Cello

David Sylvian – Manafon

Marcio Mattos, Sachiko M, Tetuzi Akiyama

Style: EAI, Experimental Songwriter, Reductionism

Vibes: Sombre, Forest, Depressive, Nocturnal, Introspective, Apathetic, Poetic, Open, Death, Visceral, Mysterious, Anguish, Bleak, Alienation

Elijah McLaughlin Ensemble – III

Style: American Primitivism, Post-Minimalism, Ambient Americana

Vibes: Contemplative, Nature, Pastoral, Sombre, Focused, Hypnotic, Rootsy, Aquatic, Meditative

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

Fern Knight – Castings

Style: Acid Folk, Progressive Folk-Rock

Vibes: Occult, Forest, Medieval, Epic, Nocturnal, Mystical, Brooding, Witchy

Musical Qualities: Riffs, Progressive, Fuzzy, Lyrical

Instrumentation: Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Cello, Harp, Violin, Drums, Electric Bass

Dorothy Carter – Waillee, Waillee

Style: Folk (Mystical, Loner, Free, Acid), Progressive Singer/Songwriter

Vibes: Meditative, Nature, Ethereal, Pastoral, Autumnal, Surreal, Ritualistic, Medieval, Loner, Nocturnal, Hypnotic

Instrumentation: Hammered Dulcimer, Flute, Harp, Psaltery, Bow Chime, Log Drum, Piano, Mandola, Tamboura, Bells, Shakers, Steel Cello

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

Alabaster DePlume – Come With Fierce Grace

Style: Spiritual Jazz, Progressive Jazz

Vibe: Polyvocal, Communal, Uplifting, Warm, Triumphant, Flowing, Driving, Groovy, Raw, Hypnotic, Reflective, Colorful, Spiritual, Rebellious, Compassionate

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Thematic, Polyphonic, Dub, Suite, Loose, Rhythmic, Percussive, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Analogue Recording

Instrumentation: Tenor Sax, Electric Guitar, Synthesizers, Electric Bass, Multiple Drummers, Tabla, Upright Bass, Cello, Group Vocals, Piano, Percussion

Arthur Russell – Pictures of Bunny Rabbit

Style: Ambient Pop, Electro-Acoustic, Post-Minimalism, Avant-Folk

Vibe: Introspective, Deconstructed, Intimate, Surreal, Exploratory, Mysterious, Aquatic, Ethereal, Hypnotic, Mystical, Warm

Instrumentation: Vocals, Cello, Keyboards, Guitar, Harmonica, Echoes

Irreversible Entanglements – Protect Your light

Style: Liberation Music, Jazz Poetry, Spiritual Jazz

Vibes: Uplifting, Polyvocal, Intertwined, Triumphant, Meditative, Driving, Spiritual, Rebellious, Political, Warm, Conscious, Poetic, Liberation

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Polyrhythmic, Acoustic, Polyphonic, Progressive, Thematic, Ostinato

The Tower Recordings – Folk Scene

Style: Free Folk, Lo-Fi Psych, Mystical Folk

Vibe: Mysterious, Mystical, Communal, Murkey, Nocturnal, Ritualistic, Spacey, Eclectic, Hallucinogenic, Haunting

Musical Qualities: Vignettes, Lo-Fi, Acoustic, Droney, Collage, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Electro-Acoustic

Califone – Villagers

Style: Weird Americana, Folk-Rock, Singer/Songwriter

Vibes: Cryptic, Autumnal, Warm, Rural, Sardonic, Observational, Apathetic, Mellow, Peaceful, Playful. Twangy

Musical Qualities: Lush, Loops, Electro-Acoustic, Percussive, Melodic, Lyrical, Studio-as-an-Instrument

Anahita – Tourmaline

Fursaxa & Helena Espvall

Style: Free Folk, Drone

Vibe: Ritualistic, Medieval, Nocturnal, Forest, Exploratory, Mysterious, Mystical, Religious, Occult, Cosmic, Witchy

Musical Qualities: Droney, Improvisation, Acoustic, Loops, Slow, Choral

Anahita – Arcana en Cantos

Fursaxa & Helena Espvall

Style: Free-Folk, Drone

Vibe: Ritualistic, Eerie, Nocturnal, Haunting, Murky, Mysterious, Witchy, Forest, Psychedelic, Primordial, Occult

Instrumentation: Organ, Cello, Experimental Vocals, Harmonium

Joanna Newsom – Divers

“But stand brave, life-liver, bleeding out your days in the river of time.
Stand brave: time moves both ways, in the nullifying, defeating, negating, repeating joy of life.
The moment of your greatest joy sustains: not axe nor hammer, tumor, tremor, can take it away, and it remains.
And it pains me to say, I was wrong. Love is not a symptom of time. Time is just a symptom of love”

Ravi Shankar – Chants of India

Produced by George Harrison

Style: Vedic Chants, Hindustani Classical Music

Vibe: Devotional, Meditative, Nocturnal, Spiritual, Peaceful, Ritualistic, Reflective, Soothing, Ecstatic, Hypnotic, Intricate, Psychedelic

Instrumentation: Group Vocals, Sitar, Autoharp, Strings (Viola, Violin, Cello), Flute, Tabla, Veena, Mridangam, Morsing, Tamboura, Harp, Santoor, Acoustic Guitar, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone

Norman Blake – The Fields of November

Style: Progressive Bluegrass, Folk

Moods: Autumnal, Rural, Rootsy, Twangy, Warm, Melancholy

Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Cello, Fiddle, Dobro, Mandolin

Träden

Style: Trance-Rock, Psych, Jam Band

Vibes: Pastoral, Cinematic, Communal, Rural, Driving, Earthy, Hypnotic, Open, Peaceful, Psychedelic, Contemplative

Musical Qualities: Slow, Dynamic, Instrumental, Repetitive, Jams, Riffs, Fuzzy, Atmospheric

Rustin Man – Drift Code

Style: Singer/Songwriter, Art Pop, Chamber-Jazz

Vibes: Autumnal, Sombre, Introspective, Vaudeville, Lush, Sentimental, Theatric, Surreal, Storytelling, Haunting

Black Forest / Black Sea – Portmanteau

Style: Free Folk, Electroacoustic Drone, Ritual Psych

Moods: Witchy, Meditative, Visceral, Nocturnal, Ritualistic, Occult

Musical Qualities: Dhrupad, Noisy, Acoustic, Improvisation, Dissonant

Instrumentation: Cello, Guitar, Violin, Tamboura, Electronics, Strumstick, Maestro Rhythm King, Vocals, Omnichord

Arthur Blythe – Blythe Spirit

featuring Abdul Wadud, Fred Hopkins, Amina Claudine Myers, Steve McCall

Style: Avant-Garde Jazz

Moods: Colorful, Triumphant, Energetic, Spiritual,

Instrumentation: Alto Saxophone, Tuba, Cello, Drums, Upright Bass, Organ, Electric Guitar, Piano

Edith Frost – Telescopic

Styles: Dream-Country, Singer/Songwriter, Neo-Psychedelia

Moods: Longing, Conversational, Heartfelt, Bittersweet, Colorful, Lonely, Warm, Rural, Dreamy, Introspective, Melancholy, Psychedelic

Musical Qualities: Lush, Vocal Harmonies, Lyrical

Espers

Style: Wyrd Folk, Progressive Folk, Acid Folk

Moods: Forest, Sombre, Enchanting, Gloomy, Mystical, Medieval, sombre, Melancholy, Mellow, Mysterious

Spires that in the Sunset Rise – Four Winds the Walker

Style: Avant-Folk, Acid Folk, Free Folk

Moods: Cryptic, Thorny, Communal, Witchy, Anxious, Haunting, Ominous, Nocturnal, Eerie, Mystical, Psychedelic, Surreal, Shadow, Dark

Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Cello, Vocal Harmonies, Mbira, Zither, Percussion, Slide Guitar, Drums, Electric Guitar, Organ, Xylophone, Autoharp, Harmonium, Spike Fiddle, Thumb Piano, Lap Steel

Friends of the Road – Now You Know Something Right Here and I’ll Tell You For a Fact

This collective of experimental Seattle musicians perform back-porch seances on old-time jigs & folk tunes, half of which can be found in Alan Lomax’s Folk Songs of North America book. The ritualistic, droning dissonance of cello, banjo, harmonium, & fiddle recall Pelt, Henry Flynt, & Tongue Depressor. Despite an often haunting atmosphere, folksiness and camaraderie pervade the tape in the form of warm lo-fi sing-a-longs and friendly, candid banter between tracks. The original social function of the music lives eternally, a nonlinear communication with fellow travelers from the past, present, & future.

Julia Holter – Loud City Song

Styles: Art Pop, Progressive Songwriter, Ambient Pop, Chamber-Jazz (Influenced)

Moods: Nocturnal, Surreal, Elegant, Ethereal, Observational, Flowing, Alienation, Cryptic, Disaffected, Lonely, Longing, Melancholy, Mysterious, Poetic, Romantic, Winter

Musical Qualities: Lush, Orchestral, Progressive, Vocal Harmonies, Lyrical, Dynamic, Complex, Studio-as-an-Instrument

Instrumentation: Keyboards, Piano, Upright Bass, Violin, Cello, Drums, Saxophone, Trombone, Percussion, Group Vocals

Mako Sica – Ronda

Style: Psychedelic Jazz, Free-Psych, Post-Rock

Moods: Ritualistic, Mysterious, Serpentine, Nocturnal, Exploratory, Desert, Moody, Spiritual, Psychedelic

Musical Qualities: Percussive, Thematic, Collective Improvisation, Atmospheric, Rhythmic

Instrumentation: Drums, Tabla, Electric Piano, Chants, Trumpet, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Electric Bass, Harmonica, Gong, Cello, Upright Bass, Flute, Organ, Piano, Bells, Teponaztli, Tambourine, Viola

Edith Frost – Wonder Wonder

Style: Singer/Songwriter, Alt-Country, Slowcore

Moods: Reflective, Sentimental, Rural, Lonely, Melancholy, Twangy, Romantic, Longing, Contemplative, Depressive, Heartfelt, Introspective, Love, Rootsy

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

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

Jim White – Waffles, Triangles & Jesus

Style: Americana, Singer/Songwriter, Alt-Country

Moods: Drifter, Surreal, Poetic, Twangy, Colorful, Eccentric, Sunny, Uplifting, Playful, Observational, Contemplative, Warm, Rural, Sentimental, Storytelling

Spires that in the Sunset Rise

Style: Free Folk, Ritual-Psych

Moods: Eerie, Forest, Nocturnal, Ritualistic, Witchy, Disturbing, Haunting, Communal, Pagan, Cryptic, Anxious, Surreal, Dark, Chaotic, Mysterious

Musical Qualities: Dissonant, Acoustic, Improvisation, Lo-Fi

Instrumentation: Cello, Violin, Acoustic Guitar, Autoharp, Melodica, Harmonium, Little Harp, Percussion, Mbira, Piano

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

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

Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – Master and Everyone

Style: Singer/Songwriter, Folk

Moods: Tender, Intimate, Bittersweet, Autumnal, Reflective, Lonely, Poetic, Breakup, Conversational, Lethargic, Loner, Longing, Love, Melancholy, Mellow, Brooding, Pastoral

Musical Qualities: Soft, Sparse, Lyrical, Vocal Harmonies, Acoustic

Helena Espvall & Masaki Batoh – Overloaded Ark

Style: Progressive Folk, Acid Folk, Psychedelic Chamber Music

Moods: Mysterious, Exploratory, Medieval, Mystical, Ancient, Brooding, Forest, Haunting, Serpentine, Ritualistic, Cinematic

Musical Qualities: Complex, Dense, Acoustic, Progressive, Percussive, Noisy, Improvisation

Instrumentation: Cello, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Organ, Sho, Banjo, Renaissance Harp, Rauschpfeife, Crumhorn, Cornamuse, Hurdy Gurdy, Electronics, Darbuka, Riq, Frame Drum, Percussion, Recorder, Piano, Vocal Harmonies

Norman Blake – Old and New

Style: Progressive Bluegrass, Folk, Americana

Moods: Rural, Rootsy, Sunny, Bittersweet, Energetic, Joyful, Storytelling, Summer, Warm

Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle, Cello, Banjo, Dobro

Joakim Skogsberg – Jola rota

Style: Ritual Psych, Nordic Folk, Free Folk

Feelings: Pantheistic, Ceremonial, Forest, Hypnotic, Exploratory, Earthy, Mystical, Mysterious, Rootsy, Surreal, Tribal, Spiritual

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Chants, Percussive, Dub Fx, Repetitive

The Antlers – Familiars

Style: Chamber Pop, Ambient Pop

Moods: Sentimental, Bittersweet, Mellow, Reflective, Ethereal, Flowing, Dreamy, Passionate, Sad

Musical Qualities: Soft, Slow, Lush, Lyrical, Polished, Dynamic

Instrumentation: Synthesizers, Electric Guitar, Drums, Trumpet, Upright Bass, Fender Rhodes, Organ, Cello, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone

Jaköb Battick & Tongue Depressor – Raise the Dead

Style: Ritual Folk, Experimental Songwriter

Mood: Nocturnal, Ritualistic, Shadowy, Occult, Dark, Alchemical, Mystical, Sombre, Funereal

Musical Qualities: Slow, Microtonal, Droney, Lyrical, Dissonant, Acoustic

Makaya McCraven – In These Times

Featured Musicians: Jeff Parker, Junius Paul, Brandee Younger, Joel Ross, Marta Sofia Honer, etc

Styles: Orchestral Beat Music, Jazz Fusion, Spiritual Jazz

Mood: Spring, Cinematic, Warm, Uplifting, Spiritual, Groovy, Peaceful

Musical Qualities: Lush, Suite, Sampling, Rhythmic, Orchestral, Instrumental, Beats, Studio-as-an-Instrument

Old Fire – Voids

features vocals from Bill Callahan, Emily Cross (Loma), Adam Torres, & Julia Holter

Style: Haunted Folk, Ambient Americana, Southern Gothic

Moods: Desolate, Bleak, Haunting, Western, Cinematic, Stark, Sombre, Rustic, Melancholy, Brooding, Contemplative, Depressive, Nocturnal, Alienation, Dystopian, Impressionistic, Lonely, Moody, Mournful, Mythic, Noir, Personal

Musical Qualities: Suite, Atmospheric, Slow, Sampling, Electro-acoustic, Droney

Alabaster DePlume – GOLD

Style: Art Pop, Spiritual Jazz, Dub Poetry, Collage Pop

Moods: Triumphant, Conversational, Uplifting, Conscious, Communal, Heartfelt, Passionate, Hypnotic, Intertwined, Intimate, Intricate, Playful, Rebellious, Love, Poetic, Reflective, Soothing, Spiritual, Warm,

Musical Qualities: Suite, Improvisation, Analogue Recording, Tape Edits, Dub Production, Sound Collage, Thematic, Polished, Catchy

Instrumentation: Saxophone, Spoken Word, Upright Bass, Drums, Group Vocals, Tabla, Synthesizers, Percussion, Guitar, Cello

Daniel Rossen – You Belong There

Style: Progressive Chamber-Folk

Moods: Imaginative, Reflective, Cryptic, Evocative, Cathartic, Sombre, Introspective, Haunting, Dreamy, Poetic, Surreal, Ethereal

Musical Qualities: Lush, Progressive, Acoustic, Dense, Technical, Polished

Instrumentation: Nylon Guitar, Piano, Drums, Bassoon, Upright Bass, Cello, Synthesizer

Sélène Saint-Aimé – Potomitan

Style: Avant-garde Chamber Jazz, Afro-Carribean Jazz, Gwoka

Moods/Themes: Ancestry, Ritualistic, Meditative, Hypnotic, Communal, Rootsy, Poetic, Sombre, Elegant, Flowing, Warm, Mystical

Musical Qualities: Polyrhythmic, Percussive, Acoustic, Repetitive, Improvisation, Technical

Instrumentation: Upright Bass, Bèlè Drum, Ka Drum, Trumpet, Tenor Saxophone, Vocals, Cello, Violin

Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions – Until the Hunter

Style: Ethereal Country, Psychedelic Folk, Slowcore, Singer-Songwriter, Dream Pop

Vibe: Enchanting, Dreamy, Hypnotic, Forest, Wistful, Brooding, Western, Nocturnal, Sensual, Lethargic, Soothing, Melancholy, Reflective, Autumnal, Ethereal, Desert, Romantic, Bittersweet, Spectral

Musical Qualities: Slow, Lush, Soft, Atmospheric, Vocal Harmonies, Lyrical

Instrumentation: Slide Guitar, Vibraphone, Keyboards, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Drums, Cello

Fursaxa – Mycorrhizae Realm

Style: Free-Folk, Ritual-Drone

Vibe: Nature, Mystical, Ritualistic, Dreamy, Forest, Hallucinogenic, Nocturnal, Hypnotic, Sombre

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Droney, Repetitive, Mantra, Electroacoustic

Instrumentation: Harmonium, Vocals, Guitar, Harp, Cello, Flute

Julius Hemphill – ‘Coon Bid’ness

Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Modern Creative

Vibe: Suspenseful, Mysterious, Hypnotic, Intertwined, Open, Abstract, Bluesy (Side B)

Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Polyphonic, Thematic, Collective Improvisation, Percussive, Rhythmic, Acoustic, Instrumental

Dave Holland – Life Cycle

Style: Chamber Jazz, Solo Cello

Vibe: Longing, Contemplative, Elegant, Focused, Introspective, Driving, Passionate, Searching

Musical Qualties: Virtuosic, Acoustic, Sparse, Instrumental, Improvisation, Dynamic, Rhythmic, Melodic

Kahil El’Zabar’s America the Beautiful

Vibe: Anthemic, Communal, Uplifting, Colorful, Celebratory, Spiritual, Mournful, Healing, Bittersweet

Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Thematic, Percussive, Acoustic, Lush, Instrumental

Instrumentation: Percussion, Drums, Trumpet, Keyboard, Piano, Cello, Upright Bass, Violin, Baritone Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute, String Quartet

Style: Spiritual Jazz

Modern Nature – Island of Noise

Style: Chamber Pop, Post-Rock, Chamber Jazz, Singer/Songwriter

Vibe: Reflective, Warm, Intertwined, Nature, Breezy, Spiritual, Morning, Apocalyptic, Uplifting

Musical Qualities: Lush, Soft, Suite, Melodic

Instrumentation: Vocals, Soprano Saxophone, Piano, Trumpet, Upright Bass, Electric Guitar, Drums, Cello, Reed Organ, Viola, Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet

The Art Ensemble of Chicago – We Are On the Edge

Style: Modern Creative, Chamber Jazz, Experimental Big Band, Great Black Music, Avant-Garde Classical

Vibe: Communal, Triumphant, Suspenseful, History, Eclectic, Colorful, Intricate, Ritualistic, Patient, Open, Complex, Theatric

Musical Qualities: Poly-Free Improvisation, Dynamic, Collective, Progressive Structures, Technical, Orchestral, Percussive, Reductionism, Suite, Polyphonic

Instrumentation: Trumpets, Upright Bass, Spoken Word, Operatic Vocals, Drums, Percussion, Saxophone, Cello, Violin, Viola

Julius Hemphill – Dogon A.D.

Style: Free Jazz

Vibe: Hypnotic, Ritualistic, Driving, Intertwined, Fire, Mystical, Powerful, Complex

Musical Qualities: Ostinato, Collective Improvisation, Thematic, Uncommon Time Signatures, Acoustic, Repetitive, Polyphonic, Rhythmic

Instrumentation: Alto Saxophone, Cello, Trumpet, Drums, Flute

Jackie-O Motherfucker – Liberation

Style: Free Folk, Mystical Americana, Drone, Free Improvisation, Post-Rock

Vibe: Weary, Hopeful, Rustic, Communal, Spiritual, Ragged, Eerie, Melancholy, Deconstructed, Hypnotic, Communal, Haunting, Raw, Suspenseful, Intertwined

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Dynamic, Lo-Fi, Atmospheric, Droney, Group Vocals, Dub FX

Instrumentation: Electric Guitars, Vibraphone, Flute, Drums, Violin, Cello, Clarinet, Saxophone, Banjo, Melodica, Sitar, Electronics, Turntable, Keyboards, Trumpet, Electric Bass

Damon & Naomi – Within These Walls

Style: Chamber Folk, Slowcore, Dream Country

Vibe: Flowing, Lethargic, Peaceful, Dreamy, Melancholy, Elegant, Airy, Romantic, Bittersweet, Contemplative, Intertwined, Intimate, Mellow, Sentimental, Smooth, Soothing, Twangy

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lush, Slow, Soft, Simple, Chamber Arrangements, Melodic

C.O.B. – Spirit of Love

Style: Chamber Folk, Spiritual Folk, English Folk

Vibe: Mystical, Medieval, Warm, Spring, Intimate, Mellow, Morning, Spiritual

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lush, Vocal Harmonies, Progressive

Instrumentation: Organ, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Dulcitar, Recorder, Electric Bass, Washboard, Drum, Bongos, Tambourine, Cello, Indian Hand Organ

Eiko Ishibashi – Imitation of Life

Style: Chamber Pop, Prog-Pop, Jazz Pop, Singer-Songwriter

Vibe: Lush, Warm, Sunny, Sci-Fi, Playful, Philosophical, Surreal, Energetic, Imaginative

Musical Qualities: Progressive, Dense, Catchy, Complex, Melodic, Dense, Technical, Rhythmic

Instrumentation: Piano, Vibraphone, Drums, Flute, Rhodes, Electric & Acoustic Bass, Saxophone, Clarinet, Violin, Cello , Synthesizers, Steel Drum, French Horn

Frank Lowe – Fresh

2 Thelonious Monk compositions & 3 originals, featuring Joseph & Lester Bowie, Charles Bobo Shaw, & Abdul Wadud (Cello)

Style: Post-Bop, Free Jazz, Jazz Fusion (B2)

Vibe: Energetic, Spontaneous, Playful, Passionate, Groovy

Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Dynamic, Rhythmic

Spires that in the Sunset Rise – Beasts in the Garden

Style: Free Folk, Psychedelic Electroacoustic Music, Post-Minimalism

Vibe: Forest, Ritualistic, Visceral, Hypnotic, Mystical

Musical Qualities: Loops, Electro-acoustic, Extended Techniques, Suite, Electro-Acoustic, Repetitive

Instrumentation: Flute, Cello, Saxophone, Keyboards, Vocals

Helena Espvall & Masaki Batoh

On this self-titled collaboration, acid folk luminaries Helena Espvall (Espers) and Masaki Batoh (Ghost) create mysterious and earthy interpretations of traditional Medieval, Swedish, Japanese, and Finnish folk songs, plus a Son House cover, an original, and a handful of free improvisations.

Ghost – Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet

Style: Psychedelic / Chamber Folk

Vibe: Pastoral, Spiritual, Sentimental, Haunting, Medieval, Spring, Peaceful

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Progressive, Improvisation

Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Cello, Flutes (Kaval, Recorder), Hurdy Gurdy, Drums, Piano, Tanpura, Analogue Synthesizers, Electric Guitar, Tympani, Vibes

Bitter Funeral Beer Band – Live in Frankfurt 1982

Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Afro-Jazz, Experimental Big Band

Influences: Ghanaian Music & other West African Music, Hindustani & Carnatic Music, Spiritual Jazz

Vibe: Ritualistic, Communal, Hypnotic, Intertwined, Spiritual

Musical Qualities: Polyrhythmic, Improvisation, Repetitive, Percussive, Polyphonic, Acoustic

Earth – Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I

Style: Drone Rock, Post-Rock

Vibe: Meditative, Desert, Hypnotic, Soothing, Spiritual, Western, Lethargic, Determined, Psychedelic

Musical Qualities: Slow, Riffs, Repetition, Improvisation, Minimalistic, Instrumental

Swans – The Glowing Man

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

Horace Tapscott & the Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra – The Call

Style: Avant-Garde Big Band, Spiritual Jazz, Vocal Jazz (A2)

Vibe: Spiritual, Communal, Epic, Passionate, Active Listening, Energetic, Religious, Triumphant

Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Complex, Dense, Acoustic, Thematic, Improvisation, Melodic, Technical, Orchestral

The Iditarod – The Ghost, the Elf, the Cat and the Angel

Style: Psychedelic Chamber-Folk

Vibe: Haunting, Pastoral, Melancholy, Rainy, Delicate, Intimate, Psychedelic, Intertwined

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Slow, Soft, Electro-Acoustic, Sampling, Home Recording

Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Cello, Turntables, Banjo, Tanpura, Violin, Singing Bowls, Percussion, Dulcimer, Bouzouki, Organ, Wine Glasses

Tangerine Dream – Electronic Meditation

Style: Space Rock, Free Rock, Kosmische Musik

Vibe: Primordial, Mysterious, Exploratory, Cold, Desolate, Cosmic, Suspenseful, Meandering, Abstract, Amorphous, Cinematic, Psychedelic, Murky

Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Improvisation, Instrumental, Dissonant, Noisy, Raw, Studio-as-an-Instrument

Muhal Richard Abrams – Colors in Thirty-Third

Style: Creative Music, Chamber Jazz, Free Jazz, Post-Bop

Vibe: Colorful, Sentimental, Impressionistic, Eclectic, Energetic, Introspective

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Dynamic, Poly-free Improvisation, Complex, Spacious

Jason Molina – Eight Gates

Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Slowcore

Vibe: Lament, Depressive, Intimate, Lonely, Rustic, Mournful, Dark

Musical Qualities: Sparse, Lyrical

Instrumentation: Voice, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Organ, Cello

Califone – Heron King Blues [Deluxe]

Style: New Weird Americana, Warped Folk Rock, Psych Folk

Vibe: Twangy, Cryptic, Mythic, Surreal, Mysterious, Rustic, Mellow, Warm, Rootsy

Musical Qualities: Percussive, Loops, Electro-Acoustic, Rhythmic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Improvisation

Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Percussion, Organ, Piano, Vocals, Electronics, Cello, Electric Guitar, Pump Organ, Bass

Land of Kush – Sand Enigma

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

Sélène Saint-Aimé – Mare Undarum

Style: Avant Chamber-Jazz, Vocal Spiritual Jazz

Vibe: Ritualistic, Poetic, Complex, Hypnotic, Nocturnal, Passionate, Mellow

Musical Attributes: Progressive, Thematic Improvisation, Rhythmic, Chamber, Percussive

David Grubbs – The Coxcomb [Review]

Style: Primitivist Theater, Avant-Folk Minimalism, Drone

Vibe: Pastoral, Alienation, Hypnotic, Abstract

Musical Attributes: Sparse, Theatrical, Repetitive, Minimalist, Acoustic

Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Voices, Organ, Cello, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Saxophone

Pelt – Pearls from the River

Style: Ritual Folk, Dhrupad, Free Folk

Vibe: Meditative, Mysterious, Psychedelic, Spiritual, Earthy, Hypnotic

Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Drone, Improvisation, Instrumental, Repetitive, Raga

Josh Abrams & Natural Information Society – Representing

Style: Psychedelic Jazz, Creative Music, Post-Minimalism

Influences: Gnawa, Kosmische Music, Spiritual Jazz, Minimalism

Vibe: Earthy, Hypnotic, Exploratory, Mysterious, Ritualistic, Psychedelic

Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Improvisation, Minimalistic, Percussive, Polyrhythmic

Tortoise – TNT

Style: Post-Rock, Experimental Rock
Influences: Dub, Kosmische Musik, Bossa Nova, Lounge, Minimalism, Jazz, Electronic
Vibe: Contemplative, Eclectic, Focused, Futuristic, Impressionistic, Lush, Meditative, Peaceful, Soothing
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Complex, Digital Production, Percussive, Polyphonic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Loops, Headphone Album, Rhythmic, Pulse, Instrumental, Progressive, Polished

Gogoj – Oviparity

Style: Experimental, Electro-Acoustic, Noise, Drone
Vibe: Eerie, Noisy, Suspenseful
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Electro-acoustic, Improvisation (Solo), Dynamic, Atonal, Loops
Instrumentation: Electric Cello with Effects

Sixteen Horsepower – Folklore

Style: Gothic Country, Americana, Chamber Folk?Vibe: Rustic, Sombre, Murky, Rootsy, Ominous, Loner, Western, Melancholy, Moody, Dark?Musical Attributes: Acoustic Instrumentation (Banjo, Upright Bass, Cello, Acoustic Guitar, Accordion, Piano), Atmospheric, Droney, Slow, Lyrical?Lyrical Themes: Alienation, Religious, Christian, Storytelling

The Books – Lost and Safe

Style: Collage-Pop, Glitch-Folk, Plunderphonics

Vibe: Surreal, Psychedelic, Peaceful, Cerebral, Meditative,  Philosophical, Spiritual, Uplifting, Warm, Playful, Hallucinogenic

Musical Attributes: Sampling, Electro-Acoustic, Melodic, Sound Collage, Vocal Manipulation

Paul de Jong – IF

Style: Collage Pop, Glitch-Folk, Plunderphonics

Vibe: Bittersweet, Warm, Eclectic

Musical Attributes: Sampling, Electro-Acoustic

Gruppe Nuova Consonanza – Improvisationen

Style: Free Improvisation, Experimental, Tape Music

Vibe: Suspenseful, Active Listening

Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Atonal, Sparse, Dynamic

Instrumentation: Trumpet, Upright Bass, Cello, Trombone, Percussion, Piano, Electro-Magnetic Tape

Human Behavior – Kedumim

Religious allegory, profane thoughts, and lustful confessions intertwine on Human Behavior’s third LP; Kedimum is a brooding suite of psychological chamber folk that introspects into a conflicted mind, struggling to reconcile matters of indoctrinated faith, natural human desires, and internalized guilt. Primary songwriter Andres Parada is joined by a sympathetic cast of vocalists to create a vivid sonic drama complete with choral vocals and spoken word passages to complement his haunting narrations. The intricate and shadowy arrangements blend distorted electronic beats with a wide array of acoustic instrumentation, including banjo, clarinet, accordian, acoustic guitar, violin, ehru, and cello.

Espers – The Weed Tree

Originally released in 2005 on Locust

Drag City Reissue (2020)

Format: LP

Style: Chamber Folk

Vibe: Mellow, Morning, Melancholy, Rootsy, Ethereal

Espers – II

Released in 2006 on Drag City Records Format: LP Style: Progressive Folk, Psych Folk Vibe: Melancholy, Psychedelic, Nocturnal, Sombre, Forest Musical Attributes: Melodic, Dynamic, Lush  

Third Ear Band – Alchemy

Style: Free Folk, Chamber Music, Progressive Folk

Vibe: Ritualistic, Hypnotic, Earthy, Tribal, Nature, Meditative, Medieval, Exploratory

Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Improvisation, Instrumental, Minimalistic

Instrumentation: Oboe, Violin, Viola, Recorder, Percussion (Tabla, Drums, Chimes), Cello

Circle – Paris-Concert

While more cerebral than emotive, this live set is a frenzied demonstration of what four virtuosic musicians sound like when they give in to the intuitive whims of collective improvisation. Even when playing a composition, this quartet will stretch and mutate the melody into every possible pattern without ever playing it directly. The group interplay is often bombastic and can be overwhelming, but thankfully they vary the dynamics through mellower sections, as well as solo and duo pieces.

Eberhard Weber – The Colours of Chloë

The German upright bassist and composer is joined by a jazz quartet, cello ensemble, and choir for a colorfully complex album of atmospheric improvisation, progressive structures, and sweeping orchestral arrangements, with occasional segments of groovy fusion or synthesizer spaciness, all draped in the warm, reverbed production ECM albums are known for.

Godspeed You Black Emperor! – Slow Riot For New Zero Kanada EP

“Side A is cut at 45rpm and features “Moya”, a broiling cascade of upward scales that repeatedly explodes beyond its own threshold. “BBF3” on Side B clocks in at 18 minutes, and was the band’s most lyrical, multi-movement music to date — more elaborated melodic figures wind around an angry spoken-word field recording (infamously culminating in the recital of the speaker’s poem — verses lifted straight from Iron Maiden)”