1970s

Ilhan Mimaroglu – Sing Me a Song of Songmy

Style: Avant-Garde Classical, Electro-Acoustic, Tape Music, Creative Music, Third Stream

Vibes: Ominous, Sombre, Anxious, Cinematic, Dystopian, Surreal, Poetic, Chaotic, Cold, Complex, Eclectic, Exploratory

Themes: Political, Colonialism, War, Death, Liberation, History

Musical Qualities: Orchestral, Collage, Polyphonic, Dynamic, Spoken Word, Dense, Progressive, Sampling, Choral, Improvisation

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Marion Brown – Duets

Compilation of two duo records:
“Creative Improvisation Ensemble” recorded with Wadada Leo Smith in 1970
“Soundways” recorded with Elliott Schwartz in 1973

Style: Creative Music, Free Improvisation, Avant-Garde Jazz

Vibes: Open, Suspenseful, Abstract, Deconstructed, Intertwined, Restrained, Searching, Spontaneous

Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Poly-Free Improvisation, Atonal, Percussive, Slow, Sparse, Instrumental

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Jack DeJohnette – Sorcery

with Dave Holland, Bennie Maupin, John Abercrombie, Michael Fellerman, & Mick Goodrick

Style: Psychedelic Jazz-Rock, Prog, Jazz Fusion

Vibe: Exploratory, Mysterious, Driving, Groovy, Psychedelic, Bluesy, Eclectic

Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Dub, Shred, Technical, Rhythmic. Progressive

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Osamu Kitajima – Osamu

Style: Fusion, Neoclassical New Age, Jazz-Rock, Progressive Rock, Mystical Folk

Vibes: Ethereal, Groovy, Exploratory, Dreamy, Cosmic, Meditative, Playful, Psychedelic, Smooth, Soothing, Spiritual

Instrumentation: Koto, Biwa, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Shakuhachi, Nohkan, Strings, Rhodes, Organ, Clavinet, Synthesizers, Chamberlin, Drums, Electric & Acoustic Bass

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Abdul Wadud – By Myself

Style: Free-Improvisation, Chamber-Jazz, Spiritual Jazz

Vibes: Contemplative, Searching, Autumnal, Intimate, Elegant, Free, Spiritual, Meditative, Bittersweet, Mysterious, Hypnotic, Passionate, Pastoral

Instrumentation: Cello

Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Solo, Instrumental, Sparse

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Art Bears – Winter Songs

Fred Frith, Chris Cutler, Dagmar Krause

Style: Rock in Opposition, Avant-Prog, Tape Music, Chamber Rock

Vibes: Dystopian, Sombre, Winter, Ominous, Anxious, Cold, Disturbing, Knotty, Suspenseful, Theatric, Eccentric

Musical Qualities: Dissonant, Complex, Uncommon Time Signatures, Extended Technique, Loops, Technical, Progressive, Studio-as-an-Instrument

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Arthur Russell – Iowa Dream

Style: Singer/Songwriter, Folk Pop, Americana

Vibe: Warm, Tender, Romantic, Reflective, Playful, Love, Compassionate, Rustic, Bittersweet, Intimate, Mellow

Musical Qualities: Catchy, Lyrical, Lush, Home Recording, Acoustic, Melodic

Instrumentation: Vocals, Cello, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Drums, Keyboards, Organ, Vibraphone, Tabla, Violin, Bongos, Horns, Flute, Bass

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Henry Flynt – Graduation

LPx2, Archival, Superior Viaduct, 2001 / 2013 Recorded 1975-1979 Style: Weird Americana, “Cowboy Raga”, Old-Time, Celestial Boogie, Back-porch Minimalism Vibes: Hypnotic, Warm, Rural, Summer, Energetic, Groovy, Playful, Psychedelic, Rootsy, Ecstatic Instrumentation: Fiddle, Tapes, Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Saxophone, Drums Musical Qualities: Droney, Instrumental, Improvisation, Minimalistic, Modal, Repetitive Graduation by Henry Flynt

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Oregon – Music of Another Present Era

LP, Vanguard, 1972 featuring Colin Walcott, Ralph Towner, Glen Moore, and Paul McCandless Style: Ecstatic Chamber-Music, Raga-Jazz Vibe: Flowing, Ethereal, Searching, Bright, Airy, Intertwined, Soothing, Spiritual, Spring, Elegant Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Virtuosic, Raga, Lush, Thematic Improvisation, Progressive, Melodic Instrumentation: Classical Guitar, Tabla, Oboe, Sitar, Upright Bass, Piano, English Horn, Mridangam, Violin, Flute, Percussion, 12-String Guitar,

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Stephen Micus – Koan

Style: Mystical Folk, New Age, Fourth World

Vibe: Ethereal, Meditative, Introspective, Airy, Searching, Healing, Mysterious, Soothing

Musical Qualities: Soft, Acoustic, Reverb-Heavy, Minimalistic, Instrumental

Instrumentation: Shakuhachi, Zither, Gender, Sarangi, Rabab, Bodhran, Angklung, Kyeezee, Bells, Acoustic Guitar

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Ornette Coleman – Of Human Feelings

tyle: Free-Funk, Jazz Fission, Mutant Disco, No Wave, Abstract Groove

Vibe: Surreal, Kinetic, Angular, Knotted, Playful, Manic, Groovy, Energetic

Musical Qualities: Harmolodic, Polyphonic, Rhythmic, Dissonant, Dense, Instrumental, Collective Improvisation, Technical

Prime Time Band: Jamaaladeen Tacuma (Electric Bass); Denardo Coleman (Drums); Bern Nix (Guitar); Charlie Ellerbee (Guitar); Calvin Weston (Drums)

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Matching Mole

Style: Canterbury Scene, Progressive Pop

Moods: Plaintive, Playful, Lonely, Longing, Melancholy, Dreamy, Eccentric, Tender, Sentimental

Instrumentation: Mellotron, Piano, Drums, Organ, Electric Bass, Electric Guitar, Electric Piano, Drums, Voice

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Henry Cow – Unrest

On their second LP, Henry Cow weaves together elements of eerie chamber music, free improvisation, and deconstructed prog to create something that seems like the missing link between the Canterbury jazz-rock of Soft Machine and Gong and the dissonant avant-rock of This Heat.

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J.J. Cale – 5

Style: Roots Rock, Blues Rock, Singer/Songwriter

Moods: Confident, Laid Back, Sensual, Romantic, Mellow Swagger, Road Trip, Warm, Sunny, Bluesy, Sexual, Rootsy

Musical Qualities: Lush, Groovy, Melodic, Sleek

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Billy Hart – Enchance

featuring Buster Williams, Dewey Redman, Dave Holland, Oliver Lake, Eddie Henderson, Don Pullen & Thabo Michael Carvin

Style: Jazz-Fission, Spiritual Jazz, Post-Bop

Moods: Exploratory, Forest, Spiritual, Nocturnal, Triumphant, Communal, Energetic, Free, Knotty, Intertwined, Mysterious, Spontaneous

Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Collective Improvisation, Ostinato, Acoustic, Complex, Dense, Progressive, Technical

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Bobby Brown: Live

Style: Mystical Folk, Outsider Songwriter, New Age

Moods: Spiritual, Uplifting, Warm, Beach, Mystical, Nature, Summer

Musical Qualities: Homemade Instruments, Acoustic, Lo-Fi, Live Recording

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Tom Rapp – Stardancer

Style: Folk-Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Acid Folk, Country-influenced

Moods: Autumnal, Moody, Sombre, Bittersweet, Conscious, Eclectic, Melancholy, Political, Mellow, Morning, Mournful, Retro, Psychedelic, Rebellious, Warm

Instrumentation: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Flute, Piano, Organ, Dumbek, Bongos, Drums, Congas, Cello, Vibraphone, Harmonica, Banjo, Mandolin, Wind Chimes, Vocal Harmonies, Bells

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Gilli Smyth – Mother

Style: Cosmic Folk, Psychedelic Rock, Jazz Poetry

Moods: Cosmic, Feminist, Conscious, Poetic, Eccentric, Witchy, Flowing, Eclectic, Mystical, Psychedelic, Storytelling, Messy

Musical Qualities: Spoken Word, Collage, Improvisation

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Bola Sete – Ocean

Style: Guitar Soli, Brazilian Classical Music, Folk

Musical Qualities: Aquatic, Soothing, Meditative, Intricate, Mellow, Searching, Spiritual

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Instrumental, Soft, Technical, Solo

Instrumentation: Nylon String Guitar

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Mandingo Griot Society

Styles: Griot Music, Mande Music, Afro-Jazz

Moods: Uplifting, Earthy, Sunny, Communal, Dance, Joyful, Passionate, Peaceful, Playful, Ritualistic, Spiritual, Warm, Tribal, Utopian

Musical Qualities: Percussive, Polyrhythmic, Acoustic, Melodic, Technical

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The Cecil Taylor Unit

featuring Jimmy Lyons, Sirone, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Ramsey Ameen & Raphé Malik

Style: Free Jazz, Modern Creative

Moods: Ecstatic, Abstract, Cathartic, Kinetic, Energetic, Joyful, Intense, Powerful, Bombastic, Chaotic, Free

Musical Qualities: Dense, Complex, Collective Improvisation, Atonal, Dynamic, Acoustic, Thematic, Instrumental

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Albert Ayler – Revelations

Style: Spiritual Jazz, Free Jazz

Moods: Ecstatic, Uplifting, Anthemic, Passionate, Energetic, Bittersweet, Cathartic, Chaotic, Cosmic, Flowing, Free, Heartfelt, Joyful, Kinetic, Love, Spiritual, Tender

Musical Qualities: Thematic, Collective Improvisation, Acoustic, Extended Technique, Live Performance

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Miles Davis – On the Corner

featuring Billy Hart, Bennie Maupin, Badal Roy, Mtume, Michael Henderson, Jack DeJohnette, Herbie Hancock, Paul Buckmaster, John McLaughlin, Dave Liebman, Don Alias, Carlos Garnett, Colin Walcott, Khalil Balakrishna, Lonnie Liston Smith, Chick Corea, Harold Williams, David Creamer

Style: Abstract Groove, Jazz Fission, Avant-Funk

Moods: Surreal, Urban, Hypnotic, Communal, Groovy, Colorful, Playful, Circular, Futuristic

Musical Qualities: Rhythmic, Repetitive, Dense, Improvisation, Instrumental, Studio-as-an-instrument

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Horace Tapscott with the Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra – Live at I.U.C.C.

Style: Spiritual Jazz, Avant-Garde Big Band

Moods: Triumphant, Communal, Spiritual, Uplifting, Epic, Warm

Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Progressive, Uncommon Time Signatures, Live, Dense, Acoustic, Complex, Rhythmic, Thematic, Collective Improvisation, Orchestral

Instrumentation: Piano, Horns, Drums, Percussion, Upright Bass, Drums, Woodwinds, Cello

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Eddie Henderson – Inside Out

Style: Jazz Fission, Abstract Groove, Cosmic Jazz, Free-Fusion

Moods: Cosmic, Propulsive, Exploratory, Adventurous, Spiritual, abstract groove, communal, cosmic, driving, epic, exploratory, improvisation, instrumental, mysterious, rhythmic, thematic, psychedelic,

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Rhythmic, Ostinato, Dub Fx, Thematic

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J.J. Cale – Okie

Style: Americana, Country Rock, Roots Rock, Singer/Songwriter

Moods: Road Trip, Carefree, Confident, Sunny, Romantic, Summer, Reflective, Warm, Breezy, Rural, Mellow

Musical Qualities: Groovy, Lush, Bluesy, Smooth, Rhythmic

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The Art Ensemble of Chicago – Bap-Tizum

Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Modern Creative, Spiritual Jazz, Free Jazz

Moods: Ritualistic, Passionate, Cathartic, Open, Colorful, Visceral, Warm, Communal, Free, Abstract, Chaotic, Exploratory, Responsive, Tribal, Spiritual

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Percussive, Suite, Live, Dynamic, Polyphonic, Group Vocals

Instrumentation: Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Kelphorn, Bass Drum, Percussion, Saxophones (Alto, Soprano, Sopranino, Tenor, & Bass), Clarinet, Drums, Alto Flute, Conga, Vibraphone, Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Log Drum, Gong, Whistle, Bass Marimba

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Eberhard Weber – Yellow Fields

Style: ECM Jazz, Atmospheric Jazz Fusion

Vibe: Ethereal, Adventurous, Autumnal, Pastoral, Misty, Impressionistic, Complex, Intricate

Musical Qualities: Thematic Improvisation, Reverbed Production, Chorus FX, Melodic, Uncommon Time Signatures

Instrumentation: Upright Bass (w/ heavy chorus), Soprano Saxophone, Keyboards, Drums

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Dewey Redman – Coincide

Style: Spiritual Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz

Moods: Ecstatic, Intense, Energetic, Kinetic, Passionate, Mysterious, Triumphant, Chaotic, Spiritual

Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Dissonant, Complex, Acoustic, Collective Improvisation, Instrumental

Personnel:

Dewey Redman – Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Zither; Sirone – Upright Bass; Eddie Moore – Drums, Tympani, Idiophone (Bowed & Struck); Leroy Jenkins – Violin; Ted Daniel – Trumpet

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Heldon – Stand By

Style: Space Rock, Progressive Electronic, Avant-Prog

Moods: Mechanical, Ominous, Futuristic, Martial, Dystopian, Heavy, Cinematic, Cold, Driving, Spacey

Musical Qualities: Repetitive, Dynamic, Progressive, Pulse, Suite, Rhythmic, Instrumental, Odd Time Signatures, Riffs

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John Abercrombie – Timeless

Personnel: John Abercrombie – Electric & Acoustic Guitars; Jack DeJohnette – Drums; Jan Hammer – Organ, Synthesizer, Piano

Style: Jazz Fusion

Vibe: Epic, Triumphant, Spacey, Bombastic, Pastoral (A2, B2, B3), Energetic

Musical Qualities: Shred, Rhythmic, Instrumental, Groovy, Progressive, Technical, Improvisation, Complex, Dynamic

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John Surman – Upon Reflection

Style: Post-Minimalism, Ambient Jazz, Folk-Jazz, ECM Style

Moods: Meditative, Pastoral, Futuristic, Mysterious, Impressionistic, Hypnotic, Soothing, Searching

Musical Qualities: Electro-Acoustic, Minimalist, Instrumental, Pulse, Solo

Instrumentation: soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, synthesizer

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