Style: Free Folk, Free Improvisation
Vibe: Psychedelic, Ritualistic, Tribal
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Atmospheric, atonal, dissonant, droney, improvisation, percussive, Electro-Acoustic
Sonic explorations and research from the outer groove
Style: Free Folk, Free Improvisation
Vibe: Psychedelic, Ritualistic, Tribal
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Atmospheric, atonal, dissonant, droney, improvisation, percussive, Electro-Acoustic
Style: Neo-Psychedelia, Ambient Pop
Vibe: Aquatic, Atmospheric, Exploratory, Hallucinogenic, Abstract
Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Sampling, Studio-as-an-Instrument
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
Style: Psychedelic Rock, Free Rock, Jam Band, Tishoumaren-Influenced
Vibe: Groovy, Hypnotic, Colorful, Ritualistic, Communal, Psychedelic
Musical Attributes: Microtonal (Just Intonation), Improvisation (Collective), Instrumental, Progressive, Repetitive, Rhythmic, Thematic
Style: Post-Rock, Art Rock, Shoegaze-Influenced
Vibe: Anthemic, Cathartic, Passionate, Philosophical, Poetic, Spiritual, Existential, Bittersweet
Musical Attributes: Dynamic, Lyrical, Improvisation, Polished
Style: Free Jazz
Vibe: Abstract, Communal, Powerful
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Complex, Collective Improvisation, Thematic
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
Style: Abstract Groove, Psychedelic Jazz, Kosmische
Vibe: Exploratory, Spacey, Psychedelic, Cosmic
Musical Attributes: Groovy, Instrumental, Improvisation, Rhythmic, Odd Time Signatures
Style: Abstract Groove, Jazz Fusion, Raga Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz, Ambient Jazz
Vibe: Exploratory, Abstract, Mysterious, Chaotic, Hypnotic, Psychedelic, Suspenseful
Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Polyrhythmic, Rhythmic, Dense, Complex, Polyphonic
Featuring Dave Holland, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Bennie Maupin, Jack DeJohnette, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Airto Moreira and others
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Jazz-Folk
Vibe: Passionate, Sensual, Exploratory, Loner, Primal
Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Live, Lyrical
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Congas, Vibraphone, Electric Bass, Drums
Style: Raga-Jazz, Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Spiritual, Peaceful, Uplifting
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Improvisation, Instrumental, Indian-Influenced, Technical
Style: Electro-Jazz, Free Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz
Vibe: Cosmic, Futuristic, Spacey
Musical Attributes: Complex, Live, Improvisation
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
Style: Free Jazz, Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Abstract, Active Listening, Chaotic, Energetic, Raw, Spiritual
Musical Attributes: Improvisation (Collective, Thematic, Free), Live, Lo-Fi, Instrumental, Acoustic
Style: Free Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz
Vibe: Triumphant, Energetic, Epic, Exploratory, Loose, Spiritual, Suspenseful, Angular, Chaotic
Musical Attributes: Polyphonic, Progressive, Complex, Dissonant, Dynamic, Technical, Acoustic, Improvisation (Collective, Thematic), Instrumental
Style: Spiritual Jazz, Black Liberation Music, Vocal Jazz
Vibe: Triumphant, Uplifting, Conscious, Groovy, Passionate, Poetic, Cathartic, Spiritual
Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Dynamic, Acoustic, Progressive, Rhythmic, Technical, Melodic, Complex
Style: Experimental Singer-Songwriter, Soul Blues, Psychedelic Soul
Vibe: Imaginative, Bluesy, Cathartic, Conscious, Cosmic, Spiritual, Heartfelt, Passionate, Psychedelic, Rootsy, Bittersweet, Poetic
Lyrical Themes: Existential, Afro-Futurism, History, Racism, Reflective
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Lyrical, Improvisation, Raw, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Instrumentation: Vocals, Piano, Synthesizers, Keyboards, Saxophone, Trombone, Percussion
The free-form psychedelia and tribal “group therapy” of Sunburned Hand of the Man are in great hands with producer Kieran Hebden (Four Tet)—his dubs and cuts transform their usually lo-fi, meandering jams into something much more immediate, without losing any of their exploratory and spontaneous energy. Recommended for fans of polyrhythmic Afro-inspired percussion, dubbed out production, communal sound rituals, and dense psychedelia.
Originally released in 1971 on CjR Recorded December, 1970 Superior Viaduct Reissue (2019) Style: Free Funk, Free Jazz, Abstract Groove … More
One can only imagine how Ayler bringing more commercial styles like R&B, Rock, and Gospel into his avant-garde music messed with critics and fans alike when it came out—the way it looked like commercial pandering to the Free Jazz listeners but was probably still too weird for new listeners. It helps to remember that Ayler came from R&B and went straight to the Free Spiritual Jazz of the early 60s, making Jazz critics highly skeptical skeptical by not climbing the bebop ranks like Coltrane before plunging into freedom. On New Grass, Ayler really started to synthesize the spiritual elements of many forms of Great Black Music, making more accessible music not as a way of selling out, but a way of sharing his beautiful spiritual message and sound with a wider audience. Plus this thing has Bernard Purdie on drums so of course it slaps.
If you dig this LP, I think he succeeded in this sound direction even more on his following albums Love Cry and Music is the Healing Force of the Universe. Albert Ayler was a pure soul that left this world too soon, grateful for the gifts of music and wisdom he left behind.
Style: Raga-Jazz, Hindustani Classical Music
Vibe: Passionate, Spiritual, Energetic, Focused, Meditative, Peaceful
Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Acoustic, Instrumental, Technical
Style: Free Jazz, Solo Piano, Free Improvisation
Vibe: Abstract, Complex, Energetic, Intense, Expressive, Exploratory
Musical Attributes: Piano, Solo, Live, Improvisation, Acoustic, Suite, Percussive, Dynamic
Style: Post-Bop, Jazz, Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Uplifting, Straight Ahead
Musical Attributes: Melodic, Technical, Modal, Improvisation
Style: Spiritual Jazz, Free Jazz
Vibe: Passionate, Spiritual, Exploratory, Triumphant,
Musical Attributes: Complex, Modal, Thematic, Acoustic, Live, Improvisation, Dynamic, Instrumental
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Free Jazz
Vibe: Abstract, Communal, Exploratory, Rootsy
Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Poly-Free Improvisation, Dynamic
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Space Ambient
Vibe: Cosmic, Futuristic, Improvisation, Spacey, Atmospheric
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Free Jazz
Vibe: Spacey, Exploratory, Communal, Futuristic, Abstract, Chaotic, Complex, Eccentric, Eclectic, Cosmic, Improvisation
“There is a heightened and sustained sense of intuition running through this recording whose sonic palette is so wide it captures – through soundscaping, invocation, lament, impressionistic vocal weaving – not only the transient and hybridised nature of life in Johannesburg, but also the heaviness of the air at the time of its recording. More ambient, controlled swirl of rhythm and experimental mixing than incessant groove, the album is an outpouring of a range of expressions that exist between the supposed binaries of indigenous forms of music and the electronic experimentation Johannesburg is known globally for.” (from Bandcamp)
Style: Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Warm, Spiritual, Groovy
Musical Attributes: Melodic, Improvisation, Acoustic (Upright Bass, Drums, Flute/Saxophone)
Style: Abstract Funk, Jazz Fusion, Spiritual Jazz
Lineup: Eddie Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Bennie Maupin, Lenny White, Billy Hart, Buster Williams, Pat Gleeson
Vibe: Cosmic, Exploratory, Groovy, Atmospheric, Spacey, Spiritual
Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Polyrhythmic, Odd Time Signatures, Studio-as-an-Instrument
This impressionistic and contemplative collaboration channels deep American folk roots through free flowing improvisations. The panoramic and sensitive drumming of Jim White (Dirty Three, Cat Power, etc) is a perfect match for Marisa Anderson’s primitivist guitar sensibilities, which feel both immediate and abstract.
Style: Modal Jazz, Hard Bop
Vibe: Sentimental, Joyful, Sunny, Uplifting
Originally released in 1972 on CBS Records 2019 Superior Viaduct Reissue Format: LP Style: Free Improvisation, Ambient Jazz, Drone Vibe: Ritualistic, … More
Style: Avant-Garde Big Band, Free Jazz
Vibe: Cerebral, Bombastic, Energetic, Complex, Abstract
Musical Attributes: Dense, Poly-Free Improvisation, Polyphonic, Dynamic, Instrumental, Technical, Innovative
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
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
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
Style: Free Jazz
Vibe: Communal, Bombastic, Complex, Energetic, Passionate, Chaotic
Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Dense, Instrumental, Acoustic, Dynamic, Polyphonic
The sludge oozing out of this record is so toxic that all traces of metal have nearly disintegrated, and the fumes cause nightmarish hallucinations to any who inhale.
Style: Free-Sludge, Avant-Metal, Free Improvisation
Vibe: Primal, Murky, Aggressive, Hallucinogenic, Cathartic, Complex
Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Dissonant, Noisy, Progressive
Style: Free Improvisation, Post-Minimalism, Trance Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz
Vibe: Suspenseful, Hypnotic, Epic, Anxious, Impressionistic
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Repetitive, Droney, Dissonant, Electro-Acoustic, Collective Improvisation, Minimalistic
Released in 1965 on Impulse! Records
Format: LP
Style: Free Jazz
Vibe: Passionate, Complex, Fiery, Political
Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Acoustic, Progressive, Polyphonic, Odd Time Signatures
“The five-piece band synthesise contemporary classical forms – most often recalling Steve Reich or Philip Glass – and marry them to the looseness and improvisational nature of jazz and the dynamics of head-nodding electronic music. Stateless is at once both carefully composed and freely flowing. The compositions included here are more about rhythm, texture and contrast than definable melodies and harmonic structures.” – Scott Wallace [Sydney Scoop]
Released in 1961 on Impulse! Records Red Ring 70s Reissue Format: LP Style: Modal Jazz, Post-Bop Musical Attributes: Polyrhythmic, Acoustic, Melodic, … More
Released in 1979 on Tomato Records Format: LP, Promo copy Style: Free Jazz Vibe: chaotic, complex, energetic, manic Musical Attributes: Polyphonic, Improvisation, … More
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
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.
Originally released as a cassette on Atlantic Rhythms Records in 2018 Original vinyl pressing (2020), limited to 300 Format: LP
Released in 2012 on Utecht Records Format: LP, 45rpm
Originally released in 1971 on CjR Records Superior Viaduct reissue (2019) Format: LP
Released in 1973 on Impulse! Records Format: LP
Released in 2015 on Constellation Records Recorded June 3-5, 2014 Format: LP
Released in 1977 on Impulse Records Recorded September 2, 1965 Format: LP
Released in 2014 on Svart Records Recorded 2011 Format: LP
Released in 1979 on ECM Records Recorded June, 1978 Format: LP
Released in 1975 on Milestone Records Compilation featuring tracks recorded between 1960 and 1962 that were originally released on albums … More
Released in 1976 on Inner City Records Format: LP
Released in 2011 on Constellation Records Format: 10″x2
Originally released in 1998 Exiled Records reissue (2016) Format: LPx2, blank D-side
Released in 2010 on Smalltown Superjazz Recorded live in 1971 Format: LPx2 Style: Cantebury Scene, Jazz-Rock, Progressive Rock Vibe: Exploratory, Complex, Mysterious, … More
Released in 1975 on Arista Records Format: LP Syle: Avant-Garde Jazz Vibe: Cerebral, Complex, Exploratory, Impressionistic Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Innovative, Melodic, … More
Style: Kosmische Music, Psychedelic Rock, Space Rock
Influences: Arabic Music, African Music, Prog
Vibe: Exploratory, Psychedelic, Desert, Tribal
Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Studio-as-an-instrument, Sound Collage, Riffs
Released in 2019 on 33-33 Records Format: LP Style: Free-Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Experimental Rock Influences: Arabic Folk Music, Free Improvisation, … More
Fontanelle’s Vitamin F feels heavily indebted to the dense, psychedelic grooves of Bitches Brew and the Mwandishi albums, and while it doesn’t quite reach the majestic heights of those legendary records, it’s definitely a worthwhile slab of wax for fans of polyrhythmic funk, winding improvisations, and spacey keyboard atmospheres.
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
Style: Free Jazz
Vibe: Abstract, Energetic, Passionate, Complex
Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Polyphonic, Polyrhythmic, Dissonant, Poly-Free
Released in 2003 on Rune Grammofon, distributes by ECM Records Recorded December 3-7, 2001 Format: LPx2
This heavy drone rock feels like a journey through some haunted terrains and forests in ancient Europe. Monolithic fogs of synths and electronic soundscapes drone on for minutes at a time, occasionally being infiltrated by psychedelic guitars and pummeling marches of drums and bass. Given the cohesive ark, determined focus, and fluidity of the album (without as much as a pause between tracks until track 7), it was surprising to find that most of the songs are studio-enchanced improvisations pulled from 2014 tour recordings.
Recommended for fans of motorik drums, the thick drone of early Earth or Sunn O))), psychedelic guitar noises and fuzzy stoner rock riffs.
Released in 1972 on Capitol Records Format: LPx2
Released in 2016 on Blue Chopsticks/Drag City Recorded November, 2014 – July, 2015 Format: LP
Released in 1976 on Horizon Records Format: LP
Released in 1963 on Columbia Records Format: LP
Released in 2018 on The Leaf Label Format: LPx2 Includes vinyl-exclusive track on side D
Released in 1978 on ECM Records Recorded August, 1977 Format: LP
Released in 2016 on R&S Records Recorded 2007-2015 Format: LP
Released in 2019 on Constellation Records Format: LPx2
Released in 1983 on Columbia Records Format: LP
Album Information: Originally released in 1966 on Blue Note Records Recorded May 19, 1966 1973 Reissue Format: LP Personnel: Cecil … More
Released in 2019 on International Anthem Recording Co. Format: LPx2
Released in 2019 on Constellation Records Format: LP
Released in 2017 on International Anthem Recording Co. Recorded June 2016 Format: LP
Released in 1967 on Impulse! Records Recorded August 19, 1966 Format: LP
Released in 1970 on Flying Dutchman Records Recorded November 24-25, 1969 Format: LP
Originally released in 1965 on ESP Disk Recorded July 10, 1964 2000’s ESP pressing Format: LP
Released in 1971 on Columbia Recorded Feb-April 1970 Format: LP
Released in 2019 on International Anthem Recording Co. Format: LP
Innovative guitarist and producer Dave Harrington (Darkside) uses his latest record to explore the outer reaches of improvisation and compositional post-production. Pure Imagination, No Country is jazz-rock fusion stripped of its retro connotations—fusing hard grooves, free flights of collective improvisation, and futuristic ambience to create something that is at turns atmospheric and in your face.
Recommended for fans of Bill Frisell, Terje Rypdal, or Jaga Jazzist
Released in 2018 on ECM Records Recorded July 2017 Format: LP
Released in 2018 on International Anthem Recording Co. Format: LPx2
Released in 1966 on Impulse Records Original Pressing Format: LP
Released in 2008 on Arduna Records Format: LP
Released in 1965 on Jazz Workshop (Mingus’ own label) Numbered 1966 pressing Recorded in 1964 at the Monterey Jazz Festival … More
Released in 1961 on Atlantic Records Format: LP
Released in 1967 on Impulse! Records Format: LP
Released in 1969 on BYG Records Japanese Pressing Format: LP Artwork by Moki Cherry Recorded August 22, 1969 in Paris, … More
Released on Ideological Organ in 2017 Format: LPx2
Released in 2019 on Thrill Jockey Records Format: LP Limited pink vinyl
Released in 1967 by Columbia Records Format: LP