4 Corners with Ken Vandermark, Magnus Broo, Adam Land and Paal Nilssen-Love in a live DVD from a March 2007 gig in Portugal playing 5 extended tracks. (PAL format)

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.

NYC native Rick Parker and Israeli guitarist Eyal Maoz create a unique sound combining electronics & trombone alongside Maoz's unusual use of effects, in a trio with drummer Yonadav Halevy, plus saxophonist Tim Berne joining on several compositions.

The Chicago quartet of Joshua Abrams (double bass), David Boykin (tenor saxophone), Jason Adasiewicz (vibraphone), and Frank Rosaly (drums) performing an excellent set of modern jazz influenced by dream states.

New York tenor saxophonist and composer Michael Adkins with his quartet including Paul Motian on drums in a set of 9 original compositions.

Bassist Jason Ajemian composed these 8 works performed with the Chicago/NY band of Tony Malaby on tenor sax, Rob Mazurek on cornet & electronics, and Chad Taylor on drums, a dynamic set of music that varies through a spectrum of styles while staying true to its jazz roots.

Referencing Sun Ra, Thelonius Monk, Mingus, and modern pop culture, bassist Ajemian leads a quartet with saxophonist Kid Blissh, guitarist Owen Stewart-Robertson amd drummer Jason Nazary through 5 cathartic pieces that combine jazz and poetry in ecstatic ways.

Confront/Sound 323's Mark Wastell meets three of Japan's most interesting minimal improvisers at Offsite in Tokyo, 2003 to perform this extraordinary two part work.

Trombonist Jeff Albert's Instigation Quartet, comprised of saxophonist Kidd Jordan, double bassist Joshua Abrams, and drummer Hamid Drake, play a superb studio session, starting and ending with two works by Fred Anderson.

Saxophonist Rodrigo Amado in a quartet with 2/3's of Red Trio - bassist Hernani Faustino and drummer Gabriel Ferrandini - and guitarist Manuel Mota adding unusual angles to their exemplary blues-based free improvisation.

Lisbon saxophonist Rodrigo Amado's trio with Miquel Mira on cello and Gabriel Ferrandini on drums is joined by New York trumpeter Peter Evans for 3 dynamic and exciting studio recording of superb TransAtlantic free improvisation.

The 35 poems found on Fortner Anderson's "Solitary Pleasures", performed with Michel F Cote, Sam Shalabi and Alexandre St-Onge, speak of the obsessions, phantasies and encounters of Anderson's life.

An early recording of saxophonist Fred Anderson in 1979 with Hamid Drake, Larry Hayrod and Adam Rudolph in a classic display of Anderson's unique approach to improv.

Arrive, formed in 2001, is Aram Shelton's Chicago band with vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz, bassist Jason Roebke and drummer Tim Daisy, a remarkable album of structured free playing.

Live recording from Oxford Improv Club in 2010 opposite Red Square with Paul Dunmall on saxophones, Phil Gibbs on electric guitar and electronics, Nik Stevens on double bass and Trevor Taylor electronic percussion.

An afternoon during saxophonist Michael Attias's residency at the Coimbra's Jazz ao Centro festival in Brazil with the core of his quintet: bassist John Hebert & drummer Satoshi Takeishi.

The Electroacoustic improv trio of Eric Leonardson (springboard & electronics), Julia E. Miller (guitar & electronics), and Christopher Preissing (flute & electronics), present 3 collective improvisations and 3 duos between Auris members and percussionist Gino Robair.

Bassist Babin's Benzene band mixes free improvisation with rock overtones, tight changes giving way to excellent solos from all members of this exceptional quartet.

A key member of the New York downtown, Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista features a new quartet of you downtown players in dynamic and adventurous music!

A quartet of four excellent young improvising musicians based in London and Oxford, none of whom have ever been to the outer London suburb of Barkingside.

Toronto's amazing husband & wife team drummer Jean Martin and unusual vocalist Christine Duncan with guest guitarist Justin Haynes and Bernard Falaise, recommended!

Four reed players of the European improv community in a series of compositions exploring drones, flutters, grainy tones, and powerfully radical approaches to the sax.

Electroacoustic improv from the quartet of trumpeter Philippe Battikha, laptop artist Matthew Wadell, drummer Sam Vipond and trombinist/saxophonist Etienne Lebel.

Over 25 years the 2 trombones of the German brothers Bauer and guitarists Kropinski & Sachse have released 3 albums, Outside This Area a "Walk" in 11 parts.

A short and succinct album of free improvisation from the Russian quartet of Ilia Belorukov (sax), Hapakahylo (drums, objects), Patryk Lichota (sax, objects), and Kim_Nasung (Guzheng), using unusual techniques to conjur unexpected audio environments.

A summer 2007 show of the Bent Spoon Trio recorded in an underground tunnel in Calgary, here joined by reed player Danny Meichel.

Borrowing from Elvin Jones' concepts, drummer Bianco's band uses 2 saxophones (Mike Fletcher and Mark Hanslip), bass (Colin Somervell) and drums, for energetic and ecstatic jazz compositions creating a continual pulse with long lines and looped synchronicity.

2010 master of this 1990 classic, not your average book of standards, pianist Blake takes an unusual and broad take on Gershwin with the help of saxophonists Ricky Ford and Steve Lacy.

Trombonist Samuel Blaser's quartet with guitarist Marc Ducret, bassist Banz Oester and drummer Gerald Cleaver recording the leader's "Boundless Suite" in 4 magnificent parts.

Trombonist Samuel Blaser and his quartet of Marc Ducret (guitar), Banz Oester (double bass), and Gerald Cleaver (drums) perform his 4-part suite live with an ebb-and-flow tempo and intricate dynamics that are reflective of the sea.

Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser pays tribute to clarinetist and composer Jimmy Giuffre, in a quartet with Russ Lossing on piano & keys, Drew Gress on double bass, and Gerald Cleaver on drums, merging Giuffre's lyrical forms to create new and innovative compositions.

The Blue Notes with Louis Moholo-Moholo, Chris McGregor, Dudu Pukwana & Johnny Dyani in the 2nd Ogun release from their 1979 tour of Belgium and Holland, performing their South African rooted jazz live at Jazzclub De Hoop.

Dutch improvisers cornetist Eric Boeren, saxophonist Michael Moore, bassist Wilbert de Joode with drummer Paul Lovens performing live in 2004 at Concertgebouw, Brugge.

The unique voice of the Borbetomagus quartet recording in NYC in 1987, dark and beautiful improvisation that takes freedom to a unique level of squealing skronky feverish overtones and exhilaration.

The first Borbetomagus, an unprecedented release of extreme free/punk improvisation and sound from the trio of Jim Sauter (reeds), Don Dietrich (reeds) and Donald Miller (guitar).

The 1967 sessions that led to the formation of the Art Emsenble of Chicago, originally released as a single LP; trio and quartet session with foresight and vision.

Edge of your seat improv from this Vancouver quartet, cutting through genres and styles in a joyful mix of new and old jazz styles that mix mystery and complexity in amazing ways.

This impressive quartet was recorded live at the Molde International Jazz Festival in 2008, performing four extended improvisations of melodic and embraceable free jazz.

The last stop on the North American tour of The Bradford/Gjerstad Quartet (Bobby Bradford-cornet; Frode Gjerstad-alto sax & clarinet; Ingetbrigt Haker Flaten-bass; Frank Rosaly-drums), bridging generations through tremendous free improvisation.

Braxton's with Taylor Ho Bynum, Mary Halvorson and Katherine Young performing at the DOM in Moscow, incredible and unusual music from his "Diamond Curtain Wall Quartet".

Reissuing and remastering saxophonist Anthony Braxton's stellar release documenting his 1993 live performance with Marilyn Crispell on piano, Mark Dresser on bass, and Gerry Hemingway on percussion & marimba, demanding collective improvisation from masterful players.

Groove-based improvisations from keyboardist Brennan, percussionist Heral, guitarist Doran, and vocalist Amstad, an inspired record influenced by a confluence of world influences.

Trumpeter Magnus Broo's creative quartet in a set of original compositions that pay homage to Don Cherry while presenting their own forward pointing and impressive music.

A return to the group that kick-started Otoroku - the veteran German reedsman and free jazz pioneer Peter Brotzmann with the long-running London bass/drums partnership of John Edwards and Steve Noble, recording at the last set of a two-day residency at Cafe OTO in 2013.

A return to the group that kick-started Otoroku - the veteran German reedsman and free jazz pioneer Peter Brotzmann with the long-running London bass/drums partnership of John Edwards and Steve Noble, recording at the last set of a two-day residency at Cafe OTO in 2013.

A much-needed reissue of the 2002 release from the quartet of Peter Brotzmann (reeds), Joe McPhee (sax, pocket cornet, trumpet), Kent Kessler (double bass) and Michael Zerang (drums & percussion) recording in the studio for incredible free improvisation from four titans.

Frequent William Parker sideman alto saxophonist Rob Brown on his 1st Aum Fidelity solo record, studio recordings of the ensemble he put together for the 2006 Vision Festival.

Live recordings from LOFT in Cologne, 2007 of this quartet of collective improvisers including Brazilian saxophonist Yedo Gibson and pianist Veryan Weston.

Canadian saxophonist Francois Carrier in a trio with bassist Pierre Cote and drummer Michel Lambert, plus pianist Bobo Stenson performing live at the 2002 Vancouver Jazz Festival.

Melodic music recorded live in a Quebec church in 1989 with Jean-Denis Levasseur and Jean Derome on saxophones, Pierre Cartier on bass, and Pierre Tanguay on percussion.

Bassist and composer Hugo Carvalhais in an album hinting at chamber jazz with Dominique Pifarely's extraordinary violin work, but taking the music into unusual territory with his own keyboards, electronics, and by Jeremiah Cymerman's electronic manipulations.

Alto saxophonist Tim Berne joined the trio of bassist & composer Hugo Carvalhais, pianist Gabriel Pinto, & drummer Mario Costa for this debut of their informed and dynamic modern jazz project.

A large improvised work from the quartet of Angelica Castello (amplified subcontrabass, paetzold recorder and electronic devices, Billy Roisz (electronics), Burkhard Stangl (electric guitar) and Dieb13 (turntables & klopfer) performing live at Alte Schmiede Wien, Austria in 2013.

Theo Ceccarelli expands his string trio from their Ayler debut album, "Carrousel", adding bassist and free vocalist Joelle Leandre to the group, yielding a new dimension to their rapidly expanding repertoire of rich, interactive improvisation.

Improvisations and realisations of indeterminate scores by Michael Pisaro and John Cage from this trio originally brought together by a reading of Cardew's "Treatise".

The NY free improvising trio Chemical Composition (pianist Constance Cooper; percussionist John Cacciatore; electric guitarist Tom Desisto) are joined by Jeffrey Lependors on shakuhachi, xiao, and bawu.

Four generations of Chicago saxophonists--Dave Rempis, Ken Vandermark, Mars Williams, and Nick Mazzarella--come together in an interactive saxophone quartet with each player providing 2 compositions of well-developed, powerful, engaging free and lyrical jazz.

Intricate and beautifully paced electroacoustic improv from the quartet of Thanos Chrysakis (laptop, synth & radio), Ken Slaven (berimbu, autoharp, violin), James O'Sullivan (guitar) and Jerry Wigens (clarinet & mandolin).

Aural Terrains label leader and electronic composer Thanos Chrysakis in a work in five movements based on field recordings, synthesized, and acoustic instrumental sounds.

The first in a series of recordings from the shifting Circuit ea-improv ensemble, here with Trevor Taylor, Paul Dunmall, Jonathan Implett and Nick Stephens.

The 3rd CD in a series by the ea-improv group Circuit (Pat Thomas, Trevor Taylor, &c). music influenced by the japanese artist and illusionist Akiyoshi Kitaoka.

Percussionist Trevor Taylor's Circuit mixes acoustic instruments, electronics and real-time processing to morph alien sounding landscapes through well-honed improvising, here with Paul Dunmall, Hilary Jeffires, and Roberto Filoseta.