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A solo album from Belfast double bassist Alan Niblock, known for his own group Ambient Forces, and his work in a trio with Paul Dunmall and Mark Sanders (Dark Energy), on his own demonstrating a powerfully warm approach to the large strings, augmented and transformed through preparations and objects, improvising in a flowing continuum of rich strategies and concepts.
 

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Niblock, Alan / John Butcher / Mark Sanders Tectonic Plates (577 Records)

A formidable trio debut from Irish double bassist Alan Niblock with British improvisers John Butcher on saxophones and Mark Sanders on drums and percussion, recorded live at The Black Box in Belfast and unfolding across five tectonically inspired pieces that channel collective intuition, dynamic interplay, and seismic shifts of intensity and form.

Research (Dvorak / Weston / Brown / Serle) Laws of Motion (FMR)

The first album from 1982 by drummer Geoff Serle's band Research, combining free improvisation with rock forms, electric and acoustic, or as he described it: "an electro-funk industrial jazz unit", configured as the quartet of trumpeter Jim Dvorak, a member of Mujician & Brotherhood of Breath, bassist Dan Brown from The Fixx, and legendary pianist Veryan Weston.

Schvarzman, Pablo / Francois Carrier / Michel Lambert / Diego Calicedo Glow (FMR)

The longstanding Canadian duo of alto saxophonist Francois Carrier and drummer Michel Lambert recorded this expressively energetic album of five dynamic free improvisations at Soda Acustic in Barcelona in a quartet with two South American electric guitarists living in Spain: Argentinian guitarist Pablo Scvarzman and Colombian guitarist Diego Calicedo.

Schirmer, Brode Unit (w/ Jan Roder / Matthias Broede) Berlin, Germany (FMR)

Led by bass clarinetist Tobias Schirmer and harmonica player Matthias Broede, also on piano, with Jan Roder on bass and drummer Bernd Oezsevim, this German quartet blends contemporary jazz through four original Brode compositions and two collective improvisations, performed with melodic intent and tight, quick interaction as recorded live at Tito's Zentrifuge in Berlin.

Jones, Jean Claude (JC) Give It Your All - Wild Guitar Musings 2 (Kadima)

Active and informed improvisations on acoustic guitar from Jean Claude "JC" Jones, label leader of the Kadima Collective and also known as a double bassist, though his roots are in the guitar, which he has returned to with vigor since 2016, performing on lap-style prepared acoustic and prepared Spanish guitar, heard here in 13 concise pieces titled by single words.

Tromans, Doctor Steve The Way (FMR)

A member of the Paul Dunmall Quintet and Ed Gauden's Crux, Birmingham UK pianist, composer and band leader Steve Tromans presents an album of original work, lyrical and introspective pieces improvised in the studio as a response to the duress of the global pandemic, motivated to record on a great piano in the great Sansom Studio based on recent life experiences.

Pederneschi, Alberto Microcosmo (FMR)

Using prepared drums drums, objects, voice, and Kalimba, Italian drummer Alberto Pederneschi presents eight solo works recorded in the studio, an unhurried but authoritative set of pieces that merge composed and improvised sections, drawing and evoking a narrative sense in coherent arrangements and intimate story telling.

Tippett, Keith Musician Supreme [4 CD BOX SET] (FMR)

Collecting 4 albums with pianist Keith Tippetts: The Bern Concert, a 1993 live duo with Howard Riley; Linückea, a 2000 studio album with The Kreutzer String Quartet plus a narrated work; The Dartington Trio of Keith Tippett, Julie Tippetts & Paul Dunmall live in 2003; and The Dartington Trio Live at The Priory at the Southend International Jazz Festival.

Ali, Sean My Tongue Crumbles After (Neither/Nor Records)

New York bassist Sean Ali demonstrates his astonishing bass technique and creative momentum in a solo album, accompanied at times by collages assembled from field and voice recordings, creating unusual sonic backdrops against which his powerful playing, preparations, bowing and other extended techniques reveal an optimistic and unusual creative intent.

Long, Ashley John PSI (FMR)

Virtuoso UK bassist Ashley John Long presents a startling array of approaches and techniques on the double bass over 11 improvisations, from concise shorter presentations to expansive displays of skill, excitement or introspection, all with an ear to captivating his listener.

Niggenkemper, Pascal Look With Thine Ears (Clean Feed)

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.

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Brennan, Patricia Of The Near And Far (Pyroclastic Records)

A stellar ensemble of strings, piano, guitar, drums and electronics performs Patricia Brennan's constellation-derived compositions, weaving data-mapped harmonies, celestial mythology and improvisation into vivid chamber-jazz textures that balance luminous exploration with introspective depth as each instrument expands its sonic role in the music's cosmic design.

Rempis / Adasiewicz / Abrams / Damon Propulsion (Aerophonic)

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Granberg, Magnus (w/ Miki Maruta / Ko Ishikawa / Toshimaru Nakamura) Come Down To Earth Where Sorrow Dwelleth -- Revised Version For Sho, Koto, Prepared Piano And Electronic (Meenna)

Composer Magnus Granberg originally composed "Come Down to Earth Where Sorrow Dwelleth" for the Boston-based ensemble Ordinary Affects, previously released in 2020 on the Meena label, now in a version reworked for sho, koto, prepared piano and electronics by Ko Ishikawa, Miki Maruta and Toshimaru Nakamura, recording in the studio before their performance at the 2019 Ftarri Festival.

Butcher, John / Dominic Lash / Emil Karlsen Here and How (Bead)

Impeccably recorded in the studio, the long-running and varied collaborations of saxophonist John Butcher, double bassist Dominic Lash and drummer Emil Karlsen come together for the first time as a trio, recording eight succinct improvisations of remarkable technique and nearly telepathic dialog, allowing space for each player to display their masterful skill.

Berthling, Johan Bjornhorn (thanatosis produktion)

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Leandre, Joelle At Souillac en Jazz (Ayler Records)

An extraordinary solo double bass set recorded at Saint-Jacques church of Cales, Lot, France in 2021 as part of the Souillac en Jazz festival from Joëlle Léandre, reaching into the depths for an incomparable and intensely concentrated display of technical skill and passion on the deep strings; captivating, visceral and cathartic.

Formanek, Michael and Peter Dyads (Out Of Your Head Records)

Since 2017 the father/son duo of double bassist Michael Formanek and woodwind player Peter Formanek have performed, recorded and toured together, here recording in the studio in 2019 with the wind player on tenor saxophone and clarinet, the familial history and life of collaboration showing in the warmth and easy discourse between the two, heard in 13 succinct improvisations.

Parker, Evan / John Edwards / Tony Marsh Medway Blues (FMR)

A superb 2009 concert at Command House, in Chatham, UK from the trio of saxophonist Evan Parker, double bassist John Edwards, and late drummer/percussionist Tony Marsh, a single 36 minute improvisation of cohesive and energetic free jazz where all three pull together as a nearly telepathic unit, plus two extended duo sections between Edwards and Marsh and a Marsh solo.

Schindler / Stemkowoski Related Unigue Items (FMR)

Recorded at the 2019 Salon fur Klang+Kunst, in Krailing/Munich, this consummate and creative meeting of multi-reed & brass improviser Udo Schindler and double bassist Thomas Stempkowski was performed as a dedication to bassist Simon H. Fell who passed from cancer in 2020; sadly Stempkowski also died during the production of this album, making this both a farewell and a memorial.

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2021 reissue of this 2004 release on the DUNS label bringing together a uniquely voiced quartet with Paul Dunmall on tenor & soprano saxophones, virtuoso concertina player Simon Thoumire, John Edwards on double bass and Philip Gibbs on guitar, with both Dunmall & Thoumire performing on bagpipes on two tracks; a welcome reissue to a distinctive and thought-provoking album.

Dunmall, Paul / Jonathan Impett / Andrew Ball / Paul Rogers / Phillip Gibbs Undistracted (FMR)

A 2004 quintet recording from Victoria Rooms in Bristol with the core of long-time collaborators Paul Dunmall on tenor sax, Paul Rogers on bass and Philip Gibbs, performing with two improvisers also well known for their work in compositional forms--Jonathan Impett on trumpet and Andrew Ball on piano--bringing unique perspectives to their far-ranging, advanced improvisation.

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An unusual quintet of prominent New York improvisers--Peter Evans on trumpet, Tim Dahl on bass violin, Matt Nelson on tenor saxophone, and Ron Stabinsky on bass--performing Nandor Nevai's compositions: two Quintets and the two part "Sap Gloves"--Nevai performing on tenor sax, voice and conducting, blurring modern improv, chamber jazz and bizarre spoken word moments; outstanding and unsettling.

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Bringing to life the story of an event that changed the course of Finland's 1918 civil war, taking listeners on a narrative journey of haunting beauty and power presented through a layering of chamber composition and improvisation, from the duo of Pepa Paivinen performing on flutes, woodwinds & Seagull Merlin dulcimer and drummer/percussionist Jussi Miettola.

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