Pianist/composer Gordon Beeferman's trio with bassist James Ilgenfritz and drummer/percussionist Michael Evans in an entirely acoustic record that conjures up electronica, noise, free jazz, and new-complexity, in a sublimely creative fashion.
Unreleased material from legendary European players Peter Brotzmann (sax), Fred Van Hove (piano) and Han Bennink (drums), captured live in 1971 for intensely heavy playing at the 2nd Internationales New Jazz Meeting Auf Burg Altena, and in detailed studio work at Radio Bremen.
Berlin double bassist Nadav Masel and Israeli guitarist Ido Bukelman performing on banjo, acoustic guitar & bells, in live recordings at Barbur gallery in Jerusalem, Israel in 2013 for 5 free works of flight, which they describe as "Improvisational Pieces for Meditations".
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.
The forward-thinking trio The Contest of Pleasure of Axel Dorner on trumpet, John Butcher on saxophone and Xavier Charles on clarinet, is extended with (More) from Laurent Sassi and Jean-Leon Pallandre on phonographies, mixing and microphones, performing live in Ulrichsberg.
French bassist Benjamin Duboc, part of The Turbine!, Nuts, and a member of the Dark Tree roster, in a solo album of two extended improvisations: the traditional folk song "St. James Infirmary Blues"; and a free improvisation named for the church in which the album was recorded.
Formed in 2010, Israeli trio EFT of Ido Bukelman (guitar), Daniel Davidovsky (electronics) and Offer Bymel (drums) create a resilient hybridization of genres and musical approaches, incorporating free jazz, improvisation, noise and modern electronic music.
French soprano saxophonist Stephane Rives and US Sound artist Bryan Eubanks on oscillators and feedback synth recorded this extended improvisation after performing live together in Berlin in 2014, using twisting acoustic and electronic tones punctuated by dramatic confrontations.
Guitarist Sandy Ewen and double bassist Damon Smith recorded these 2 extended improvsations in concert as part a "Desbordamientos" series at Cine Tonala, in Mexico City, pairing live music with screenings of Derek Bailey's 4-part series on improvisation.
Toronto drummer and composer Nick Fraser in a superb trio with saxophonist Tony Malaby and pianist Kris Davis, performing Fraser originals that merge free improvisation, jazz and avant compositional approaches with astonishing solos from all three.
The Hanut Trio of Nir Sabag (drums & percussion), Nadav Masel (double bass & Moroccan flute) and Ido Bukelman (electric guitar & bell), named after the Tel-Aviv theater-gallery that host their concerts, in a studio album of idiosyncratic and informed free improvisation.
A hybrid of theater, music, sound poetry and political manifesto from Sylvaine Helary, focused on the "Arab Spring" in Egypt, using intertwining words and voices around the quartet performances of Hugues Mayot, Sylvain Lemetre, Antonin Rayon and Sylvaine Helary.
Tenor saxophonist Bertrand Denzler's pseudo-drone piece for the ensemble of Pierre-Antoine Badaroux (alto sax), Fidel Fourneyron (trombone) and Luis Laurain (trumpet) where the players keep the sound alive while moving in a small, pre-established musical perimeter.
Recorded in Brooklyn and Paris, this quintet crosses the threshold between jazz, rock and electronic sound with a somewhat dark intent, using guitar & sitar, organs, syths, pianos, drums, bass and sounds to evoke thick and extended psychedelic environments.
The trio of New Zealand saxophonist Lucien Johnson, living in Paris, with the rhythm section of Alan Silva on double bass and Makoto Sato on drums for an expressive album of free jazz with inventive counterpoint and soulful playing in the Ayler tradition.
Vancouver-based Jay Crocker, half of Bent Spoon with Chris Dadge, in an album of electronics using homebuilt instruments and treatments, rhythmically based music with effective melodies and a quirky, sometimes lo-fi, but always engaging approach.
The first meeting of Jason Kahn and Phil Julian, both performing on analogue modular synthesiser, intended to be recorded as material for studio sound compositions, but which was so compelling as improvised work that they chose to release the album as recorded.
The 5th studio album from the trio of Tatsuya Yoshida (Ruins alone / Koenji Hyakkei), Kido Natsuki (Bondage Fruit / Salle Gavoux), Nasunomitsuru (Altered states / Umbeltipo), avant-progressive instrumental rock, melodic and complex rock performed at breakneck speed.
A Downtown NY duo of OutNow label leader and saxophonist Yoni Kretzmer with drummer Andrew Drury, who both push the envelop with extended and unusual techniques amidst energetic playing and unusual freeform improv yielding unusual audio environments.
Passionate jazz from Brooklyn saxophonist Yoni Kretzmer, in a trio with double bassist Pascal Niggenkemper and drummer Weasel Walter, from aggressive blowing to subtle and beautiful use of sound, and despite the track titles, near-telepathic interplay.
The 2nd 2Bass Quartet from Israeli/NY saxophonist Yoni Kretzmer, with Reuben Radding and Sean Conly handling the bass, and Mike Pride on drums, featuring 9 tracks with just the minimum amount of per-conceived material so as not to distinguish the spontaneity.
Recorded in Paris in 1979, Steve Lacy (soprano sax) and Steve Potts (alto sax) perform music for the aphorisms of Georges Braque, as sung by Irene Aebi; originally issued on Hat Hut records, this reiusse remasters the original release and includes images from the score.
Compellingly lyrical music with a klezmer influence from this Washington, DC trio, blending rock, world music, math rock, klezmer, reggae, noise, ambient and jazz into wonderful groove-based works, here in their 3rd album after 5 years, with a host of guests.
The duo of cellist Daniel Levin and drummer Juan Pablo Carletti recording live at Outpost 186 in Cambridge, MA in 2014, for a free session of empathic playing crossing rhythmic and percussive elements in both charge fast action playing and beautiful sonic environments.
Cellist Daniel Levin Quartet leads his quartet with Nate Wooley on trumpet, Matt Moran on vibes, and Torbjorn Zetterberg on bass, in open-minded modern compositions that blend jazz, chamber, and experimental improvisation of reserved and riveting character.
French-Japanese violist Frantz Loriot's large ensemble drawn from 5 nations in an excellent set of compositions that employ a diverse set of approaches, slyly drawing the listener into unique and encompassing sound worlds of remarkable elements and superb improvisation.
Out of Stock Reordered on 6/24/2020 Reordered on 6/24/2020
Named after Jean Genet's infamous novel, New York pianist Matthew Shipp's quartet Declared Enemy with Sabir Mateen on tenor sax & clarinet, William Parker on double bass, and Gerald Cleaver on drums, return for a second outstanding album of dynamic and masterful jazz.
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.
Guitarist Joacim Nyberg, also performing on double bass, bell and recorder, in a live performance in Stockholm, Sweden at Fylkingen in 2014, using "Wood, steel, air. Hands, fingers, heart" in an open-ended and ardent exposition of his interpretation of jazz.
Two trumpeters 20 years apart, Germany's Axel Dorner and Japan's Itaru Oki are both known for their versatile approach to jazz, from traditional to the freest forms using extended techniques, in a unique dialog challenging the limits of the horn with fascinating results.
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.
Pianist Tom Prehn's quartet with Frits Krogh on tenor sax, Poul Ehlers on bass, and Finn Slumstrup on bass, superb European free jazz recorded in 1963 in Copenhagen but never formally released, here remastered and issued with an unreleased track from 1966.
P (Yann Pittard on oud and guitar & vocals), Y (Tatsuya Yoshida on drums & vocals) and N (Mitsuru Nasuno on bass & vocals) performing Arabian Progressive Pop Improvisation, an unusual melding and orchestration of arabic progressions and melodic prog rock.
The music of bassist Jason Roebke and his trio of guitarist Matthew Schneider and drummer Marcus Evan is rooted in the leader's solid bass work and the tasteful and informed lyrical freedom of his sidemen, as heard in this live performace Chicago's Hungry Brain.
The subtly complex trio of Richard Sanderson on amplified melodeon, dictaphones & small percussion, Mark Wastell on tam-tam & shruti box, and Matilda Rolfsson on percussion performing an extended improvisation live at The Horse Improv Club, l'Klectic, London.
An Italian quartet playing rootsy jazz and blues compositions from John Carter, Charley Patton, Julius Hemphill, Phil Cohran, Sun Ra, Blind Willie Johnson, Olu Dara, alongside and a few originals; gutsy, informed, spell-binding Hoodoo from the delta blues to outer space.
Two extended and frenetic works of improvisation with free vocals from Linda Sharock, in a sextet including Itaru Oki on trumpet, Mario Rechter on reeds & voilin, Eric Zinman on piano, Makoto Sato on drums and Yoram Rosilio on bass; demanding, complex and cathartic jazz!
Upsilon Acrux/Corima/Nakata saxophonist Patrick Shiroishi in an emotional album of solo saxophone recorded as a tribute to his grandfather, alone and overdubbed, pushing the limits of his mind and body through haunting, beautiful, and intense compositions and playing.
An 8 CD set presenting 2 major works from saxophonist Sonny Simmons celebrating his 80th birthday, split into two sections: "Chasing The Bird" and "Leaving Knowledge Wisdom And Brilliance", using a variety of approaches using improv and world music to create a visionary music. Two 4-CD multiboxes with no additional cardboard housing.
The duo of Ferran Fages on electronic devices and Eduard Maquez on percussion in a beautiful long-form drone, a drifting and haunting work that hangs off of slowly building crescendos which release to beautifully suspended sonic environments.
The transatlantic quartet of Harrison Bankhead & Benjamin Duboc on double bass, and Hamid Drake & Ramon Lopez on drums and percussion in recordings from a 2014 tour of France as part of The Bridge, with guests William Parker, Jean-Luc Cappozzo, and Lionel Garcin.
The first recording of Tony Wilson's music inspired by the plight and lives of the homeless and drug addictied in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, in a band with P Carter on trumpet, Jesse Zubot on violin, Peggy Lee on cello, Russell Sholberg on bass and Skye Brooks on drums.
The 4th album from John Zorn's Dreamers (Cyro Baptista, Joey Baron, Trevor Dunn, Marc Ribot, Jamie Saft, & Kenny Wollesen) is a lyrical album of tuneful compositions and superb soloing, in an ornate package accompanied by a 36 page book of colorful drawings.
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.
New York improvisor and electronic artist Chuck Bettis in an exploration of decay and repetition, performed live using Max/Msp with no overdubs or sequencers, using simple pop melody progressions and superimposing them over the cut-up techniques of musique concrete.
Drummer Harris Eisenstadt continues his excellent NY quintet with Nate Wooley, Matt Bauder, Chris Dingman, and new bassist Pascal Niggenkemper, through 7 original compositions of lyrical modern jazz that leaves room for open-ended and extraordinary soloing.
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.
Roman philosopher Titus Lucretius Carus named "Clinamen" the unpredictable (in time and space) swerve of atoms falling in the void, which aptly describes the unexpected directions taken in subtle free improvisation from this French trio, led by bassist Louis-Michel Marion, with Jacques Di Donato on clarinet, and Philippe Berger on viola.
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.
Instant compositions on from Nicola L. Hein on guitar and Mia Zabelka on violin, both versed in soundscape and sonic sculptures, using extended techniques to create dense but dynamic sonic landscapes with significant room for silence.
Nu Band with trumpeter Roy Campbell, saxophonist Mark Whitecage, bassist Joe Fonda, and Lou Grassi, in their 5th album after 10 years together, performing live in Paris.
The Tiptons Saxophone Quartet with drums and electronics, led by Amy Denio and Jessica Lurie, in their 2007 album of original compositions, joyful and compelling music that defies categorization.
Bassist Duboc's two part symphony with dual drummers and dual trumpeters is a journey that aims at the creative free improvisation of groups like the Art Ensemble, AACM, BAG, &c.
US West Coast multi-instrumentalist Patrick Shiroishi performs an unorthodox set at 2575 Mission in Los Angeles, California, using alto saxophone, bells, electric toothbrush, ipod, pie tin, spoons, tape player, and voice to create a yearning work expressing the frustration of longing and estrangement.
A series of musical "mobiles" from European composer Roman Haubenstock-Ramati, sonic transformations of the visual experiences of Alexander Calder's dynamic sculptures.