1980s

Embryo – Zack Glück

Style: Psychedelic Fusion, Abstract Groove, Jazz-Rock, Krautrock, influenced by Funk and Arabic & African folk music

Vibes: Journeying, Surreal, Passionate, Communal, Intertwined, Groovy, Colorful, Playful, Epic, Mysterious, Confident

Embryo – Zack Glück Read More »

Meredith Monk – Dolmen Music

featuring Julius Eastman, Collin Walcott, and others

Style: Abstract Choral Music, Sound Poetry, Modern Chamber Music, Post-Minimalism

Vibes: Mysterious, Ritualistic, Mystical, Somatic, Impressionistic, Nocturnal, Spiritual

Instrumentation: Experimental Vocals, Percussion, Cello, Piano, Vocal Harmonies, Violin

Meredith Monk – Dolmen Music Read More »

Ut – In gut’s House

Style: No Wave, Post-Punk, Experimental Rock, Noise Rock

Vibes: Angsty, Visceral, Hypnotic, Urban, Intertwined, Aggressive, Dystopian, Brooding, Cathartic, Cryptic, Dark, Moody, Ominous, Passionate, Raw

Musical Qualities: Noisy, Dissonant, Vocal Harmonies, Heavy, Lo-Fi

Ut – In gut’s House Read More »

Robert Wyatt – The Animals Film

Style: Progressive Electronic, Film Score, Experimental

Vibes: Dystopian, Hallucinatory, Mysterious, Suspenseful, Gloomy, Hypnotic, Futuristic, Exploratory, Ominous, Cinematic, Haunting, Imaginative

Musical Qualities: Suite, Vignettes, Atmospheric, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Progressive

Instrumentation: Synthesizers, Piano, Experimental Vocals, Drums

Robert Wyatt – The Animals Film Read More »

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

Arthur Russell – Iowa Dream Read More »

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

Tim Berne – 7X Read More »

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

Steve Tibbetts – Yr Read More »

Michael O’Shea

Style: Avant-Folk, Post-Minimalism

Moods: Hypnotic, Mysterious, Meditative, Ritualistic, Nocturnal, Haunting, Ethereal

Musical Qualities: Pulse, Homemade Instrument, Minimalistic, Solo, Improvisation, Repetitive, Electro-Acoustic, Extended Technique, Sparse

Michael O’Shea Read More »

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

Pererin – Haul ar yr eira Read More »

Tim Berne – Fulton Street Maul

featuring Bill Frisell, Alex Cline, Hank Roberts

Style: Jazz Fission, Avant-Garde Jazz

Moods: Gritty, Angular, Apocalyptic, Aggressive, Bombastic, Chaotic, Dark, Disorienting, Driving, Dystopian, Futuristic, Heavy, Intense, Urban

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

Tim Berne – Fulton Street Maul Read More »

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

Arthur Blythe – Illusions Read More »

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

Fred Frith – Gravity Read More »

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

Osamu Kitajima – Masterless Samurai Read More »

African Head Charge – My Life in a Hole in the Ground

LP, On-U Sound Records (1981/2016 RE) Styles: Industrial Dub, African Folk Music, Psychedelic Electronic Moods: Mysterious, Nocturnal, Earthy, Spiritual, Surreal, Tribal, Mechanical, Dark, Hypnotic, Groovy, Exploratory, Psychedelic, Woozy Musical Qualities: Percussive, Polyrhythmic, Studio-as-an-instrument, Repetitive, Loops My Life In A Hole In The Ground by African Head Charge

African Head Charge – My Life in a Hole in the Ground Read More »

Osjan – Roots

Style: Free Folk, Organic Music, Progressive Folk, Psychedelic Chamber Music

Moods: Ritualistic, Ancient, Flowing, Tribal, Earthy, Communal, Hypnotic, Intertwined, Medieval, Mysterious, Mystical, Nocturnal

Musical Qualities: Percussive, Collective Improvisation, ?Acoustic, Suite, Thematic, Progressive, Atmospheric, Repetitive

Osjan – Roots Read More »

A.R. Kane – 69

Style: Dream Pop, Neo-Psychedelia

Vibe: Ethereal, Sensual, Moody, Nocturnal, Messy, Abstract, Dreamy, Eclectic, Hedonistic, Psychedelic, Surreal

Musical Qualities: Washy, Catchy, Raw, Dub FX, Noisy

A.R. Kane – 69 Read More »

Brother Ah and the Sounds of Awareness – Key to Nowhere

Style: Spiritual Jazz, World Fusion, Soul Jazz

Vibe: Devotional, Communal, Flowing, Peaceful, Warm, Mysterious, Longing, Conscious, Uplifting, Cosmic, Airy, Groovy, Lush, Eclectic

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Percussive, Improvisation, Thematic, Instrumental (Except A1, B3)

Instrumentation: Flute, Harp, Electric Guitar, Mbiri, Upright Bass, Drums, Gong, French Horn, Harmonica, Berimbau, Electric Bass, Percussion

Brother Ah and the Sounds of Awareness – Key to Nowhere Read More »

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

Material – Temporary Music Read More »

John Carter – Fields

Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Country-Jazz, Jazz Theater

Vibe: Rural, Historical, Sombre, Resolute, Intertwined, Passionate, Storytelling, Determined, Resolute, Heartfelt, Complex, Theatric, Conceptual

Musical Qualities: Suite, Acoustic, Progressive, Collective Improvisation, Polyphonic, Dynamic, Technical

John Carter – Fields Read More »

Peter Kardas – I Saw You

Style: Inner Space Music, Ambient Pop, Tape Music, Minimal Wave

Vibe: Ethereal, Suspenseful, Introspective, Soothing, Nocturnal, Hypnotic, Meditative, Cinematic, Dreamy, Ominous (A2, B2, B3)

Musical Qualities: Pulse, Home Recording, Minimalistic, Atmospheric, Vignettes

Instrumentation: Keyboards, Drum Machine, Vocals, Tape Loops, Electric Guitar, Marimba, Echo

Peter Kardas – I Saw You Read More »

The Same – The Same

LP, Originally released in 1981 by Unlikely Records Freedom to Spend Reissue (2021) Style: Ambient Pop, Experimental Home Recording, Minimal Wave Vibe/Mood: Aquatic, Nocturnal, Hypnotic, Impressionistic, Moody, Intertwined, Dreamy, Headphone album Musical Qualities: Loops, Home Recording, Atmospheric, Percussive, Polyphonic, Pulse, Electro-Acoustic Instrumentation: electric guitar, casio vl-tone, vocals, marimba, electric bass, acoustic guitar, digital organ

The Same – The Same Read More »

King Crimson – Beat

Style: Art Rock, Progressive Pop

Vibe: Anxious, Eccentric, Romantic, Cerebral, Complex, Catchy, Bombastic, Dramatic, Surreal, Slick, Intertwined

Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Uncommon Time Signatures, Polished, Progressive, Technical, Rhythmic

King Crimson – Beat Read More »

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

Terry Riley – Shri Camel Read More »

Robert Wyatt – Old Rottenhat

Style: Experimental Singer-Songwriter, Art Pop, Canterbury Scene, Jazz-Rock

Vibe: Political (Anti-Capitalist, Anti-Imperialist), Satirical, Conscious, Melancholy, Hypnotic

Musical Attributes/Instrumentation: Sparse, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Layered Vocals, Digital Keyboards, Drum Machines, Percussion, Synthesizers, Piano

Robert Wyatt – Old Rottenhat Read More »

Anthony Davis – Epist?m?

Style: Poly-Free Improvisation, Modern Classical, Avant-Garde Big Band

Vibe: Complex, Hypnotic, Intense, Suspenseful, Cerebral

Musical Attributes: Polyrhythmic, Polyphonic, Odd Time Signatures, Acoustic, Poly-Free Improvisation, Repetitive

Instrumentation: Orchestral, Mallet Percussion (Marimba, Vibraphone, etc) Violin, Cello, Piano, Trombone, Drums, Flute, Bass Clarinet

Anthony Davis – Epist?m? Read More »