Tashi Dorji, Thom Nguyen, Efrim Menuck
Style: Free-Rock, Noise Rock, Free Improvisation
Vibes: Rebellious, Cathartic, Free, Hypnotic, Passionate, Angsty, Political, Dystopian, Liberation, Intense, Driving
Manas & E.M.M. – At House Unamerican Read More »
Style: Avant-Garde Chamber Jazz
Vibes: Epic, Intense, Cathartic, Passionate, Driving, Energetic, Intertwined, Spiritual, Transcendent, Ominous, Triumphant, Powerful, Fiery, Cerebral
fLuXkit Vancouver (it’s suite but sacred) Read More »
wiwth Muhammad Ali, Mary Maria, Bil Folwell, Stafford James, Henry Vespine, Bobby Few
Styles: Free Jazz, Spiritual Jazz, Free Blues
Vibes: Apocalyptic, Cathartic, Raw, Spiritual, Intertwined, Passionate, Communal, Free, Eclectic, Nature, Poetic
Albert Ayler – The Last Album Read More »
Sonny Sharrock, Peter Brötzmann, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Bill Laswell
Style: Free Jazz, Noise Rock, Jazz Fission
Vibes: Aggressive, Dystopian, Chaotic, Bombastic, Urban, Powerful, Deconstructed, Angular, Cold, Dark, Intense
Last Exit – Last Exit Read More »
with Dave Holland & Barry Altschul
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Post-Bop
Vibes: Adventure, Searching, Knotty, Intense, Mysterious, Abstract, Complex, Energetic, Impressionistic
Musical Qualities: Virtuosic, Collective Improvisation, Polyphonic, Acoustic, Instrumental, Dissonant, Thematic, Technical
Chick Corea – The Song of Singing Read More »
Styles: Free Improvisation, Free Jazz
Vibes: Kinetic, Ritualistic, Free, Ecstatic, Earthy, Passionate, Forest, Tribal, Spiritual, Adventure, Intense, Intertwined, Responsive
Musical Qualities: Polyrhythmic, Percussive, Improvisation, Acoustic, Atonal, Complex, Dissonant, Extended Technique, Home Recording, Instrumental, Polyphonic
Milford Graves with Arthur Doyle & Hugh Glover – Children of the Forest Read More »
featuring Pauline Lay, Patrick Shiroishi, Nick Levine
Style: Ecstatic Black Metal, Blackgaze
Vibe: Triumphant, Cathartic, Passionate, Uplifting, Intense, Spiritual, Oceanic, Epic, Ecstatic, Nature, Raw, Uplifting
Agriculture – Agriculture Read More »
Style: Irish Folk, Dark Folk, Avant-Folk, Acoustic Drone
Vibe: Haunting, Sombre, Rootsy, Storytelling, Ominous, Melancholy, Dark, Death, Intense, Ritualistic, Spiritual
Lankum – False Lankum Read More »
Style: Free Jazz, EAI, Noise
Vibe: Cathartic, Visceral, Meditative, Powerful, Intense, Mournful, History, Personal, Political
Musical Qualities: Solo, Noisy, Loops, Distorted, Electro-Acoustic, Improvisation
Instrumentation: Tenor Saxophone, Effects, Voice
Patrick Shiroishi – Descension Read More »
Style: Progressive Sludge Metal
Moods: Aggressive, Epic, Fantasy, Intense, Heavy, Complex, Forest, Energetic, Psychedelic, Driving, Knotty
Musical Qualities: Riffs, Dense, Progressive, Uncommon Time Signatures, Technical, Conceptual
Mastodon – Blood Mountain Read More »
Anguish is a collaboration between German improvisers Mats Gustafsson & Andres Werliin of the Fire! Orchestra, Hans Joachim Irmler of FaUst, and Will Brooks & Mike Mare of industrial hip-hop legends Dälek.
Style: Industrial Hip-Hop, Dark Jazz, Post-Industrial, Experimental
Moods: Dystopian, Aggressive, Urban, Poetic, Political, Revolutionary, Cerebral, Existential, Sombre, Dark, Depressive, Cold, Mechanical, Heavy, Apocalyptic, Moody, Brooding, Conscious, Abstract, Cryptic, Industrial, Nocturnal, Ominous, Raw, Philosophical
Musical Qualities: Beats, Dissonant, Noisy, Improvisation, Rhythmic, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Instrumentation: Rapping, Sampler, Tenor Saxophone, Synthesizers, Electric Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Electronics, Effect Processing, Vocal Processing
Style: Free Improvisation, Free Jazz
Moods: Passionate, Kinetic, Complex, Ecstatic, Dramatic, Energetic, Angular, Exploratory, Meditative, Focused
Musical Qualities: Solo Improvisation, Dense, Acoustic, Progressive, Dynamic, Percussive, Atonal, Active Listening, Instrumental, Technical, Rhythmic, Live
Cecil Taylor – Indent Read More »
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 »
Style: Free Folk, Appalachian Raga, Piedmont Blues
Feelings: Searching, Tangled, Spiritual, Sombre, Intense, Thorny, Introspective, Cathartic, Meditative, Nature, Ominous, Mysterious, Focused, Complex, Hallucinogenic, Forest, Epic, Visceral, Jagged
Musical Qualities: Raga, Acoustic, Polyphonic, Modal, Droney, Technical, Dissonance
Jack Rose – Raag Manifestos Read More »
Featured Musicians: Joe Rainey, jaimie branch, Laraaji, Thor Harris, Ryan Olsen, Ikue Mori
Style: Algonquian & Pocasset Powwow Music, Neo-Psychedelia
Moods: Ceremonial, Communal, Cathartic, Colorful, Spiritual, Intense, Tribal, Ritualistic
Musical Qualities: Percussive, Chants, Collage, Electro-Acoustic, Rhythmic
Style: Post-Industrial Powwow Music, Experimental Electronic
Mood: Communal, Ritualistic, Cathartic, Spiritual, Passionate, Mournful, Epic
Musical Qualities: Chants, Manipulated Vocals, Distorted, Electroacoustic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Percussive, Noisy
Joe Rainey – Niineta Read More »
Styles: Progressive Pop, Post-Industrial Chamber Music, IDM, Gabber, Deconstructed Club
Moods: Earthy, Knotty, Sensual, Futuristic, Surreal, Romantic, Mystical, Passionate, Messy, Hallucinogenic, Intense, Forest, Eccentric, Epic, Tribal
Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Dense, Dynamic, Complex, Glitchy, Progressive, Uncommon Time Signatures, Electro-Acoustic
Instrumentation: Digital Programming, Woodwinds (Bass Clarinet, Oboe, Clarinet), Strings, Choral Vocals
Style: Cosmic Jazz, Free Space Music
Feelings: Exploratory, Cosmic, Forest, Mysterious, Abstract, Intense, Energetic, Spacey, Surreal, Warm
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Acoustic, Polyphonic, Dense, Live Performance, Dissonant, Complex, Dynamic
Sun Ra – Nothing Is… Read More »
Style: Free Jazz, Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Apocalyptic, Intense, Transcendent, Epic, Cosmic, Bombastic, Chaotic, Complex, Exploratory, Energetic, Serpentine, Powerful, Passionate, Triumphant, Spiritual, Heavy
Musical Qualities: Dense, Dissonant, Polyphonic, Collective Improvisation, Acoustic, Live Recording, Extended Technique, Progressive, Technical
John Coltrane & Pharoah Sanders – Live in Seattle Read More »
LP, Constellation (2008) Style: Experimental Songwriter, Punk Blues, Chamber Punk, Noise Rock, Vibe: Visceral, Brooding, Angsty, Cathartic, Ominous, Sleazy, Dark, Dystopian, Apocalyptic, Intense, Deconstructed, Disturbing, Rebellious, Raw Musical Qualities: Noisy, Dynamic, Heavy, Dissonant, Spoken Word, Distorted Vocals
Evangelista – Hello, Voyager Read More »
Style: Free Improvisation, Noise Rock
Vibe: Cathartic, Hypnotic, Visceral, Ferocious, Aggressive, Spiritual, Intense
Other Qualities: Noisy, Collective Improvisation, Dense, Driving, Loose, Heavy
Instrumentation: Japan Banjo, Drums, Electric Bass
Flower / Corsano / Bejnowski – The Count Visits Read More »
Style: Spiritual Jazz, Free Jazz
Vibe: Transcendent, Intense, Passionate, Cosmic, Visceral, Powerful, Complex, Bombastic, Energetic, Chaotic
Musical Qualities: Dense, Instrumental, Acoustic, Collective Improvisation, Polyphonic, Free, Technical, Virtuosic
John Coltrane – Concert in Japan Read More »
Style: Future Jazz, Free Jazz Theater, Jazz Poetry
Vibe: cathartic, cerebral, dystopian, energetic, futuristic, bombastic, intense, noisy, passionate, poetic, political, powerful, rebellious, urban, heavy, AfroFuturist
Musical Attributes: Complex, Conceptual, Dense, Dissonant, Spoken Word, Theatric, Progressive, Polyphonic, Improvisation
Moor Mother – Circuit City Read More »
Style: Spiritual Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz
Vibe: Cathartic, Transcendent, Triumphant, Passionate, Intense, Chaotic, Powerful, Adventure, Searching, Spiritual
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Dense, Dynamic, Complex, Acoustic, Thematic, Dissonant, Technical
John Coltrane – Sun Ship Read More »
Cecil Taylor – Piano; Jimmy Lyons – Alto Sax; Sam Rivers – Tenor & Soprano Sax; Andrew Cyrille – Drums
Style: Free Jazz
Vibe: Transcendent, Dramatic, Kinetic, Intense, Passionate, Driving, Knotty, Complex, Forceful, Cathartic
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Dense, Atonal, Polyphonic, Polyrhythmic, Free Swing, Dynamic, Acoustic, Live, Fast
The Great Concert of Cecil Taylor Read More »
Style: Progressive Folk, Avant-Folk
Vibe: Brooding, Visceral, Witchy, Sombre, Forest, Intense, Driving, Passionate, Rebellious
Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Progressive, Experimental Vocals
Instrumentation: Organ, Electric Guitar, Percussion, Vocals
Catherine Ribeiro + Alpes – Ame debout Read More »
Style: Free Improvisation, Noise Rock, Free Rock
Vibe: Cathartic, Intense, Suspenseful, Hallucinogenic, Ritualistic, Heavy, Chaotic, Hypnotic, Primal, Energetic
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Noisy, Dynamic, Atonal, Dissonant, Fuzzy, Repetition
Style: Avant-Folk, Tribal Drone-Doom, Southeast Asian Folk Music
Vibe: Ceremonial, Apocalyptic, Aggressive, Hypnotic, Murky, Shadowy, Dark, Tribal
Musical Qualities: Percussive, Acoustic, Fuzzy, Heavy, Loops, Noisy, Repetitive, Droney, Extended Technique, Electroacoustic
Instrumentation: Homemade Bamboo Instruments, Electroacoustic Treatments, Percussion, Throat Singing, Chants
Style: Neoclassical Darkwave, Symphonic Rock, Singer-Songwriter
Moods/Vibe: Cathartic, Brooding, Sombre, Mystical, Epic, Ominous, Motorik, Spiritual, Cinematic, Powerful, Mourning, Funereal
Musical Qualities: Orchestral, Driving, Lush, Dense
Circuit Des Yeux – -io Read More »
Style: Afro-Caribbean Jazz, Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Protest, Political, Intense, Propulsive, Conscious, Energetic, Groovy, Hypnotic, Passionate, Rebellious, Spiritual, Powerful, Tropical, Conceptual
Musical Qualities: Dense, Polyphonic, Rhythmic, Improvisation, Spoken Word, Percussive
Sons of Kemet – Your Queen Is a Reptile Read More »
Style: Experimental Rock, Post Rock
Vibe: Cathartic, Visceral, Spiritual, Brooding, Shadowy, Apocalyptic, Ritualistic, Suspenseful, Climactic, Dark, Powerful, Heavy, Cryptic, Philosophical, Surreal, Epic, Hypnotic, Sombre, Meditative, Mysterious, Monolithic, Longing, Existential, Disorienting
Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Repetitive, Dense, Crescendo, Rhythmic, Droney
Swans – The Glowing Man Read More »
Style: Experimental Electronic, Post-Industrial
Vibe/Mood: Ominous, Disorienting, Mechanical, Brooding, Chaotic, Colorful, Anti-Capitalist, Feminist, Complex, Cryptic, Dance, Futuristic, Surreal, Messy
Musical Qualities: Manipulated Vocals, Dissonant, Polyrhythmic, Dense, Percussive, Polyphonic, Noisy, Repetitive
The Kni?e – Shaking the Habitual Read More »
Style: Drone, Free Improvisation, Ambient
Vibe: Suspenseful, Haunting, Murky, Mysterious, Meditative, Responsive, Noir
Musical Qualities: Lo-Fi, Improvisation, Noisy, Atmospheric, Heavy Reverb
Loren Mazzacane Conners & Daniel Carter – The Departing of a Dream Volume VII Read More »
Style: Avant-Garde Big Band, Arabic/Egyptian Folk, Psychedelic Jazz
Vibe: Intense, Sombre, Cathartic, Psychedelic, Complex, Ritualistic, Communal
Musical Qualities: Dense, Progressive, Dissonant, Acoustic, Percussive
Instrumentation: Santur, Upright Bass, Piano, Saxophones, Vocals, Percussion, Drums, Clarinet, Flute, Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello), Keyboards, Synthesizer, lap Steel Guitar, Electronics, Harp
Land of Kush – Sand Enigma Read More »
Style: Progressive Post-Hardcore??
Vibe: Angsty, Existential, Cryptic, Anxious, Surreal, Epic, Intense, Intricate
??Musical Attributes: Odd Time Signatures, Progressive, Technical, Polished
Circa Survive – On Letting Go Read More »
Style: Spiritual Jazz, Free Jazz
Vibe: Ritualistic, Spiritual, Triumphant, Uplifting, Warm, Cathartic, Communal, Cosmic, Energetic, Intense, Passionate
Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Acoustic, Live, Polyphonic, Percussive, Multiple Drummers
Pharoah Sanders – Live at the East Read More »
Style: South African Jazz, Spiritual Jazz, Progressive Jazz
Vibe: Conscious, Intense, Ritualistic, Cathartic
Lyrical Themes: History, Politics, Death, Spirituality
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Complex, Spoken Word, Technical
Shabaka & the Ancestors – We Are Sent Here by History Read More »
Format: LPx3
Style: Post-Bop, Avant-Garde Jazz
Vibe: Bombastic, Passionate, Energetic, Intense, Manic, Playful
Musical Attributes: Complex, Dynamic, Live, Improvisation, Acoustic, Instrumental, Polyphonic, Progressive, Rhythmic
Charles Mingus – The Great Concert of Charles Mingus Read More »
Style: Free Jazz, Solo Piano, Free Improvisation
Vibe: Abstract, Complex, Energetic, Intense, Expressive, Exploratory
Musical Attributes: Piano, Solo, Live, Improvisation, Acoustic, Suite, Percussive, Dynamic
Cecil Taylor – Silent Tongues Read More »
Style: Progressive Rock, Psych, Experimental Rock
Vibe: Bombastic, Mystical, Cerebral, Chaotic, Cryptic, Desert, Energetic, Epic, Hallucinogenic, intense, manic, Psychedelic, Complex
Musical Attributes: Dense, Odd Time Signatures, Progressive Structures, Polyrhythmic, Riffs, Technical
The Mars Volta – The Bedlam in Goliath Read More »
Style: Progressive Rock, Experimental Rock
Vibe: Epic, Psychedelic, Chaotic, Bombastic, Cerebral, Complex, Cryptic, Energetic, Ominous, Intense
Musical Attributes: Dense, Polyphonic, Technical, Odd Time Signatures, Headphone Album, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Progressive
The Mars Volta – Amputechture Read More »
Style: Spiritual Jazz, Free Jazz
Vibe: Communal, Earthy, Energetic, Hypnotic, Intense, Loose, Mystical, Passionate, Spiritual, Tribal, Uplifting, Warm, Dance
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Complex, Collective Improvisation, Percussive, Dense, Thematic, Suite
Pharoah Sanders – Village of the Pharoahs Read More »
Released in 2017 on Drag City Records Format: LP Review “The world wants an oath but all you can say is: ‘I promise to take up space. I can only promise to take up space” In a society that places such high expectations on individuals to shrink themselves in order to fit into the predominating
Circuit Des Yeux – Reaching for Indigo [Review] Read More »
Irreversible Entanglements follows up the scathing fire music of their debut with regenerative and ritualistic earth music. “Who Sent You?”, is a record that looks not only to the violent “rhythms of oppression”, past and present, that need to be burnt to the ground, but to a future built from the ashes of these unjust systems. Irreversible Entanglements are simply one of the most powerful bands in existence, building their symbiotic improvisations with fervent passion, hypnotic rhythm, and urgent truths.
Irreversible Entanglements – Who Sent You? Read More »
Originally released in 1972 on Impulse! Records Superior Viaduct reissue (2018) Format: LP
Alice Coltrane – Lord of Lords Read More »
Originally released on CD in 2003 on Tzadik Records First vinyl pressing from Ice Level Music (2017) Format: LPx2
Kayo Dot – Choirs of the Eye Read More »
Released in 2014 on Svart Records Recorded 2011 Format: LP
Sonny Simmons & Moksha Samnyasin – Nomadic Read More »
Released in 2011 on Constellation Records Format: 10″x2
Matana Roberts – Coin Coin Chapter 1: Gens de Couleur Libres Read More »
Style: Free Improvisation
Influences: Spiritual Jazz, Noise, Free Jazz
Vibe: Spiritual, Ritualistic, Cathartic, Abstract
Recommended for fans of Albert Ayler, Oren Ambarchi, Stephen O’Malley
Black Spirituals – Of Deconstruction Read More »
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 »
Released in 2019 Recorded in the Netherlands on November 11, 2018 Format: LP, DVD
Circuit Des Yeux – Reaching For Indigo: Gaia Infinitus Read More »
Released in 1983 on Columbia Records Format: LP
James Blood Ulmer – Odyssey Read More »
Released in 2019 on Don Giovanni Records Format: LP, grey vinyl
Moor Mother – Analog Fluids of Sonic Black Holes Read More »
Released in 2019 on Constellation Records Format: LP
Matana Roberts – Coin Coin Chapter Four: Memphis Read More »
Originally released in 2004 on Relapse Records 2014 pressing on Oxblood vinyl Format: LP
Mastodon – Leviathan Read More »
Released in 2016 on Don Giovanni Records Format: LP
Moor Mother – Fetish Bones Read More »
Released in 1967 on Impulse! Records Format: LP
Albert Ayler – In Greenwich Village Read More »
Released in 1968 on JCOA Records Format: LPx2, includes 12″ booklet
Michael Mantler – The Jazz Composer’s Orchestra Read More »
Released in 2006 on Southern Lord Format: LPx3 Limited to 1500 on Yellow Opaque vinyl
Sunn O))) & Boris – Altar Read More »
Released in 1970 on Straight Records Format: LP
Tim Buckley – Starsailor Read More »
Released in 1966 on Impulse Records Original Pressing
John Coltrane – Meditations Read More »
Originally Released in 2007 on Ipecac Vinyl released in 2008 on Black Diamond Format: LPx2
Hella – There’s No 666 in Outer Space 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 »
A psychedelic, transcendent fusion of hip-hop, jazz, prog, and IDM meant to simulate the cosmic experience of death. Featuring Kendrick Lamar, Thundercat, Herbie Hancock, Kamasi Washington, Snoop Dogg, and others..,
Flying Lotus – You’re Dead Read More »
A couple of months before his death in 1967, John Coltrane went into the studio with drummer Rashied Ali to record some of the most free recordings he’s ever made, the freest of free jazz. Perhaps this freeness is due to the absence of other tonal instruments, leaving Coltrane untethered to harmony and 100% free to play whatever raw, unhindered creativity flows through him.
John Coltrane – Interstellar Space [Review] Read More »
