1980

Tim Berne – 7X

featuring Alex Cline, Nels Cline, Vinny Golia, Roberto Miranda, & John Rapson

Style: Post-Bop, Avant-Garde Jazz

Vibe: Busy, Urban, Knotty, Energetic, Driving, Bombastic, Complex, Powerful

Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Collective Improvisation, Dynamic, Shredding, Technical, Thematic, Rhythmic

Fumio Miyashita – Live on the Boffumundo Show

Style: Kosmische, Progressive Electronic, Space Rock

Vibe: Nocturnal, Hypnotic, Introspective, Exploratory, Cosmic, Stoned, Meditative, Psychedelic

Instrumentation: Synthesizers, Flute, Tapes, Percussion, Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Dulcimer, Voice

Steve Tibbetts – Yr

Style: Progressive Folk, Jazz Fusion, ECM Jazz

Vibes: Mystical, Pastoral, Ethereal, Ancient, Pagan, Earthy, Exploratory, Smooth, Spiritual

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Atmospheric, Complex, Instrumental, Uncommon Time Signatures, Percussive, Polyrhythmic, Progressive, Shred, Technical

Instrumentation: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Congas, Drums, Kalimba, Synthesizer, Tabla, Electric Bass, Bongos

Pererin – Haul ar yr eira

Style: Progressive Folk-Rock, Welsh Folk

Moods: Medieval, Mystical, Sentimental, Epic, Passionate, Earthy, Communal, Intricate

Instrumentation: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Vocal Harmonies, Celtic Harp, Flute, Bodhran, Congas, Bongos, Keyboard, Electric Bass, Recorder, Drums, 12-String Guitar, Mandolin, Mellotron

Arthur Blythe – Illusions

Style: Free Jazz, Abstract Groove, Avant Jazz-Funk

Moods: Funky, Playful, Angular, Driving, Passionate, Intertwined, Eccentric, Triumphant, Uplifting, Knotty, Exploratory, Kinetic, Spiritual, Energetic

Musical Qualities: Thematic, Rhythmic, Uncommon Time Signatures, Progressive, Dense, Collective Improvisation, Technical

Fred Frith – Gravity

Style: Zolo, Experimental Rock, Avant-Prog, Rock in Opposition, European-Folk Influenced

Vibe: Angular, Playful, Eccentric, Surreal, Disorienting

Musical Qualities: Dissonant, Uncommon Time Signatures, Progressive, Rhythmic, Technical

Osamu Kitajima – Masterless Samurai

Styles: Jazz-Funk, Japanese Folk, Prog

Moods: Triumphant, Spring, Smooth, Mysterious, Epic, Adventure

Musical Qualities: Lush, Groovy, Progressive, Uncommon Time Signatures, Orchestral, Improvisation, Instrumental, Technical

Instrumentation: Shakuhachi, Koto, Shamisen, Synthesizers, Biwa, Acoustic Guitar, Strings, Electric Bass, Drums, Percussion, Rhodes, Saxophone, Piano, Ehru, Gong, Organ

Material – Temporary Music

Style: Industrial Jazz-Funk, Abstract Fusion, No Wave

Vibe: Futuristic, Menacing, Cold, Groovy, Mechanical, Hypnotic, Industrial, Dystopian

Musical Qualities: Rhythmic, Repetitive, Dub Production, Instrumental, Percussive, Sampling

Instrumentation: Saxophone, Electric Bass, Drums, Percussion, Electric Guitar, Rhythm Box, Prepared Piano, Clarinet

David Bowie – Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)

Style: Glam Rock, Art Pop, Funk Rock

Vibe: Sleek, Eccentric, Energetic, Anxious, Grandiose, Urban, Dystopian, Theatric, Playful, Passionate, Futuristic, Manic, Sleazy, Surreal

Musical Qualities: Groovy, Polished, Dense, Catchy, Riffs, Anthemic, Rhythmic

Terry Riley – Shri Camel

Style: Ecstatic Minimalism, New Age, Drone

Vibe: Spiritual, Meditative, Heavenly, Cosmic, Hypnotic, Mystical, Longing, Intertwined

Musial Attributes: Just Intonation, Instrumental, Minimalistic, Repetitive, Suite, Improvisation, Drone

Instrumentation: Yamaha YC-45D Organ with multiple digital delay channels for live layering & interactions

Bobb Trimble – Iron Curtain Innocence [Review]

Bobb Trimble’s 1980 debut (originally released on his own label) contains nightmarish folk-pop that fits on the fringe of the loner-psych lineage of Syd Barrett and modern bedroom-psych artists like Alex G or Holy Sons.?

Art Ensemble of Chicago – Full Force

Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Free Jazz
Vibe: Abstract, Communal, Exploratory, Rootsy
Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Poly-Free Improvisation, Dynamic