On Automaginary, the Gnawa-inspired cosmic jazz of Natural Information Society is augmented by the flowing textures of Chicago new age trio Bitchin Bajas to create an album of enveloping drones and trance-inducing rhythms. (Follow link for full Review)
Natural Information Society & Bitchin Bajas – Automaginary Read More »
Released in 1975 on Casablanca Records Format: LP
Parliament – Mothership Connection Read More »
Released in 1974 on Virgin Records Original U.S. Pressing, Promo Copy
Robert Wyatt – Rock Bottom [Promo] Read More »
Anxious and dissonant proto-math rock composed and improvised by a trio of innovative, idiosyncratic, and influential musicians. Guitarist Fred Frith pulls new dimensions of sound out of his instrument, blending bizarrely textured riffs with dark, noisy atmospheres. Bassist Bill Laswell is one of the great musical collaborators in all of music, often bringing together innumerable amazing musicians from all genres to create unique sonic fusions. Here, Bill and drummer Fred Maher lay down some nasty, disjointed grooves that lock you in despite their angular, asymmetrical time signatures
Massacre – Killing Time Read More »
Originally released in 1996 on Thrill Jockey Records 2012 pressing
Tortoise – Millions Now Living Will Never Die Read More »
An Angel Fell is a call to action for protecting and healing our planet, using folklore, group vocals, uplifting themes, deep grooves, and expressive improvisations to deliver the message. While not as wild and loose as the dense free jazz the Pyramids made back in the 70s, this record is an organic and vibrant fusion of spiritual jazz, dub, and Afrobeat that will give fans of musical geniuses such as Sun Ra, King Tubby, Fela Kuti, and Pharoah Sanders plenty to vibe to.
Idris Ackamoor & the Pyramids – An Angel Fell Read More »
An acoustic trio of piano, upright bass, and drums utilize creative extended techniques to play evolving minimalist compositions of mutating grooves, polyrhythms, and textures.
Dawn of MIDI – Dysnomia Read More »
Released in 1966 on Blue Note Records 1971 United Artists Repress Format: LP
Herbie Hancock – Maiden Voyage Read More »
Released in 2010 on 4AD Records Format: LP, white vinyl
Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest Read More »
Originally released in 2002 on Secretly Canadian 2014 deluxe reissue Format: LPx2 (full album on first LP and demos on second LP)
Songs: Ohia – Didn’t It Rain (Deluxe Edition) Read More »
Categorization and comparison are the least of lojii’s worries, instead prioritizing creative expression and finding spiritual truth and power in this dimly lit dystopia. He delivers his prophetic words with a focused, unwavering determination, while the beats are gritty and nocturnal with their open percussion, eerie synths, and negative space. Don’t miss out on this one.
Released in 2011 on Sub Pop Records Produced by Phil Ek and Fleet Foxes Format: LPx2 Includes large foldout poster
Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues Read More »
Recorded August 19-21, 1969 Originally released in 1970 on Columbia Records 2008 Legacy Pressing Format: LPx2
Miles Davis – Bitches Brew Read More »
Groovy soul instrumentals decorated with sweeping orchestral arrangements, jazz soloing, and psychedelic guitars, all inspired by William Blake’s writings.
David Axelrod – Songs of Innocence Read More »
Originally released in 1989 on Fiction Records 2010 pressing, Digitally Remastered by Robert Smith Format: LPx2
The Cure – Disintegration Read More »
Enveloping blankets of piano and synthesizers that are mostly beautifully soothing, but occasionally venture down shadowy alleyways full of eerie suspense.
Harold Budd/Brian Eno – Ambient 2: The Plateaux of Mirror Read More »
A unique blend of post-rock, stoner rock, and shoegaze crafted into a cohesive, perfectly fluid 25 minutes. Hallucinogenic atmospheres, shadowy guitar effects, and mysterious pitch-shifted vocals envelope driving, stoner-fuzz bass lines that often liquify into the watery chorus-bass you might find on the Cure’s Disintegration or an Isis album.
Marriages – Kitsune Read More »
“Four relentless bouts of inspired fire music forged from the true spirit of free jazz, driven by searing poetic narrations of Black trauma, survival and power” (from press release)
Click for review
Irreversible Entanglements – Irreversible Entanglements Read More »
Released in 2012 by Numero Group Recorded in 1976 Format: LP Overview Originally recorded in 1976, this psychedelic latin-jazz masterpiece never got a proper release due to both a lack of interest from record labels and Lovo’s family having to flee from Nicaragua in fear of the mass executions committed by the Sandinista government. Thanks
Alfonso Lovo – La Gigantona Read More »
Released in 1981 on ECM Records Recorded in concert in May, 1980 at Amerika Haus München, Germany Format: LPx2
Art Ensemble of Chicago – Urban Bushmen Read More »
Lushly cinematic folk-rock draped in sweeping string arrangements and spacey synth atmospheres. Damien’s reverbed falsetto recalls Jim James (My Morning Jacket) and Bon Iver as he softly sings of God, “spaceships”, and other imagery blending Christian themes with science-fiction.
For fans of My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses, and Beck’s Sea Change
Damien Jurado – Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son Read More »
Recorded Dec 3-4, 1965 in Stockholm, Sweden Released in 1966 on Blue Note Records Ornette Coleman – Alto Sax, Violin, Trumpet David Izenzon – Bass Charles Moffett – Drums
The Ornette Coleman Trio – At the “Golden Circle” Stockholm Read More »
Recorded live at Cafe Monmartre in Copenhagen, Denmark on November 23, 1962 Released in 1976 on Arista Records
Cecil Taylor – Nefertiti, the Beautiful One Has Come Read More »
Released in 1959 on Atlantic Records 1970’s Pressing
Ornette Coleman – The Shape of Jazz to Come Read More »
Released in 1988 on Parlophone Records 2012 Pressing
Talk Talk – Spirit of Eden Read More »
Released in 2006 on Drag City Records Format: LPx2
Joanna Newsom – Ys Read More »
Released in 2015 on People Teeth Format: LP
Port St. Willow – Syncope Read More »
Released in 2007 on Young God Records Format: LPx2
Akron/Family – Love is Simple Read More »
Released in 2002 on Arts & Crafts Records Format: LPx2
Broken Social Scene – You Forgot It In People Read More »
Released in 2018 on Yakketeeyak Music Review: Right out of the gate Little Boat sounds like an homage to the country-tinged classic rock and Americana of the 1970’s. It is full of soaring choruses, bluesy riffs, slide guitars, polished production, and perfectionist Eagles-esque harmonies (especially on “Start Living Again”). Mathur’s lyrics contain all the introspection and
Ajay Mathur – Little Boat Read More »
Information: Released in 1974 on Milestone Recorded on July 7, 1973
McCoy Tyner – Enlightenment Read More »
This fantastic compilation album consists of 2 hours of unreleased recording sessions ranging from 1970 to 1974. Despite some incohesiveness, this release contains some of the most exciting, creative and uncategorizable music of Miles’ career.
Miles Davis – Get Up With It Read More »
Three volumes of instrumental heavy-psych jams from Denmark, inspired by Black Sabbath, jazz fusion and krautrock.
Causa Sui – Summer Sessions Vol. 1-3 Read More »
Information: This album was released in 1969 on Bizzarre Records
Frank Zappa – Hot Rats Read More »
I highly recommend this album to fans of the innovative and exploratory period of jazz fusion of the early 70’s, where electric instrumentation, funk rhythms, experimental production techniques, and spacey synthesizers met the improvisation, freedom, and uplifting soul of the spiritual jazz of the 60’s. Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi trilogy, Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew, Weather Report’s first LP are good touchstones, but this album truly offers something unique.
Julian Priester Pepo Mtoto – Love, Love Read More »
Information Released in 1973 on Columbia Records Recorded between 1936-1958
Billie Holiday – Billie’s Blues Read More »
A hypnotic, meditative minimalist classic whose influence can be traced throughout several threads of modern music.
Steve Reich – Music for 18 Musicians Read More »
Information: Originally released in 1971 This deluxe pressing was released in 2013 on Klimt Records Format: LPx2 (second LP contains bonus tracks)
Caravan – In the Land of Grey and Pink [Deluxe Edition] Read More »
Information: Released in 1978 on PVC Records Format: LP
Brian Eno – Ambient 1: Music for Airports Read More »
A psychedelic synth odyssey created with only an expanded Series III Moog by Robert Margouleff and synth-guru Malcolm Cecil (who programmer synths on legendary albums by Stevie Wonder and Gil-Scott Heron in addition to his ambient solo work). The intricately layered results here feel like a synthetic wilderness, with a wide variety of colors and textures that sound warm, organic, and natural despite their electronic origins.
Tonto’s Exploding Head Band – Zero Time Read More »
The brooding, atmospheric synth-pop of Poliça’s third LP finds Channy Leaneagh’s passionate vocals once again supported by prominent bass grooves, driving dual drummers, and occasional string and horn arrangements, all mapped into intricate, quantized webs of programmed beats and synthesizers by co-leader/producer Ryan Olsen. Lyrically, the album centers around themes of isolation, fading love, and as well as more political topics such as police violence.
For fans of Portishead, The Knife
Poliça – United Crushers Read More »
“What I’m asking you to do is take some risks. Stop paying war taxes, refuse the armed forces, organize against the air war, support the strikes and boycotts of farmers, workers and poor people, analyze the flag salute, give up the nation state, share your money, refuse to hate, be willing to work…in short, sisters and brothers, arm up with love and come from the shadows”
Joan Baez – Come From the Shadows Read More »
Five intuitive and melodic duets performed by two longtime musical soulmates. Charlie Haden plays upright bass and Ornette plays tenor saxophone and trumpet on the last track.
Ornette Coleman & Charlie Haden – Soapsuds, Soapsuds Read More »
Information: Originally released in 1963 on Columbia This pressing was released in 2001 on Sundazed records Format: LP, 180g, Mono
Bob Dylan – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan Read More »
On his debut album, the guitar and banjo virtuoso starts off with a 22-minute droning epic fusing American and Arabic Folk music with Indian Raga on his acoustic guitar (often trying to imitate the feeling of the oud). Here, he is accompanied by the fluid, driving drums of Billy Higgins. Side 2 is made up of 4 shorter solo pieces, mostly for the banjo, including an impressive rendition of “Carmina Burana” by German composer Carl Orff and a folky mountain song.
Sandy Bull – Fantasias for Guitar and Banjo Read More »
Album Information Originally released in 1981 This pressing was released in 2013 on Grönland Records Format: LP Features parallel groove on one side so different track plays depending on where needle lands
Holger Czukay – On the Way to the Peak of Normal Read More »
British singer-songwriter John Martyn fuses folk, jazz, and psychedelic experimentation to create an album that is both eclectic and cohesive, tied together by his flowing voice and virtuosic acoustic guitar fingerpicking.
FFO Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Ryley Walker
John Martyn – Solid Air Read More »
Album Information: Released in 2003 on Saddle Creek Format: LPx7, box set Includes 5 Bright Eyes releases between 1997 and 2002
Bright Eyes – Vinyl Box Set Read More »
Fuzzy riffs, driving rhythms, and spacey synths tear through the speakers like a blistering comet through the solar system.
For fans of Black Sabbath, Neu!, Jethro Tull
Hawkwind – Doremi Fasil Latido Read More »
This is what I imagine a black hole might sound like. “Zeit” translates to “Time”, yet time feels completely suspended here, filled instead with vast negative space in which burbling VCS 3 synthesizers, suspenseful organs, and a droning quartet of cellos float in and out. These four sidelong pieces erase all traces of rock or any kind of beat from Tangerine Dream’s sound, leaving ominous space-ambient music in its purest form.
Tangerine Dream – Zeit Read More »
Kendrick travels through the history of African-American music and into the future, taking inspiration from P-Funk, G-Funk, jazz, trap and everything in between. His lyrics display an acute awareness of someone battling with the weight of fame, institutional racism, and his own depression. This album is simultaneously personal and universal, and nothing short of revolutionary.
Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly Read More »
Lush, beautiful psych-folk with a spiritual jazz fluidity that comes from Larkin inviting her close musician friends to improvise over her passionate songs with harp, trumpet, strings, woodwinds, etc. Think Tim Buckley meets Alice Coltrane
Larkin Grimm – Chasing an Illusion Read More »
The singer makes an album dealing with the grief and eventual acceptance that followed her sister’s suicide. The style is reminiscent of the spacey lounge-pop of her previous band, Stereolab, although much lighter and dreamier.
Laetitia Sadier – The Trip Read More »
Makes me feel like I’m sitting alone at a party, gazing across a dark, smoky room; an outsider looking in. Chill, disjointed beats, hushed atmospheres, lonely melodies.
Shlohmo – Bad Vibes Read More »
Album Information: Originally released in 1964 on Blue Note Records 1975 United Artists Pressing
Donald Byrd Band & Voices – A New Perspective Read More »
The apocalyptic sounds of spiritual warfare.
Neurosis – Times of Grace Read More »
Album Information: Originally released in 1970 on Atlantic Records 1974 Repress
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin III Read More »
Released in 1968 on Columbia Records Recorded in 1967 Format: LP
Miles Davis – Nefertiti Read More »
LP, Drag City, 2013 Overview In an interview around the release of Dream River, Bill Callahan said he wanted it to be “the last record you could listen to at the end of the day, before you go to bed, around midnight.” So for my first listen of the album I crawled into bed with my
Bill Callahan – Dream River Read More »
After a prolific career as a noise/improvisational/experimental guitarist and a few forays into folk and chamber pop, Jim O’Rourke surprised his audience with an album closer to straightforward rock than his audience could have ever expected of him. Yet underneath it’s catchy, cheery, and polished exterior, his lyrics are full of humorously bitter resentment. Like his debut singer/songwriter album Eureka, Insignificance is full of the meticulous and lush arrangements that Jim would become known for.
Jim O’Rourke – Insignificance Read More »
