Henry Threadgill, Fred Hopkins, Steve McCall
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Creative Music
Vibes: Spontaneous, Responsive, Knotty, Passionate, Exploratory, Intertwined, Open, Airy, Playful, Elegant, Abstract, Complex, Eclectic, Mysterious, Suspenseful
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Post-Bop
Vibes: Rootsy, Imaginative, Energetic, Colorful, Complex, Bluesy, History, Eclectic, Triumphant, Angular, Warm, Communal, Driving, Playful
Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Dense, Progressive, Improvisation, Thematic, Acoustic, Percussive, Technical, Dynamic, Instrumental
Muhal Richard Abrams Octet – View From Within Read More »
with Liberty Ellman, Jose Davila, Stomu Takeishi, Elliot Humberto Kavee
Style: Creative Music, Avant=Garde Jazz
Vibes: Intertwined, Knotty, Responsive, Bright, Complex, Suspenseful, Colorful, Abstract, Exploratory, Elegant, Angular, Off Kilter
Henry Threadgill’s Zooid – This Brings Us To, Volumes I & II Read More »
Style: Country-Slowcore, Grunge-Influenced
Vibes: Autumnal, Moody, Intertwined, Reflective, Passionate, Twangy, Contemplative, Rural, Drifter
Musical Qualities: Riffs, Dynamic, Lush, Slow, Vocal Harmonies, Climactic
Style: Great Black Music, Free Improvisation, Solo Percussion
Vibes: Ritualistic, Sunny, Colorful, Hypnotic, Spiritual, Passionate, Tribal
Musical Qualities: Percussive, Acoustic, Improvisation, Polyrhythmic, Sparse, Atmospheric
Famoudou Don Moye – Sun Percussion Read More »
Style: American Primitivism, Post-Minimalism, Ambient Americana
Vibes: Contemplative, Nature, Pastoral, Sombre, Focused, Hypnotic, Rootsy, Aquatic, Meditative
Elijah McLaughlin Ensemble – III Read More »
Ben Vida (Moog Voyager); Josh Abrams (Upright Bass); John Herndon (Drums); Dan Bitney (Drums); Jim Baker (Arp 2600)
Style: Future Jazz, Progressive Electronic, Electro-Jazz, Post-Rock
Moods: Spacey, Exploratory, Suspenseful, Abstract, Playful, Responsive, Knotty, Mysterious, Futuristic, Spontaneous, Hypnotic
Styles: Industrial-Gospel, Dub Poetry, No Wave, Experimental
Moods: Visceral, Dystopian, Disturbing, Haunting, Surreal, Aggressive, Mechanical, Heavy, Deconstructed, Vulgar, Cerebral, Conscious, Dark, Ominous, Shadow
Themes: Racism, History, Philosophy, Sex
Musical Qualities: Noisy, Spoken Word, Dub, Sampling, Rhythmic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Dissonant
Styles: Modern Creative, Avant-Garde Jazz
Moods: Communal, Colorful, Eclectic, Ritualistic, Uplifting, Playful, Suspenseful, Mysterious, Abstract, Noir, Open
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Percussive, Acoustic, Dynamic, Sparse
Art Ensemble of Chicago – Nice Guys Read More »
Style: Spiritual Jazz, Modern Creative
Moods: Ritualistic, Spiritual, Devotional, Passionate, Mysterious
Musical Qualities: Solo Improvisation, Percussive, Acoustic, Sparse, Live, Lo-Fi
Instrumentation: Upright Bass, Percussion, Spoken Word
Brother Malachi Favors Magoustous – Natural & Spiritual Read More »
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
The Art Ensemble of Chicago – We Are On the Edge Read More »
Style: Cyber-Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz, Future Jazz
Influences: IDM, Afrobeat, Free Jazz
Vibe: Futuristic, Mechanical, Driving, Energetic, Suspenseful, Cinematic, Eclectic, Abstract, Spacey
Musical Methods: Thematic Improvisation, Electro-Acoustic, Polyrhythmic, Percussive, Instrumental, Studio-as-an-Instrument,
Instrumentation: Cornet, Drums, Mbira, Synthesizers, Game Boy, Guitar, Balaphone, Electronics, Bamboo Flute
Chicago Underground Duo – Locus Read More »
Featuring Jim O’Rourke, Josh Abrams, Rob Mazurek, Chad Taylor, John McEntire, Julie Pomerleau, & Archer Prewitt
Style: Chamber Pop, Jazz Pop, Lounge Music
Influences: Bossa Nova, Math Rock, Post-Rock
Vibe: Gentle, Breezy, Intricate, Summer, Intertwined, Mellow, Bright, Smooth
Musical Qualities: Lush, Soft, Polished, Melodic
Sam Prekop – Sam Prekop Read More »
Style: Chicago Soul, Funk, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Conscious, Groovy, Warm, Triumphant, Romantic
Musical Qualities: Lush, Rhythmic, Melodic
Curtis Mayfield – Sweet Exorcist Read More »
Style: Organic Beat Music, Spiritual Jazz, Cosmic Folk
Vibe: Intertwined, Hypnotic, Earthy, Warm, Spiritual, Cosmic
Musical Qualities: Polyrhythmic, Percussive, Acoustic, Improvisation, Electro-Acoustic, Beats
Instrumentation: Clarinet, Keyboards, Piano, Drum Machine, Percussion, Cornet, Upright Bass, Pocket Trumpet
Angel Bad Dawid – Transition East Read More »
Style: Creative Music, Future Jazz, Organic Beat Music, Pan-Americana, Art Pop
Vibe: Romantic, Sci-Fi, Determined, Triumphant, Colorful, Eclectic, Communal, Futuristic, Groovy, Rootsy, Spiritual, Warm
Musical Qualities: Thematic, Polyphonic, Percussive, Polyrythmic, Percussive, Improvisation, Electro-Acoustic, Progressive
Ben Lamar Gay – Open Arms to Open Us Read More »
LP, Thrill Jockey, 1998 Reissue (2015) Style: Chamber Folk Vibe: Pastoral, Peaceful, Warm, Focused, Morning, Intertwined Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Technical, Melodic Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitars, Acoustic Bass, Classical Guitar, Irish Bazouki, and Dobro
Pullman – Turnstyles & Junkpiles Read More »
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
Wadada Leo Smith – Spirit Catcher Read More »
Joshua Abrams – Guimbri
Chad Taylor – Mbira
Musical Qualities: Polyrhythmic, Percussive, Repetitive, Sparse, Acoustic, Minimalist
Mind Maintenance – Mind Maintenance Read More »
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
Muhal Richard Abrams – Colors in Thirty-Third Read More »
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Slowcore
Vibe: Lament, Depressive, Intimate, Lonely, Rustic, Mournful, Dark
Musical Qualities: Sparse, Lyrical
Instrumentation: Voice, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Organ, Cello
Jason Molina – Eight Gates Read More »
Style: Free Jazz, Creative Music
Vibe: Ritualistic, Loose, Cathartic, Complex
Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Acoustic, Polyphonic, Active Listening, Instrumental, Dynamic, Live
Instrumentation: Violin, Upright Bass, Drums
Revolutionary Ensemble Read More »
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
Josh Abrams & Natural Information Society – Representing Read More »
with Ken Vandermark, Jim Baker, Avreeayl Ra & Edward L. Wilkerson, Jr.
Style: Free Jazz
Vibes: Powerful, Ritualistic, Abstract, Communal, Responsive, Mysterious, Spiritual, Suspenseful, Adventurous
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Complex, Collective Improvisation, Thematic, Live, Ostinato
Luke Stewart – Exposure Quintet Read More »
Style: Creative Music, Black Liberation Music, Avant-Garde Jazz
Vibe: Communal, Triumphant, Conscious, Earthy, Futuristic, Passionate, Political, Rebellious, Theatric
Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Spoken Word, Suite, Percussive, Progressive, Live, Group Vocals
Damon Locks’ Black Monument Ensemble Read More »
Style: Creative Music, Electro-Jazz, Fusion
Vibe: Warm, Colorful, Eclectic, Uplifting
Musical Attributes: Improvisation (Thematic), Melodic, Instrumental, Technical, Percussive
Chicago Underground Quartet – Good Days Read More »
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Free Jazz
Vibe: Abstract, Communal, Exploratory, Rootsy
Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Poly-Free Improvisation, Dynamic
Art Ensemble of Chicago – Full Force Read More »
Style: Math Rock, Art Rock
Vibe: Angsty, Complex, Cryptic, Moody, Surreal, Mystical, Urban
Musical Attributes: Odd Time Signatures, Dissonant, Lyrical
90 Day Men – To Everybody: Read More »
Released in 2003 on Drag City Recorded in 2000 Format: LP
Loose Fur – Loose Fur Read More »
Released in 1972 on Curtom/Buddha Records Format: LP
Curtis Mayfield – Superfly (Original Soundtrack) Read More »
Released in 1971 on Curtom Records Format: LP
Curtis Mayfield – Roots Read More »
Released in 2018 on International Anthem Recording Co. Format: LPx2
Makaya McCraven – Universal Beings Read More »
Originally released in 1994 on Thrill Jockey Records 2016 reissue Recorded November 29 thru December 5, 1993
Tortoise – Tortoise Read More »
Released in 1997 on Drag City Records Format: LP
Aerial M – Aerial M Read More »
Released in 2013 on Corpse Flower Records Format: LP, Orange Vinyl Limited to 300 copies, 215/300
Helen Money – Arriving Angels Read More »
Released in 2015 on Space Lung/Land Breathing Records Format: LP
Crown Larks – Blood Dancer Read More »
Released in 1968 on Nessa Records Recorded on August 11th & 25th, 1967 Format: LP
Lester Bowie – Numbers 1&2 Read More »
Released in 1970 on Curtom Records (distributed by Buddha Records) Format: LP
Curtis Mayfield – Curtis Read More »
Released in 2016 on Thrill Jockey Records Format: LP
Tortoise – The Catastrophist Read More »
After a prolific career as a noise/improvisational/experimental guitarist and a few forays into folk and chamber pop, Jim O’Rourke surprised his audience with an album closer to straightforward rock than his audience could have ever expected of him. Yet underneath it’s catchy, cheery, and polished exterior, his lyrics are full of humorously bitter resentment. Like his debut singer/songwriter album Eureka, Insignificance is full of the meticulous and lush arrangements that Jim would become known for.
Jim O’Rourke – Insignificance Read More »
Psychedelic post-punk from Chicago with noise rock dissonance, free jazz sax freak outs, Rhodes keyboards, proggy time signatures, and anxious vocals drenched in delays.
Crown Larks – Populations Read More »
Meditative jazz explorations of space, rhythm and textures inspired by Miles Davis’ ambient jazz pieces, Gnawa ceremonial music of North Africa, the spiritual jazz of Pharoah Sanders and Don Cherry, and the mutating minimalism of Steve Reich.
Click for full review
Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society – Magnetoception Read More »
Album Information: Released in 2002 on Nonesuch Records Produced by Wilco Mixed by Jim O’Rourke Recorded at the Loft, Chicago Format: 180g LPx2, includes CD
Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Read More »
An introspective, instrumental journey of pastoral fingerstyle guitar, occasionally joined by piano, synth and horn arrangements
Jim O’Rourke – Bad Timing Read More »
