Loose

Pharoah Sanders – Pharoah (Deluxe Edition)

Style: Spiritual Jazz

Vibes: Autumnal, Ecstatic, Communal, Hypnotic, Groovy, Meditative, Warm, Uplifting, Peaceful, Spiritual, Exploratory, Heartfelt, Light, Love, Meandering, Mysterious

Instrumentation: Tenor Saxophone, Electric Guitar, Upright Bass, Percussion, Drums, Harmonium, Keyboards

The No-Neck Blues Band – Intonomancy

Style: Ritual Psych, Free Rock

Vibes: Primordial, Ritualistic, Witchy, Meandering, Communal, Abstract, Exploratory, Mysterious, Murky, Psychedelic, Tribal

Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Percussive, Lo-Fi

Xylouris White – The Forest in Me

Style: Free-Folk, Cretan Folk Music

Vibe: Mysterious, Cinematic, Brooding, Meditative, Eerie, Forest, Spiritual

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Instrumental, Improvisation

Instrumentation: Lute, Drums, Violin

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

Six organs of Admittance / Azul

Style: Acid Folk, Free Folk, Ritual Psych

Moods: Aquatic, Meditative, Mysterious, Ritualistic, Nocturnal, Morning, Pastoral

Instrumentation: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Percussion, Tabla, Violin, Kazoo, Tambura, Slide Guitar, Cornet, Gong, Alto Saxophone, Electric Bass, Vibraphone, Drums

Sonny Sharrock – Black Woman

featuring Milford Graves, Linda Sharrock, Sirone & Dave Burrell

Style: Free Jazz, Jazz Fission

Vibe: Ecstatic, Cathartic, Anthemic, Spiritual, Ritualistic, Kinetic, Communal

Musical Qualities: Thematic, Loose, Collective Improvisation, Dynamic

Bob Dylan & The Band – Planet Waves

Style: Americana, Roots-Rock, Singer/Songwriter

Moods: Romantic, Rural, Personal, Autumnal, Sunny, Warm, Light, Joyful, Love, Morning, Reflective, Sentimental, Uplifting

Ry Cooder – Ry Cooder

Style: Americana, Roots Rock

Moods: Rural, Playful, Rootsy, Warm, Sunny, Energetic

Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Electric Bass, Violin, Mandolin, Strings, Piano, Slide Guitar

Siloah – Siloah

Style: Acid Folk, Kosmische Folk

Moods: Stoned, Communal, Earthy, Raw, Meandering, Hippie, Spiritual

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lo-Fi, Loose, Jams

Bardo Pond – Bufo Alvarius

Style: Free Rock, Space Rock, Stoner Rock

Moods: Primordial, Nocturnal, Ritualistic, Cathartic, Hallucinogenic, Exploratory, Raw, Surreal

Musical Qualities: Fuzzy, Collective Improvisation, Slow, Repetitive, Noisy, Riffs, Washy, Bluesy, Dense

The Soft Machine

Style: Canterbury Scene, Psych Pop, Progressive Pop, Jazz-Influenced

Moods: Surreal, Whimsical, Dadaist, Playful, Joyful, Uplifting

Musical Qualities: Suite, Catchy, Complex, Uncommon Time Signatures, Loose

The No-Neck Blues Band – Qvaris

Style: Free Rock, Ritual Psych, Experimental

Moods: Primordial, Free, Exploratory, Mysterious, Suspenseful, Ritualistic, Shadowy, Meandering, Deconstructed, Abstract, Communal, Deconstructed, Nihilistic, Murky, Stoned, Raw, Haunting, Surreal, Nocturnal

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Dissonant, Repetitive, Loose, Droney

Charalambides – Strangle the Wretched Heavens

Style: Ritual Psych, Drone, Free Folk

Moods: Ritualistic, Nocturnal, Hypnotic, Witchy, Cathartic, Mysterious, Abstract, Haunting

Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Noisy, Droney, Fuzzy, Dissonant, Raw

Bardo Pond – On the Ellipse

Style: Free Psych, Space Rock Revival, Acid Folk, Shoegaze

Moods: Melancholy Nocturnal,, Searching, Lethargic, Stoned, Sombre, Lonely, Cathartic, Suspenseful

Musical Qualities: Repetitive, Riffs, Fuzzy, Climactic, Washy, Improvisation, Loose, Noisy

Samara Lubelski – The Fleeting Skies

Styles: Singer-Songwriter, Chamber Folk, Math-Pop

Moods: Breezy, Flowing, Intertwined, Morning, Warm, Dreamy, Sunny, Spring, Bright, Colorful, Forest, Soothing

Musical Qualities: Soft, Lush, Melodic, Catchy, Loose, Fingerstyle

Instrumentation: Electric Guitar, Violin, Flute, Drums, Bass, Piano, Recorder

Amon Düül – Paradieswärts Düül

Style: Free Folk, Acid Folk, Kosmische Folk

Moods: Communal, Earthy, Hypnotic, Ritualistic, Intertwined, Brooding, Conscious, Mellow, Psychedelic, Raw, Stoned, Utopian, Warm

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Jams, Repetitive, Loose, Percussive, Progressive, Improvisation

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

P.G. Six – Starry Mind

Style: Folk Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Acid Folk, Americana

Moods: Reflective, Spring, Tender, Sunny, Warm, Breezy, Romantic, Intimate, Rustic, Bright, Contemplative, Fantasy, Introspective, Poetic, Retro, Uplifting, Mellow

Scalpy Gonzales – Razzle Dazzlism

Style: Noise Folk, Free Pop, Experimental

Moods: Eccentric, Playful, Expressive, Primal, Somatic, Jittery, Ecstatic, Joyful, Erotic, Spontaneous, Raw

Musical Qualities: Dissonant, Catchy, Electro-acoustic, Fuzzy, Noisy, Home Recording, Loose

Instrumentation: Banjo, Drums, Vocals, Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar

Wet Tuna – Water Weird

Style: Country-Psych, Folk-Funk, Jam Band

Vibe: Aquatic, Summer, Warm, Groovy, Spacey, Laid Back, Playful, Stoned

Musical Qualities: Rhythmic, Atmospheric, Improvisation, Loose, Lo-Fi

Charalambides – Joy Shapes

Style: Free Folk, Drone, Avant-Folk

Vibe: Nocturnal, Shadowy, Cautious, Hypnotic, Ritualistic, Eerie, Existential, Murky, Psychedelic

Musical Qualities: Droney, Improvisation, Loops, Slow, Loose, Dissonant, Chants, Atmospheric

Dirty Three – Ocean Songs

Style: Chamber Rock, Slowcore, Post-Rock

Vibe: Aquatic, Melancholy, Flowing, Patient, Soothing, Meditative, Longing, Lonely, Dreamy, Mellow, Lethargic

Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Loose, Soft, Instrumental, Loops, Improvisation

Instrumentation: Violin, Drums, Electric Guitar, Loops, Melodica, Piano, Harmonica

Matana Roberts / Pat Thomas – The Truth

Style: Free Jazz

Vibe: Spiritual, Conversational, Searching, Abstract, Intertwined

Musical Qualities: Duo Improvisation, Dynamic, Instrumental, Acoustic, Loose, Live Recording, Repetition, Dissonant, Improvised Minimalism

Six Organs of Admittance – Dust & Chimes

Style: Psych Folk, American Primitive Guitar, Ritual-Folk

Vibe: Forest, Ritualistic, Seeking, Mystical, Witchy, Nocturnal, Adventure

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Droney, Fingerstyle, Loose, Percussive, Modal, Raga

Flower / Corsano / Bejnowski – The Count Visits

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

Sunburned Hand of the Man – A Grand Tour of Tunisia

Style: Free-Rock, Ritual-Psych, Group Therapy

Vibe: Meandering, Hallucinogenic, Communal, Ritualistic, Surreal, Messy, Amorphous, Mysterious, Playful, Eccentric, Tribal, Warm

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Lo-fi, Loose, Percussive, Jams, Suite

Albert Ayler – Love Cry

Albert Ayler – Tenor & Alto Saxophones, Vocals
Alan Silva – Upright Bass
Milford Graves – Drums & Percussion
Call Cobbs Jr. – Harpsichord
Donald Ayler – Trumpet

Vibe: Ecstatic, Passionate, Anthemic, Energetic, Spiritual, Joyful, Deconstructed, Uplifting

Musical Qualities: Thematic, Collective Improvisation, Acoustic, Loose, Melodic

Style: Spiritual Jazz, Free Jazz

Elkhorn – Elk Jam

Style: Folk Rock, Psych, Jam Band

Vibe: Scorched, Summer, Desert, Stoned, Pastoral Peaceful, Sunny, Traveling, Psychedelic

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Instrumental, Improvisation, Fuzzy, Mellow, Riffs, Loose

Bardo Pond – Amanita

Style: Psych, Shoegaze, Free Rock

Vibe: Cathartic, Searching, Cryptic, Heartfelt, Warm, Hypnotic, Sensual, Meandering, Nocturnal, Lethargic, Introspective

Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Dense, Washy, Riffs, Lo-fi, Loose

Sunburned Hand of the Man – Headdress

Style: Free Rock, Ritual Psych

Vibe: Communal, Mystical, Ritualistic, Meandering, Warm, Cathartic, Psychedelic, Primal, Fuzzy

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Percussive, Suite, Chants, Lo-fi, Loose, Repetitive

Do Make Say Think – & Yet & Yet

Style: Post-Rock, Space Dub

Vibe: Intertwined, Autumnal, Contemplative, Warm, Pastoral, Spiritual, Spacey, Meandering, Exploratory, Mellow

Musical Methods: Dynamic, Instrumental, Atmospheric, Loose, Studio-as-an Instrument

Zs – Xe

Style: Experimental Rock, Brutal Prog, Free Minimalism, Math Rock, Noise

Vibe: Hypnotic, Cold, Ritualistic, Dystopian, Mysterious, Chaotic, Surreal, Loose

Musical Qualities: Dissonant, Improvisation, Minimalistic, Noisy, Complex, Instrumental, Pulse, Uncommon Time Signatures

Instrumentation: Saxophone, Electric Guitar, Loops, Percussion

Jackie O Motherfucker – Change [Tour Edition]

Style: Free Folk, Mystical Americana, Post-Rock

Vibe: Ragged, Deconstructed, Rustic, Warm, Communal, Ritualistic, Messy, Raw, Triumphant, Mystical, Eerie

Musical Qualities: Group Vocals, Collective Improvisation, Acoustic, Loose, Lo-fi

Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Vibraphone, Slide Guitar, Fiddle, Saxophone, Drums, Upright Bass

Lightman Jarvis Ecstatic Band – Banned

Style: Free Pop, Bedroom Psych, Progressive Soul

Vibe: Spontaneous, Woozy, Imaginative, Brooding, Surreal, Loose, Eclectic, Raw, Playful, Fuzzy, Psychedelic, Colorful

Musical Qualities: Post-Production, Progressive, Vocal Harmonies, Manipulated Vocals, Studio Improvisation, Distorted

William Parker – Mayan Space Station

Style: Cosmic Blues, Jazz Fusion, Spiritual Jazz, Abstract Groove

Vibe: Cathartic, Kinetic, Energized, Exploratory, Cosmic, Spiritual, Propulsive

Musical Qualities: Power Trio, Collective Improvisation, Rhythmic, Dynamic, Loose, Instrumental, Ostinato

Yo La Tengo – Electr-O-Pura

Style: Noise Pop, Shoegaze, Indie Rock

Vibe: Autumnal, Nocturnal, Intimate, Heartfelt, Bittersweet, Eclectic, Sentimental, Romantic, Raw, Reflective

Musical Qualities: Loose, Melodic, Noisy, Driving, Jammy, Vocal Harmonies

Bardo Pond – Vol. II

Style: Drone Rock, Free-Psych, Space Rock

Vibe: Hazy, Exploratory, Lethargic, Meandering, Cathartic, Dreamy, Loose, Hypnotic, Murky, Communal

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Noisy, Dynamic, Lo-fi, Climactic, Riffs, Jams

Jahari Massamba Unit – Pardon My French

Style: Black Classical Music, Spiritual Jazz, Organic Beat Music

Vibe: Kinetic, Spiritual, Playful, Groovy, Exploratory, Elegant, Intertwined, Retro, Loose

Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Percussive, Acoustic, Rhythmic, Dubbed Out

David Crosby – If Only I Could Remember My Name…

Style: Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Cosmic Americana

Vibe: Dreamy, Hippy, Longing, Bittersweet, Airy, Autumnal, Warm, Loose, Peaceful, Ethereal, Introspective, Psychedelic, Hypnotic, Mellow, Meandering, Stoned, Communal

Musical Qualities: Vocal Harmonies, Heavy Reverb, Jams

Neil Young – Tonight’s the Night

Style: Country-Rock, Singer/Songwriter

Vibe: Raw, Heartfelt, Sentimental, Mourning, Drunk, Reflective

Musical Qualities: Loose, Vocal Harmonies

Bardo Pond – Vol. 1

Style: Free-Rock, Psychedelic Drone Rock, Space Rock, Noise Rock

Vibe: Exploratory, Fuzzy, Meandering, Psychedelic, Epic, Hypnotic, Noisy

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Droney, Dense, Loose, Lo-fi

Bardo Pond – Volume 8

Style: Free Psych, Space Rock, Jam Band, Shoegaze

Vibe: Adventurous, Communal, Cathartic, Murky, Epic, Psychedelic, Exploratory, Monolithic, Stoned

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Dynamic, Droney, Atmospheric, Fuzzy, Loose, Riffs

Bill Connors – Of Mist and Melting

Personnel: Bill Connors – Acoustic Guitar, Jack DeJohnette – Drums, Gary Peacock – Upright Bass, Jan Garabek – Saxophone

Style: ECM Jazz, Jazz Fusion, Atmospheric Jazz

Vibe: Airy, Suspenseful, Smooth, Open

Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Improvisation, Atmospheric, Technical, Instrumental

75 Dollar Bill – Live at Tubby’s

Style: Psychedelic Jazz, Jam Band, Post-Minimalism, Free Rock

Influences: Tishoumaren, Free Jazz, Kosmische Musik, Minimalism

Vibe: Hypnotic, Communal, Psychedelic, Earthy

Musical Attributes: Collective Thematic Improvisation, Live, Loose, Microtonal, Odd Time Signatures, Repetitive, Percussive

Revolutionary Ensemble

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

Michael White – Spirit Dance

Style: Spiritual Jazz

Vibe: Cosmic, Passionate, Spiritual, Uplifting

Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Improvisation (Thematic & Collective), Loose, Percussive

Joe McPhee – Nation Time

Originally released in 1971 on CjR Recorded December, 1970 Superior Viaduct Reissue (2019) Style: Free Funk, Free Jazz, Abstract Groove Vibe: Energetic, Triumphant, Groovy, Confident, Rebellious, Black Pride Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Live, Loose, Raw

Albert Ayler – New Grass

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.

Jim White and Marisa Anderson – The Quickening

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.

Pharoah Sanders – Village of the Pharoahs

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

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

Dungen – Tio Bitar

Style: Psych Rock

Vibe: Chaotic, Energetic, Psychedelic, Stoned, Retro

Musical Qualities: Fuzzy, Riffs, Loose, Dense

The Soft Machine – The Soft Machine [2nd Press]

Style: Canterbury Scene, Psych Pop, Progressive Pop, Jazz-Influenced

Moods: Surreal, Whimsical, Dadaist, Playful, Joyful, Uplifting

Musical Qualities: Suite, Catchy, Complex, Uncommon Time Signatures, Loose

Tortoise – Tortoise

Originally released in 1994 on Thrill Jockey Records 2016 reissue Recorded November 29 thru December 5, 1993

Oren Ambarchi – Live Knots

This hypnotic, noisy, and improvisatory live album from Australian experimenter, collaborator, and improviser Oren Ambarchi features two separate performances of his epic composition “Knots”. (Click for full review)

Yonatan Gat – Director

Released in 2015 on Joyful Noise Records Recorded April 4-5, 2014 Format: LP, clear seafoam green vinyl

Amon Düül II – Phallus Dead

Originally released in 1969 on Liberty Records 2014 pressing on Purple Pyramid Format: LP, pink/blue swirl vinyl Includes Poster

Dirty Three – Horse Stories

The third album from the Melbourne (Au) violin/guitar/drum trio consists of loose, drifting instrumentals that conjure images of vast, open plains. Though the music here is often melancholic and lethargic, it is occasionally swept up with bursts of passionate energy and possessed by cathartic longing (especially the pleading and utterly beautiful violin solo on “Warren’s Lament”). All three instrumentalists have very individual styles that complement and dialogue with each other in refreshingly unique ways.

Collin Walcott/Don Cherry/Nana Vasconcelos – Codona

Spacious, Raga-inflected improvisations from Collin Walcott, Don Cherry, and Brazilian percussionist Nana Vasconcelos. Walcott has studied sitar directly under Ravi Shankar, and tabla under Alla Rakha, while trumpeter and flutist Don Cherry, after playing regularly with Ornette Coleman, has proceeded to travel around the world to study various musical traditions. Their wide influences come together organically to create meditative and exploratory music. A melodic and atmospheric fusion of airy flutes, watery sitar, hypnotic hammered dulcimer arpeggiations, driving webs of percussion, and bassy throat singing.

Crown Larks – Populations

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.

Do Make Say Think – Do Make Say Think

Album Information: This album was self-released on CD in 1997 This pressing was released by Constellation Records in 2013 Format: 2xLP, 180g, Includes die-cut sleeve with 4 alternative cover inserts

Dave Holland Quartet – Conference of the Birds

While living in London I had an apartment with a small garden. During he summer around 4 or 5 o’clock in the morning, just as the day began, Birds would gather here one by one and sing together, each declaring its freedom in song. It is my wish to share the same spirit with other musicians and communicate it to the people. -Dave Holland

David Grubbs – Creep Mission

Album Information: Released in 2017 on Blue Chopsticks Records (Imprint of Drag City Records) Eli Keszler – Drums, Percussion (Tracks 1,2,4) Jan St. Werner – Electronics (1,4) Nate Woolley – Trumpet (1,2,4,6,7) Recorded by Mitch Rackin at the Seaside Lounge, Brooklyn, Jan-Mar 2017 Mastered by Douglas Henderson Cover Art: Albert Oehlen Back Photo: Tom Van …

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Do Make Say Think – Goodbye Enemy Airship, The Landlord is Dead

“Recorded in an old wooden barn, this second album is swaddled in twilight autumnal ambiance. While the record is bookended by the band’s awesome psych-rock explosions, much of the material here shows increased referencing of jazz influences (modal horns, brushed percussion) and a more organic deployment of micro-electronics. Raw and polished, visceral and cerebral, the band combines rock and jazz traditions of space music with the ‘instrumental’ potentials of mixing room to present a true gem of a record.” (Press Release)