An unconventional blend of instruments creates different, but captivating, sounds and structures by 4tet, a quartet of Chinese musician Jing (pipa, guqin) and Swiss jazz and free improvisers Wintsch, Oester, and Pfammatter.

A burning release mixing free improv and ea forms from the trio of Jean-Marc Foussat (analog Synth), Noel Akchote (guitar) and Roger Turner (drums), recorded in Poitiers at Le Confort Moderne during a recent European tour.

NY bassist Jason Anastasoff composes map-based works using graphic & traditional notation, plus interpreted spoken work, peformed with Sean Ali (bass), Brad Henkel (trumpet), Nathaniel Morgan (sax), Owen Stewart-Robertson (guitar) and Jacob Wick (trumpet).

A much-needed reissue of Derek Bailey's 1978 2-CD Japanese release on the Morgue label, the first disc a series of studio improvisations and the second presenting two live performances in Nagoya and Kalavinka.

Cornetist Berman's band with Jeb Bishop (trombone), Guillermo Gregorio (clarinet), Jason Stein (bass clarinet), Keefe Jackson (sax), Jason Adasiewicz (vibes), Joshua Abrams (bass) & Frank Rosaly (drums) mixing new and standard compositions.

Ben Owen (electronics), Barry Chabala (guitar) and Dominic Lash premier Wandelweiser founder Antoine Beuger's work "s'approcher s'eloigner s'absenter" recorded at erstwhile's AMPLIFY 2011 at The Stone, NYC.

NY bassist Michael Bisio and pianist Matthew Shipp continue their collaborations from their trio work with Whit Dickey in this duo release recorded in the studio, beautiful and amazing telepathic communication.

The Norwegian free-improvising trio of prepared pianist Dag-Filip Roaldsnes, alto saxophonist Kim-Erik Pedersen, and percussionist Tore Sandbakken in 14 darkly graceful and succinct works.

Clarinetist Jeremiah Cymerman's solo work with clarinet, electronics and amplifier is a dark and aggressive work that mutates the potential of the single reed into a monstrous instrument of surprising properties.

Israeli pianist Maya Dunietz comes together with British free improvisers John Edwards (bass) and Steve Noble (drums) for a trio record of creative and informed playing, a marvel of power and inventiveness.

Chicago clarinetist James Falzone's longstanding Allos Musica ensemble with oud player Ronnie Malley and Tim Mulvenna on hand drums and percussion, playing collective improvisations inspired by Arabic musical forms.

An eclectic collection of compositions from clarinetist James Falzone based on his longstanding interest in semiotics, performed with improvisers Katherine Young, Amy Cimini (Architeuthis Walks on Land), Tim Mulvenna, Kevin Davis and Brian Dibble.

Six distinct "phases" of entrancing drones performed on an unprepared but slightly damaged harmonium by French improviser Monsieur Favriou, demonstrating the timbral range of the pedal-pumped reed organ.

Bringing together pianist Thollem McDonas, Minuteman bassist Mike Watts, NY's Quakebasket percussionist Tim Barnes, and Bungles/Deerhoof guitarist John Dieterich for an open-minded and uniquely diverse rock record.

Canada's songwriting Hobson's Choice has developed into a tightly knit ensemble embracing elements of jazz, chamber, and singer-songwriter traditions, with sound-worlds ranging from midnight deep-woods marimba ballads to sunny cicada-sung anthems.

Referencing the work of French artist and composer Yves Klein, this large group of Creative Sources regulars perform the 4 part Monochrome Bleu Sans Titre, a subtle and rich work of acoustic and electronic improvisation.

Magaibutsu drummer Yoshida Tatsuya and Innocence/Altered States guitarist Uchihashi Kazuhisa in a genre-shifting and inspired duo from two of Japan's most active rock improvisers.

Klang's 4th release takes the quartet of James Falzone (clarinet), Tim Daisy (drums), Jason Roebke (bass) & Jason Adasiewicz (vibes) into more abstract territory in works inspired by aesthetics such as graffiti, pavement, iron work, &c.

Chicago's innovative Klang quartet's with James Falzone (clarinet), Jason Adasiewicz (vibes), Jason Roebke (bass) and Tim Daisy (drums) + guests in their 3rd recording, an album paying respect to Benny Goodman on his 100th birthday.

The debut recording by Chicago-based clarinetist/composer James Falzone's quartet, KLANG with vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz, bassist Jason Roebke and drummer Tim Daisy, drawing on influences including Jimmy Giuffre's early small groups.

The Fast Citizens are the Chicago-based sextet of Aram Shelton, Keefe Jackson, Josh Berman, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Anton Hatwich and Frank Rosaly, rotating the leadership with each release, this time with Fred Lonberg-Holm taking the helm.

The string duo Bobun celebrates ten years of creative collaboration with this six piece suite, a studio recording of diverse improvisations that runs the gamut from lowercase minimalism to dense and technically exuberant interaction.

Italian saxophonist Edoardo Marraffa and drummer Stefano Giust meet West Coast/touring pianist Thollem McDonas for an album of focused and spirited free improvisation recorded live in Bologna.

The second release from the duo of Joe McPhee and Chris Corsano, seven pieces from ballads to combustible free playing in an album dedicated to Fred Anderson, Paul Flaherty, Han Bennink, Kidd Jordan, &c.

Master improvisers Joelle Leandre (double bass), Fred Frith (guitar), Alvin Curran (electronics, piano) and Urs Leimgruber (saxophones) in a new quartet for a live, abstract recording that moves at a fast past.

The next step in Iranian-American saxophonist Hafez Modirzadeh's quest to create a seamless cross-cultural exchange of musical structures between the Persian dastgah and American jazz.

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.

Two trios of powerful musicians, Parker/Guy/Lytton and Schlippenbach/Parker/Lovens, come together for a 77 minute-long collective performance of live improvisation full of vivacity and zest.

London's Remote Viewers in their 13th release, quoting W.H. Auden in an album of excellent structured improvisation with David Petts, Caroline Kraabel, Sue Lynch & Adrian Northover (saxes), John Edwards (bass & drums), and Rosa Lynch (keys and percussion).

11 short works and a longer "suite" from the duo of Israeli clarinetist Harold Rubin and German bassist Alexander Frangenheim, with electric bassist Mark Smulian making the group a trio on three tracks.

Taking a hard edge on Downtown NY playing, this limited release presents two extended studio improvisations from the trio of trumpeter Brad Henkel, baritone guitarist Dustin Carlson, and drummer Booker Stardrum.

The UK and Vancouver meet for a second release under the Way Out Northwest name - British saxophone master John Butcher with bassist Torsten Muller and drummer Dylan van der Schyff - recording for Sonarchy Radio.

New York School stalwart and John Cage collaborator Christian Wolff met AMM and EA-improvising guitarist Keith Rowe to perform this extended work at erstwhile's AMPLIFY 2011 show in NYC's The Stone.

The 19th volume in the Book of Angels series is led by gimbri player Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz in a primal reading of Zorn's music with Eyal Maoz & Aram Bajakian (guitars) and Kenny Grohowski (drums).

Using mostly unprocessed electric guitars, the duo of Elliott Sharp and Scott Fields' latest release presents eight dueling guitar works using dynamic, angular tones and textures, from extremely aggressive work to clean avant-jazz with twisted technical intent.

The quartet of Cosottini, Melano, Pisani, Miano (EAQuartet Electroacoustic) in compositions referring to the 4 cardinal map points using graphic scores, games, open readings, &c.

Legendary trumpeter, composer and educator Bill Dixon in a 17 piece orchestra playing original compositions live at the 12th Vision Festival in New York City.

Compositions for synthesizers, electric harp, tabletop guitar, accordion, alto saxophone, percussion and voices performed by Joane Hetu, Diane Labrosse, Zeena PArkins, Danielle Palardy Roger, and Tenko.

Unusual combinations of bass clarinet and trumpet in a quartet setting blending Joachim Badenhorst and Thomas Heberer, with Pascal Niggenkemper on bass and drummer Joe Hertenstein on drums.

A masterful fountain of melodic ideas, intriguing rhythms, and exceptional technical skill from the duo of Hamid Drake on drums and frame drum, and Sylvain Kassap on clarinets and chalumeau, recording live at the France Musique at Studio Theatre dÕAlfortville and in the studio.

A live performance at Judson Church in Manhattan as part of the 20th Vision Festival from the NY/France free improvising trio of Joelle Leandre on double bass, Mat Maneri on viola, and Gerald Cleaver on drums and percussion, two tracks of steadily building, incredibly compatible dialog.

Appalachian guitarist Killick Hinds reunites with West Coast guitarist Henry Kaiser for their second album of sophisticated string interactions, using vast technical skills and creative intent to present an enjoyable and diverse set of textures and styles.

The Swedish duo of percussionist Andreas Pollak and prepared pianist Johan Graden (Adam & Alma) in an album of references and innuendo, clandestine and furtive sounds that evoke great mystery and drama in beautifully shaped sound; evocative music that deceives to emerge from the electronic realm while in actuality coming from all acoustic sources.

The second volume of the project heard in the previous Creative Sources album, "Suspensao", here in a 9-piece electroacoust ensemble with viola, cello, doublebass, alto sax, trombone, piano, electric guitar, computer and percussion, suspenseful lowercase music that unfolds in mysterious, beautiful and rewarding ways.

Live recordings at LOFT in Cologne, Germany from the trio of George Wissel on prepared saxophone, Achim Tang on doublebass, and Simon Camatta on drums & percussion, performing seven "Movements" that use prodigious technique with reserve and direction, revealing the structure of their work as the pieces build and recede in fascinating ways.

The Brooklyn trio of Buckminster - Brad Henkel (trumpet), Nathaniel Morgan (alto sax) and Peter Hanson (reeds & winds) - in a superbly charming release of improvisation, spoken dialog, and quirky discourse.

A split 7" release between Cremaster (Alfredo Costa Monteiro (electronics) and Ferran Fages (feedback mixing board and electroacoustic devices); and the Komora A trio of Karol Koszniec (electronics), Dominik Kowalczyk (laptop) and Jakub Mikolajczyk (modular synth).

Fester is the duo of Brooklyn bassist Sean Ali and Manhattan drummer David Grollman, using extended and unusual techniques to create mesmerizing and riveting improvisations, here in 19 short works.

One composition each from Downtown NY guitarist Dustin Carlson and trumpeter Brad Henkel, building works that use minimal development, advanced techniques, and spoken word that yields surprising and cathartic performances.

Pieces in 4 movements - Snow; Never Cold; Gusts; Landscapes - performed by Ensemble SuperMusique: Joane Hetu, Jean Derome, Diane Labrosse, Pierre Tanguay, Scott Thomson & Alexandre St-Onge.

A trio of NY free improvisers using unusual and advanced techniques - David Grollman (percussion); Weston Minissali (synth); Nathaniel Morgan (alto sax) - performing a 6-part series of "Yolts".

Frank Rosaly uses drums, percussion, and electronics as the core of improvised source material that he segments, orchestrates, and arranges into a sound program before editing and ultimately dividing the material down to two channels.

The New York duo Swirm of Brad Henkel (trumpet) and David Grollman (percussion) in a unique blend of virtuosic free improvisation, subtle sound exploration, and performance art, here adding free vocalist Laurie Amat for 6 compositions named by color.

The second release from prolific Chicago-based drummer/composer Tim Daisy's two year-old working trio, Vox Arcana with Fred Lonberg-Holm on cello & electronics and James Falzone on clarinet.

A Scandinavian quartet drawing influence from the music of the Japanese shakuhachi, contemporary electronica, Scandinavian folk music, both European and American jazz traditions as well as tonal, atonal and microtonal composition.

Performing on solo electric & acoustic guitars, oud, charango and synthesizer, NYC guitarist Ken Silverman dedicates this album to musicians such as T-Bone Walker, Hamza El Din, Jimmy Page, Robert Fripp, &c.

The second volume of this excellent German sound magazine and audio CD, 9 artists working in sound art, electroacoustic composition; a "listenable exhibition" of modern compositional approach.

The third volume of this excellent German sound magazine and audio CD, 9 artists working in sound art, electroacoustic composition; a "listenable exhibition" of modern compositional approach.

The fifth installment of the District of Noise series featuring a diverse set of experimental noise and electronic artists from the Washington DC area released as part of the 2012 Sonic Circuits Festival.