Clarinet

National Health – National Health

National Health was a continuation of Canterbury supergroup Hatfield & the North, bringing over essentially everyone from that project, except Hatfield’s bassist Richard Sinclair (Caravan), including Pip Pyle (Gong), Dave Stewart (Egg), Amanda Parsons, and Phil Miller (Matching Mole). Unsurprisingly, the LP is packed with warm, playful virtuosity. Overdriven bass takes the helm for most of the themes, locked in with propulsive grooves and shifting time signatures of Pyle’s drums. The space fills out quite colorfully with harmonious waves of electric piano, woodwinds and Moog synthesizer. When things need to be taken up a notch, Miller comes in with some triumphantly energizing guitar solos. What really makes this album special though are Amanda Parson’s vocals, which work both as a wordless instrument within the polyphonic arrangements, and as a unifying, lyrical force during the album’s most epic moments.

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Moor Mother – The Great Bailout

Sonically, this suite continuously transforms by folding different time-spaces on top of each other. Funereal keyboards and ethereal harp echoes give way to haunting trumpet improvisations over stark trap beats; choral spirituals emerge from gritty bass drones; spectral strings are set against glitchy samples. But this is not just music. This is quantum physics; temporal alchemy; ancestral communion; vibrational magic; spirit channeling. These sounds & words are ultimately an act of liberating history from the colonial clutches of a linear timeline, whose violent inertia charges forward to a hegemonic and apocalyptic horizon.

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HOOD – Cold House

Style: Post-Rock, Slowcore, Glitch-Pop, Dub-Influenced, IDM-Influenced, Hip-Hop influenced

Vibes: Autumnal, Lethargic, Melancholy, Haunting, Hypnotic, Sombre, Intertwined, Reflective, Depressive, Winter, Bittersweet, Cold, Introspective, Soothing

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Alan Silva and the Celestrial Communication Orchestra – Seasons

Lineup: Alan Silva, Roscoe Mitchell, Robin Kenyatta, Don Moye, Steve Lacy, Jerome Cooper, Dave Burrell, Bernard Vitet, Alan Shorter, Joseph Jarman, Ronnie Beer, Michel Portal, Dieter Gewissler, Jouk Minor, Kent Carter, Irene Aebi, Oliver Johnson, Joachim Kuhn

Style: Cosmic Big-Band, Creative Music, Free Jazz

Vibes: Apocalyptic, Cosmic, Cathartic, Communal, Intense, Ritualistic, Entropic, Meditative, Spiritual, Mysterious, Energetic

Musical Qualities: Conducted Improvisation, Dense, Acoustic, Instrumental, Atonal, Orchestral, Active Listening, Complex, Noisy, Heavy, Progressive

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Marion Brown – Duets

Compilation of two duo records:
“Creative Improvisation Ensemble” recorded with Wadada Leo Smith in 1970
“Soundways” recorded with Elliott Schwartz in 1973

Style: Creative Music, Free Improvisation, Avant-Garde Jazz

Vibes: Open, Suspenseful, Abstract, Deconstructed, Intertwined, Restrained, Searching, Spontaneous

Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Poly-Free Improvisation, Atonal, Percussive, Slow, Sparse, Instrumental

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Matana Roberts – Coin Coin Chapter Five: In the Garden

Style: Free Jazz, Creative Music, Liberation Music, Jazz Poetry, Spiritual Jazz

Vibe: Passionate, Rootsy, Poetic, Storytelling, Rebellious, Compassionate, Intertwined, Haunting, Spiritual, Driving, Communal, Triumphant, Sad, Powerful

Themes: Ancestry, History, Feminism, Trauma, Memory, Black Liberation, Identity, Death

Musical Qualities: Suite, Thematic, Graphic Score, Improvisation, Spoken Word, Complex, Group Vocals

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Carlos Niño & Friends – (I’m just) Chillin’, On Fire

with Josh Johnson, André 3000, Deantoni Parks, Jamael Dean, Jamire Williams, Adam Rudolph, Aaron Shaw, Laraaji, Kamasi Washsington, Sibusile Xaba, Mia Doi Tod, Woo, Photay, Surya Botofasina & others

Style: “Spiritual Improvisational Space Collage”, Ambient Jazz, New Age

Vibe: Ethereal, Communal, Utopian, Meditative, Playful, Exploratory, Soothing, Conscious, Spiritual

Musical Qualities: Collage, Beats, Collective Improvisation, Sampling, Lush, Spoken Word

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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

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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”

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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

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Eddie Henderson – Inside Out

Style: Jazz Fission, Abstract Groove, Cosmic Jazz, Free-Fusion

Moods: Cosmic, Propulsive, Exploratory, Adventurous, Spiritual, abstract groove, communal, cosmic, driving, epic, exploratory, improvisation, instrumental, mysterious, rhythmic, thematic, psychedelic,

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Rhythmic, Ostinato, Dub Fx, Thematic

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The Art Ensemble of Chicago – Bap-Tizum

Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Modern Creative, Spiritual Jazz, Free Jazz

Moods: Ritualistic, Passionate, Cathartic, Open, Colorful, Visceral, Warm, Communal, Free, Abstract, Chaotic, Exploratory, Responsive, Tribal, Spiritual

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Percussive, Suite, Live, Dynamic, Polyphonic, Group Vocals

Instrumentation: Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Kelphorn, Bass Drum, Percussion, Saxophones (Alto, Soprano, Sopranino, Tenor, & Bass), Clarinet, Drums, Alto Flute, Conga, Vibraphone, Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Log Drum, Gong, Whistle, Bass Marimba

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Dewey Redman – Coincide

Style: Spiritual Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz

Moods: Ecstatic, Intense, Energetic, Kinetic, Passionate, Mysterious, Triumphant, Chaotic, Spiritual

Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Dissonant, Complex, Acoustic, Collective Improvisation, Instrumental

Personnel:

Dewey Redman – Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Zither; Sirone – Upright Bass; Eddie Moore – Drums, Tympani, Idiophone (Bowed & Struck); Leroy Jenkins – Violin; Ted Daniel – Trumpet

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Angel Bat David – The Oracle

Style: Organic Beat Music, Bedroom Gospel, Spiritual Jazz

Moods: Heartfelt, Raw, Sombre, Spiritual, Flowing, Passionate, Mournful, Mysterious, Haunting, Cathartic, Eclectic

Musical Qualities: Home Recording, Collage, Beats, Improvisation, Solo, Loose, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Lo-fi

Instrumentation: Clarinet, Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion, Drums

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Björk – Fossora

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

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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

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Marion Brown – Afternoon of a Georgia Faun

featuring Chick Corea, Anthony Braxton, Bennie Maupin, Andrew Cyrille, etc…

Style: Modern Creative, Avant-Garde Jazz

Vibe: Mysterious, Suspenseful, Nature, Abstract, Surreal, Kinetic, Visceral, Earthy, Swirling, Pastoral (Side A)

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Dynamic, Sparse, Acoustic, Atonal, Experimental Vocals, Extended Techniques, Dissonant, Percussive, Homemade Instrument

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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

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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

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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

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Jackie-O Motherfucker – Fig 5.

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

Vibe: Haunting, Meandering, Rootsy, Rustic, Nocturnal, Mysterious, Deconstructed, Ragged, Communal, Murky, Abstract, Lethargic, Hallucinogenic, Raw

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Instrumental (except B1,C1), Loose, Lo-fi, Dynamic, Droney, Noisy, Group Vocals (B1), Harmonies (B1, C1)

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Wadada Leo Smith – Spirit Catcher

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

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Mark Hollis – Mark Hollis

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

Vibe: Peaceful, Intimate, Introspective, Spiritual, Reflective, Meditative, Melancholy, Mellow, Sentimental, Ethereal, Autumnal

Musical Qualities: Soft, Sparse, Acoustic, Atmospheric


Instrumentation: Voice, Bassoon, Clarinet, Piano, Upright Bass, Flute, Trumpet, Guitar

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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

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The Sea Ensemble – We Move Together

An obscure release from the great creative label ESP-Disk, containing exploratory, mysterious and playful improvisations from The Sea Ensemble—the husband/wife duo of Zusaan Fasteau and Donald Rafael Garrett. While they are both trained musicians and multi-instrumentalists, an uninhibited childish spirit permeates this release, as can be seen in Donald’s crude but visionary cover drawing; Yet the recording also feels imbued with ancient wisdom, as heard in their primal and instinctive vocalizations throughout the album

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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.

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Black Ox Orkestar – Ver Tanzt?

These impassioned, and often mournful, renditions of klezmer folk songs (both traditional and original) are infused with elements of free jazz, drone, and chamber music to create something both rooted and urgently modern (Even 15 years after its release). The mostly acoustic band features violinist Jessica Moss (also of Silver Mt. Zion) and upright bassist Thierry Amar (asmz, GY!BE) in addition to singer/multi-instrumentalist Scott Levine Gilmore and Clarinetist/Guitarist Gabe Levine.

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Human Behavior – Bethpage

The apocalyptic chamber-folk of Bethpage soundtracks multiple chapters of cryptic storytelling, mixing one’s darkest thoughts with religious imagery and allegory through banjo sing-alongs and haunting spoken word passages. The heavy climaxes are whirlwinds of bombastic drums, driving bass, fiddle, clarinet, and banjo that often recall the communal chamber-punk of Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra. While many tracks feel seeped in shadow and darkness, a heavenly light occasionally floods in through some truly serene and beautiful passages.

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Charlie Haden – Liberation Music Orchestra

“The music in this album is dedicated to creating a better world; a world without war and killing, without racism, without poverty and exploitation; a world where men of all governments realize the vital importance of life and strive to protect it rather than destroy it. We hope to see a new society of enlightenment and wisdom where creative thought becomes the dominant force in all people’s lives” – Charlie Haden

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