending original compositions and spirited interpretations with free improvisation, lyrical warmth, and Rivers' remarkable tone at the height of his creative powers.



Sam Rivers / Kresten Osgood / Ben Street / Bryan Carrott: Purple Violets (Stunt)

An inspired 2004 session uniting saxophonist and flutist Sam Rivers with vibraphonist Bryan Carrott, bassist Ben Street, and drummer Kresten Osgood in duets, trios, and quartets, weaving straight-ahead swing, lyrical balladry, and free improvisation through Rivers' distinctive tone, virtuosity, and ever-inventive musical vision.



The Jazz Doctors (Bang / Lowe / Morris / Barker / Garrett / Charles): Intensive Care: Prescriptions Filled: The Billy Bang Quartet Sessions 1983/1984 (Cadillac Records)

With two bass players (Wilber Morris & Rafael Garrett), two drummers (Denis Charles & Thurman Barker, violinist Billy Bang and tenor saxophonist Frank Lowe, this 1984 album covered pieces from Jackie McLean, Butch Morris, Ornette Coleman and Rashied Ali, here remastered with a previously unreleased 1984 session including a 2-part suite composed by Billy Bang.



Jean: Derome Chamber Music 1992-2012 (Ambiances Magnetiques)

25 chamber works composed by Montreal composer, multi-instrumentalist and improviser Jean Derome, presenting pieces from the wealth of projects he's involved in, including Dangereux Zhoms, Ensemble de flutes Alize, duos with Lori Freedmam, Quasar, quatuor de saxophones, &c.



John Butcher / Burkhard Beins / Mark Wastell: Membrane (Confront)

Mysteriously dark electroacoustic improv from the adept trio of John Butcher on acoustic and amplified saxophones, Burkhard Beins on amplified bass drum and electronics, and Mark Wastell on amplified 32" paiste tam-tam, slowly evolving, rich environments in sound.



Keith Tippett Octet: The Nine Dances Of Patrick O'Gonogon (Discus)

Superlative large group jazz from UK pianist/composer Keith Tippett, presenting a series of lyrical and accessible compositions inspired by themes from Irish folk music, in a new Octet with alumni of the Royal Academy of Music's jazz programme and long-time Tippett collaborators.



Orchestra Of The Upper Atmosphere: Orchestra Of The Upper Atmosphere (Discus)

The debut release of the UK improvising rock group Orchestra Of The Upper Atmosphere, co-led by Martin Archer & Chris Bywater, in a double CD blending kosmische musik, space rock, and contemporary classical, an improbable meeting between Ligeti, Klaus Schulze, & Quarkspace, supplemented at times by a string quartet, a sax quintet, and a 25-piece mixed choir.



Cecil Taylor / Tony Oxley: Being Astral And All Registers - Power Of Two (Discus)

Taken from the personal archives of UK drummer/percussionist Tony Oxley, this extremely well recorded duo session with frequent collaborator, iconoclastic NY pianist Cecil Taylor, are heard in a live performance at the Ulrichsberg Festival, Austria in 2002 for a brilliantly frenetic and masterfully controlled, creative set of two jaw-dropping extended dialogs.



Keith Tippett / Matthew Bourne: Aeolian [2 CDs] (Discus)

Two generations of remarkable pianists--Keith Tippets and Matthew Bourne--performed a series of two-piano concerts between 2017 and 2019, also recording in the studio, as heard in this 2-CD release, the first a set of consequential piano duos recorded at Leeds Conservatoire in 2019, the 2nd disc a live performance at Daylight Music at Union Chapel, London, Tippetts' final public performance.



Tony: Oxley Unreleased (1974 to 2016) (Discus)

The second in Discus Music's "Unreleased" series selected from percussionist and electronics legend Tony Oxley personal collection, here in three configurations: a quintet with Barry Guy, Dave Holdsworth, Howard Riley and Paul Rutherford; a quintet with Howard Riley, Larry Stabbins, Phillip Wachsmann and Hugh Metcalfe; and a duo with Stefan Hoekler.



Trevor Watts / Stephen Grew Duo: All There Is (Discus)

A strong and enthralling set of dialogs captured live from the working duo of pianist Stephen Grew and saxophonist Trevor Watts on alto & soprano, intricate exchanges of great energy but also great compassion and introspection, a well-rounded set of adventurous exchanges that highlight the incredible skills of both players.



Eclectic Maybe Band: The Blind Night Watchers' Mysterious Landscapes (Discus)

Univers Zero bassist Guy Seger brought this eclectic group of improvisers into the studio to develop the music on this genre-defying album, informed by a sextet of musicians who have performed and recorded with projects and artists including Vanishing Pictures, X-Legged Sally, Wrong Object, Tony Levin, Tony Bianco, Paul Schutze, Trevor Watts, Zeena Parkins, Jim O'Rourke, &c.



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.



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.



Satoko Fujii / Natsuki Tamura: Kisaragi (Libra)

On their 5th album together, pianist Satoko Fujii and trumpeter Natsuki Tamura push the limits on approach and technique with their instruments, creating otherworldly and captivating improvisations, both players deciding against using "normal instrumental sounds", instead using preparations and textural approaches to create truly unique music.



Futari (Satoko Fujii / Taiko Saito): Underground (Libra)

Pandemic restrictions having cancelled their European tour, the Futari duo of pianist Satoko Fujii and vibraphonist Taiko Saito chose instead to develop a new collaborative album of improvisations exchanged by sound file, each intently listening to the other's recordings, their care and pensive responses creating an astounding and sublime album of stunningly beautiful music.



Gato Libre: Nomad (No Man's Land)

Trumpeter Natsuki Tamura and Satoko Fujii on accordion with guitarist Kazuhiko Tsumura and bassist Nirkatsu Koreyasu in their 2nd Gato Libre release, sophisticated, upbeat, melodic jazz.



Evan Parker / Jean-Marc Foussat: Insolence [VINYL] (NASHAZPHONE)

A collaboration between two towering improvisers — soprano saxophonist Evan Parker and synth/voice experimentalist Jean-Marc Foussat — presenting two incisive live duo performances from the 2023 Improtech Festival, paired with archival solo works from the early 1980s, in a release that bridges free improvisation’s enduring quest for expressive freedom across decades.



Circulasione Totale Orchestra: Bandwidth 3CD (Rune Grammofon)

Frode Gjerstad's Circulasione Totale Orchestra with a new line-up including Louis Moholo-Moholo, lstad, Sabir Mateen, Kevin Norton, Bobby Bradford, Lasse Marhaug & Paal Nilssen-Love, &c.



Fire! With Jim O'Rourke: Unreleased? (Rune Grammofon)

Mats Gustafsson, Johan Berthling and Andreas Werlin are joined by Jim O'Rourke to add a driving guitar & electronic layer to the "hypnotic jazz psychedelia and sonic mayhem" of Fire!



Full Blast & Friends: Sketches & Ballads (Trost Records)

The Full Blast trio of reedist Peter Brotzmann, bassist Mario Piakas and drummer Michael Wertmueller are joined by Ken Vandermark, Thomas Heberer and Dirk Rothbrust for an excellent concert at Donaueschinger Musiktage, 2010.



Fire!: Without Noticing (Rune Grammofon)

The fifth album from the powerful Swedish trio Fire!, comprised of Mats Gustafsson (The Thing), Johan Berthling (Tape) and drummer Andreas Werliin (Wildbirds & Peacedrums), with Mats playing keyboards and electronics on selected tracks.



The: Thing Boot! (The Thing Records)

The sixth studio album from the trio of Mats Gustafsson (saxophones), Ingebrigt Haker Flaten (electric bass), and Paal Nilssen-Love (drums), the first release on their own label, a record that transforms rock, noise, and improv in intense and exultant ways.



Otomo Yoshihide / Sachiko M / Evan Parker / John Edwards / Tony Marsh / John Butcher: Quintet/Sextet/Duos (Otoroku)

The final night of Otomo and Sachiko's first residency at London's Cafe OTO in 2009 saw the pair joined by the long-running trio of Evan Parker, John Edwards and Tony Marsh and special guest John Butcher, for an exceptional set of creative improvisation.



Keiji Haino / Peter Brotzmann / Jim O'Rourke: Two City Blues PT 2 (Trost Records)

One of two sets recorded on one intense night at Tokyo's Shinjuku Pit Inn from the trio of Japanese improvised rock legend Haino Keiji, European Free Jazz saxophone master Peter Brotzmann, and versatile American composer and musician Jim O'Rourke.



Decoy with Joe Mcphee: Spontaneous Combustion [2 CDs] (Otoroku)

A 2 CD issue of the 2013 LP with 78 additional minutes, from the two day residency at UK's Cafe Oto of Decoy (bassist John Edwards, Alexander Hawkins on Hammond B3, and drummer Steve Nobles) with special guest Joe McPhee on pocket trumpet and alto sax.



Georg: Graewe Stills And Stories (Random Acoustics)

German pianist and Euro Free Jazz stalwart Georg Graewe in a solo work, released a decade after his previous solo album, presenting a remarkable set of succinct compositions balancing astonishing technical skills with beautifully expressive playing, presented in several series of "stills" and "stories".



The Thing (Gustafsson / Haker Flaten / Nilssen-Love + McPhee): Again (The Thing Records)

The Thing "again" as Gustafsson on saxophones, Haker Flaten on electric and acoustic bass, and Nilssen-Love on drums & percussion present 3 extended blues-based, Ayler-inflected free jazz pieces, with Gustafsson's powerfully emotional playing over Haker-Flaten and Nilssen-Love's powerful polyrhythmic foundations; Joe McPhee joins for one track taking on a Frank Lowe piece.



Whit Dickey (w/ Nate Wooley / Matthew Shipp): Morph [2 CDs] (ESP)

Two albums released together as a single-priced 2-CD set, NY drummer, composer and free improviser Whit Dickey leads two groupings: on Reckoning, a duet with frequent collaborator, pianist Matthew Shipp; and Pacific Noir, a trio with Shipp and trumpeter Nate Wooley; both superb examples of modern jazz with creative inventiveness and virtuouso execution.



Okuden Quartet (Mat Walerian / Matthew Shipp / William Parker / Hamid Drake): Every Dog Has Its Day But It Doesn't Matter Because Fat Cat Is Getting Fatter [2 CDs] (ESP-Disk)

Reed player Mat Walerian's 4th album as a leader, in a quartet with Matthew Shipp on piano, William Parker on double bass & shakuhachi, and Hamid Drake on drums, the name "Okuden" meaning "inner teachings, as Walerian's compositions vary from a fully free introspective opener to joyful jazz idiom, a perfect set for this versatile and enlightened set of musicians.



Flow Trio w/ Joe Mcphee: Winter Garden (ESP)

Joining the exemplary New York City Flow Trio of Louie Belogenis on tenor & soprano saxophones, Joe Morris on bass, and Charles Downs on drums is NY legendary saxophonist & trumpeter Joe McPhee, performing on tenor saxophone in an album of collective free jazz that reminds its listeners of the power of passionately unfettered yet superbly controlled free playing.



Frisque Concordance (Georg Graewe / John Butcher / Wilbert De Joode / Mark Sanders): Distinct Machinery [2 CDs] (Random Acoustics)

The second incarnation of Frisque Concordance, formed in 1992 by Georg Graewe & John Butcher and currently the quartet of Butcher on tenor & soprano saxophones, Graewe on piano, Wilbert de Joode on double bass and Mark Sanders on drums, in a 2-CD set, the first a superb studio set recorded in Vienna in 2017, the second a live concert at the 2018 Konfrontationen Festival in Nickelsdorf.



Matthew Shipp Trio: World Construct (ESP)

The fourth album from pianist Matthew Shipp's Trio with Michael Bisio on bass and Newman Taylor Baker on drums, a well-sequenced studio recording from short lyrical works leading to diverse moods of creatively unique abstractions and powerfully grooving passages, a wealth of styles and magnificent playing from one of the most interesting piano trios active.



The Bridge (Amado / von Schlippenbach / Haker-Flaten / Hemingway): Beyond the Margins (Trost Records)

Assembled by Portuguese saxophonist Rodrigo Amado, this stellar quartet bridges nations with German pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach, Norwegian double bass player Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten, and American drummer Gerry Hemingway, presenting the extended, masterful collective title track, along with two shorter works, particularly revisiting Albert Ayler's "Ghosts".



Zoh Amba / Chris Corsano / Bill Orcutt: The Flower School (Palilalia)

An enthusiastic and well-balanced studio recording in San Francisco from the trio of Zoh Amba on tenor saxophone, Chris Corsano on drums and Bill Orcutt on electric guitar, following Amba & Corsano's duo tour of the West Coast; this is a first meeting between Amba & Orcutt, who perform as a duo on two tracks, including a guitar duo with Amba on acoustic.



Frank London / The Elders: Spirit Stronger Than Blood (ESP)

Paying homage to recordings from Mingus, Sanders, Thornton, &c, albums that shaped his approach to jazz composition and playing, trumpeter Frank London and his band The Elders--Marilyn Lerner, piano; Hilliard Greene, bass; Newman Taylor Baker, drums; and Greg Wall on sax on 3 tracks--perform six sophisticated London compositions that bridge modern improv with 60s post-bop lyricism.



The: Thing Boot! [VINYL] (The Thing Records)

The sixth studio album from the trio of Mats Gustafsson (saxophones), Ingebrigt Haker Flaten (electric bass), and Paal Nilssen-Love (drums), the first release on their own label, a record that transforms rock, noise, and improv in intense and exultant ways.



Peter Brotzmann / Hamid Drake: Solid & Spirit [VINYL 2 LPs] (Nero's Neptune)

Multi-reedist Peter Brotzmann and drummer/percussionist Hamid Drake met in the studio in New York City, April 2010, to record this double album of fiercely intense and beautiful improvised music.



MAP (Halvorson / Nakatani / Radding): Fever Dream [VINYL] (TAIGA)

A beautifully produced 3-sided double LP from New York's MAP, guitarist Mary Halvorson, percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani and bassist Reben Radding, amazing contemporary improvisation.



Peter Brotzmann / Steve Noble / John Edwards: The Worse The Better: Live at Cafe OTO, January 2010 [VINYL REPRESS] (Otoroku)

LP edition of the first set performed by the trio of Peter Brotzmann, Steve Noble and John Edwards at Cafe OTO in January 2010 during Brotzmann's first residency at the venue, and the first time this trio had played together.



Oren Ambarchi / Johan Berthling / Andreas Werliin: Ghosted II [VINYL] (Drag City)

Driven by compelling rhythms and subtle interactions that wind around them, the trio of guitarist Oren Ambarchi, bassist Johan Berthling and drummer Andreas Werliin expand their Ghosted concept in this second album, four diverse pieces fusing "funk-jazz heads, polyrhythmic skeletons, ambient pastorals, post-kraut drones and shimmering soundtrack reveries".



Anthony Braxton Saxophone Quartet: Sax QT (Lorraine) 2022 [4 CDs] (I Dischi di Angelica)

A complement to the New Braxton House Lorraine box, these live performances of Anthony Braxton's Lorraine system are performed in four European cities by Braxton himself on alto, soprano & sopranino saxophones, James Fei on sopranino & alto saxophones, Chris Jonas on alto & tenor saxophonse, Ingrid Laubrock on soprano & tenor saxophones, and Andre Vida on baritone, tenor and soprano saxophones.



Fire! Orchestra: Echoes [2 CDs] (Rune Grammofon)

A monumental release from Fire! Orchestra led by Mats Gustafsson, Johan Berthling & Andreas Werliin, in an expanded ensemble of 43 international musicians, with new members including Joe McPhee, for a massive work organized into seven parts, presented in a solid box set spread across 3 vinyl LPs of music with titles inspired by Swedish author & poet Erik Lindegren; magnificent!



Henry Dagg / Evan Parker: Then Through Now (False Walls)

Dublin sound inventor Henry Dagg joins soprano saxophonist Evan Parker for a live concert in Canterbury: fourteen vignettes of electro-acoustic interaction using Dagg's "Stage Cage"--valve test-oscillators, ring modulators, frequency shifter, chromatic zither, and a variable tape delay system--to both generate sound and to transform Parker's improvisations in incredible ways.





The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

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