1979

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

Carnascialia – Carnascialia

Style: Progressive Chamber-Folk

Vibe: Rustic, Intertwined, Warm, Passionate, Hypnotic, Celebratory, Exploratory, Morning, Eclectic

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Vocal Harmonies, Polyrhythmic, Percussive, Technical

Instrumentation: Accordion, Saxophone, Panpipe, Acoustic Guitar, Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Drums, Mandolin, Violin, Piano

Steve Hillage – Aura

Style: Progressive Pop, Space Rock, Synth-Funk, Canterbury Scene

Vibe: Playful, Spacey, Colorful, Anthemic, Groovy

Musical Qualities: Catchy, Progressive, Polished, Riffs, Rhythmic, Technical, Shred

Holger Czukay – Movies

Style: Collage Pop, Progressive Pop, Art Rock, Krautrock

Vibe: Playful, Surreal, Party, Colorful, Futuristic, Eccentric, Sunny, Groovy, Warm

Musical Qualities: Sampling, Dub, Sound Collage, Rhythmic, Melodic

Tangerine Dream – Force Majeure

Style: Space Rock, Progressive Electronic

Vibe: Confident, Cinematic, Cosmic, Triumphant, Epic, Suspenseful

Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Instrumental, Progressive, Thematic

Wadada Leo Smith – Spirit Catcher

Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Chamber Jazz, Modern Creative Music

Vibe: Intertwined, Open, Patient, Flowing, Noir, Suspenseful, Spiritual, Communal, Abstract

Musical Qualities: Poly-Free Improvisation, Polyphonic, Acoustic, Complex, Instrumental, Dynamic

Instrumentation: Trumpet (muted), Harp, Vibraphone, Upright Bass, Clarinet, Trombone, Wooden Flute, Drums, Saxophone, Flugelhorn

Sam Rivers – Waves

Released  in 1979 on Tomato Records Format: LP, Promo copy Style: Free Jazz Vibe: chaotic, complex, energetic, manic Musical Attributes: Polyphonic, Improvisation, Dense, Instrumental Personnel: Sam Rivers – Saxophone (Soprano and Tenor), Flute, Piano; Dave Holland – Upright Bass, Cello; Joe Daley – Tuba, Baritone Horn; Thurman Baker – Drums, Percussion

This Heat – This Heat

Originally released in 1979 on Piano Records 2016 Modern Classics pressing on Light I’m the Attic Records Format: LP, includes foldout booklet

Collin Walcott/Don Cherry/Nana Vasconcelos – Codona

Spacious, Raga-inflected improvisations from Collin Walcott, Don Cherry, and Brazilian percussionist Nana Vasconcelos. Walcott has studied sitar directly under Ravi Shankar, and tabla under Alla Rakha, while trumpeter and flutist Don Cherry, after playing regularly with Ornette Coleman, has proceeded to travel around the world to study various musical traditions. Their wide influences come together organically to create meditative and exploratory music. A melodic and atmospheric fusion of airy flutes, watery sitar, hypnotic hammered dulcimer arpeggiations, driving webs of percussion, and bassy throat singing.