With members from Angles, Universal Indians, Frode Gjerstad Trio, Friends and Neighbors, &c. the quintet of Martin Kuchen (sax), Thomas Johansson (trumpet), Mats Aleklin (trombone), Jon Rune Strom (bass) and Tollef Ostvang (drums) play modern, energetic jazz that kicks Satan's ass; highly recommended!

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.

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.

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.

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.

With members from Fire!, Red Trio, Amado Motion Trio, &c., the trio of Pedro Sousa (sax), Johan Berthling (bass) and GabrielFerrandini (drums) push the envelope in free improvisation that is energetic, argumentative, restless, and ultimately extremely intelligent.

French free improvisers Benjamin Duboc (double bass) and Jean-Luc Petit (contrabass & clarinet) in a moody album of bass tones, deep harmonics and rich timbral interaction with beautiful pacing that rises in confrontation and then descends back to artful darkness.

Drummer Joe Herteinstein's followup to his 1st Clean Feed HNH album from his New York trio with Pascal Niggenkemper on bass and Thomas Heberer on cornet, adding a New York attitude to European modern jazz, with oustanding playing using a mix of traditional and inventive approaches.

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.

With members from Angles, Universal Indians, Frode Gjerstad Trio, Friends and Neighbors, &c. the quintet of Martin Kuchen (sax), Thomas Johansson (trumpet), Mats Aleklin (trombone), Jon Rune Strom (bass) and Tollef Ostvang (drums) play modern, energetic jazz that kicks Satan's ass; highly recommended!

A multinational jazz trio using compositional and improvisational approaches, led by drummer Dre Hocevar, with Bram De Looze on piano, and Lester St. Louis on cello, plus NY electronics artist Sam Pluta providing signal processing on the title track.

The 3rd volume in NY guitarist Elliott Sharp's "Octal" project, using a Koll 8-string guitar/bass, an electroacoustic hollow-bodied guitar with 2 extra bass strings, presenting unedited improvisations of technical and sonic power.

The 3rd issue from Elliott Sharp's compiled series of guitar work in the 21st century, demonstrating new sounds, processes, techniques, melodies, riffs and gestures from a who's-who of modern improvising guitarists, a must-have release for all guitar fans and players.

Ever-active bassist Pascal Niggenkemper in his first solo album of riveting and intriguing double bass work, from aggressive to contemplative and immersive improvisations using work using bass preparations to transform the instrument and make us rethink its potential.

The trio of Belgian reedist Joachim Badenhorst, French-Japanese violist Frantz Loriot, and French-German bassist Pascal Niggenkemper formed the Baloni trio in Brooklyn in 2008, presenting a blend of chamber and free jazz; reserved to frenetic playing that consistently surprises.

Deux Maisons (Two Houses) is a chamber jazz quartet bringing together French and Portuguese players of the current generation: from France, 2 brothers, Theo & Valentin Ceccaldi (violin and cello); from Portugal, Luis Vicente (trumpet) & Marco Franco (drums).

NY saxophonist Tony Malaby's latest album was recorded with his most consistent collaborators--tubist Dan Peck, cellist Christopher Hoffman, and drummer/percussionist John Hollenbeck--in an album of energetic improv with a unique timbral configuration.

Portugese electric guitarist Luis Lopes with his Berlin Trio of Robert Landfermann on double bass and Christin Lillinger that balances dark tonal work with kicking free improvisation, somewhere between ea-improv and free jazz, a mysterious and absorbing release.

A multi-national trio from Slovenia (Bostjan Simon-sax), Norway (Stephan Meidell-guitar, bass & electronics) and Portugal (Luis Candeias-drums) bringing a diverse set of modern influences including electronics, alternative rock and sound/noise to excellent free improvisation.

Performing live at the 2014 Ljubljana Jazz Festival, this piano jazz trio led by Fulco Ottervanger with Lieven Van Pee on bass and Simon Segers on drums performed with special guest Susana Silva for a lyrical set of creative free improv borrowing from a variety of styles.

A New York-born trio of European free improvisers, bassist Pascal Niggenkemper, clarinetist Joachim Badenhorst, and viola player Frank Loriot present a unique orchestration that blends contemporary compositional forms with free improvisation in sublime ways.

West Coast trombonist and electronic artist Michael Dessen's electroacoustic trio with bassist Christopher Tordini and drummer Dan Weiss, balancing detailed compositions and radically open improvisation that equally embraces groove-based improv and soundscape.

The electroacoustic quartet of Christof Kurzmann (electronics), Devin Hoff (bass), Ken Vandermark (reeds) and Tim Daisy (drums) performing live in Lisbon, an innovative and significant band developing new languages for improvisation.

Double bassist Mark Dresser's first Quintet album in almost 20 years, innovative modern jazz from the impressive ensemble of Rudresh Mahanthappa (saxophone), Michael Dessen (trombone), Denman Maroney (hyperpiano), and Tom Rainey or Michael Sarin (drums).

Drummer Christian Lillinger continues to adapt his band since his 2009 debut GRUND album, "First Reason", here demonstrating his strong skills as a leader, player, and composer.

Bassist Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten is joined by key improvisers Joe McPhee (sax), Joe Morris (guitar) and Nate Wooley (trumpet) for this improvised studio recording, free improvisation with the influence of swing and blues.

Genre-crossing improvisation with a jazz basis and far-reaching influences from guitarist Luis Lopez and his Berlin Trio of bassist Robert Landfermann and drummer Christian Lillinger.

The "Inner Landscape" of cellist Daniel Levin's playing in a 6-part solo release of pure improvisation as Levin finds his music in real time through spontaneous play and surprise.

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.

Frequent collaborators Fields and Schubert on electric guitar and tenor saxophone performing innovative and virtuosic material in ways that sound much larger than a duo setting would imply.

Italian Transalpine reedist Piero Bittolo (El Gallo Rojo) in his oddly named trio playing freeform jazz with a groovy accent, refined technique, imagination, soul and guts.

Luis Lopes put together this international group including Sei Miguel, Joe Giardullo & Benjamin Duboc for gigs in Portugal, which worked so well that they went to the studio for this impressive release.

The German born NYC-based trio of quarter-tone trumpeter Thomas Heberer, drummer Joe Hertenstein and bassist Pascal Niggenkemperer, bringing European perspectives to jazz with a NY flavor.

"Grunen" (The Greening) is a live totally improvised recording from the trio of pianist Achim Kaufmann, bassist Robert Landfermann, and drummer Christian Lillinger.

Cornetist Taylor Ho Bynum, drummer Harris Eisenstadt, pianist Alexander Hawkins and bassist Dominic Lash converge for 9 pieces of avant-jazz and free music.

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

Lokomotive's "Labyrinths" with bassist Baretto at the top of his game in playing and scoring this driving and unorthodox set of pieces, performed with two of Portugal's most in-demand players.

Bassist Lightcap's Bigmouth with Tony Malaby, Chris Cheek & Andrew D'Angelo on sax, Craig Taborn on keys and Gerald Cleaver on drums, NY jazz with remarkable rapport and prowess.

A four part suite bridging compositional and improvisational music from Portugese pocket trumpeter Sei Miguel in a quintet including Rafael Toral on modulated electronics.

Tenor saxophonist Nicolas Masson's quartet mixes influences as far-ranging as Ornette Coleman, Black Sabbath, Wayne Short, Warne Marsh and Olivier Messiaen.

Pianist Julio Resende's International Quartet with Spanish saxophonist Perico Sambeat, Norway's Ole Morten Vagan on bass, &c., modern jazz plus one Pink Floyd cover(!).

An amazing jazz quartet with saxophonist Alberto Pinton and Jonas Kullhammar (Moserobie Music), music inspired by the 50s & 60s Blue Note style with a 21st century edge.

Portugal bassist Ze Eduardo's trio in a set of compositions that includes jazz versions of animated televisions series, including a great cover of The Simpson's theme.

Music inspired and fascinated by Italian cultural history, art, poetry, &c., from the collective quartet of John Butcher, John Edwards, Fabrizio Spera and Alberto Braida.

Drummer Charles Rumback in a quartet with Greg Ward & Joshua Sclar on sax, bringing together jazz tradition with the aesthetics of the eclectic Chicago scene.

Portuguese guitarist Luis Lopes with NY bassist Adam Lane and Israeli drummer Igal Fonis, emotional, raw music, with lots of feedback and distortion and astonishing solos!

Ranging from trio to septet, Herculaneum incorporates a chamber aesthetic into modern improvisational aesthetic with graceful expressiveness and compositional power.

Bay area trumpeter and bandleader Johntson in a set of original compositions performed with Ben Goldberg, Sheldon Brown, Devin Hoff and Smith Dobson.

Multi-reed and wind player Steve Adams, a member of Rova Saxophone Quartet, in 2000 recordings from San Francisco with his trio of Ken Filiano and Scott Amendola.

Cellist Daniel Levin's trio with Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten and Gerald Cleaver in a set of original compositions from one of contempory jazz's masters of cello improvisation.