Released in 2007 by Gold Standards Laboratories Recorded November 2005 in Amsterdam Format: LP
Tag: Technical
Madvillain – Madvillainy
Released on Stones Throw in 2004 2006 repress Format: LPx2
Soft Machine – Third
Pulling away from the jazzy psych-pop of their first two albums, Soft Machine gears towards sprawling sidelong compositions of spacey prog infused with thematic jazz fusion improvisations, compositional edits, and heavy doses of experimental post-production (for the more psychedelically inclined). Motivic electric-bass grooves, multi-tracked saxophones, loose swinging drums and fuzzy organs reign supreme. The whimsical and diverse musical nature of founding member/drummer Robert Wyatt was relegated to the eclectic C-side, “Moon in June”, which was his last composition for the band due to the other members not being a fan of his vocals and preferring the seriousness of jazz fusion to Wyatt’s child-like playfulness and spontaneity.
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Piñata
Released in 2014 on Stones Throw Format: LPx2
John Coltrane Quartet – Afro Blue Impressions
Released in 1977 on RCA Recorded live on a European tour in 1963 Format: LPx2
James Blood Ulmer – Free Lancing
Mary Halvorson – Code Girl
King Crimson – Discipline
Discpline marks the first in a trilogy of complex prog-meets-new-wave masterpieces that have been relished by anxious overthinkers for decades…featuring polyrhythmic riffs, innovative guitar textures, overwrought sing-talking, and a strong inter-band chemistry.
Yonatan Gat – Universalists
The new album from guitarist Yonatan Gat finds cohesiveness in its sprawling diversity. Stylistically it combines the rawness of garage rock, the thematic improvisation of Free jazz, and the experimental editing of musique concréte with psychedelic production, Arabic and Klezmer scales and surfy tremelo guitars.
Dawn of MIDI – Dysnomia
An acoustic trio of piano, upright bass, and drums utilize creative extended techniques to play evolving minimalist compositions of mutating grooves, polyrhythms, and textures.
Herbie Hancock – Maiden Voyage
Released in 1966 on Blue Note Records 1971 United Artists Repress Format: LP
Weather Report – Black Market
Soft Machine – Fourth
Released in 1971 on Columbia Records Format: LP
McCoy Tyner – Enlightenment
Information: Released in 1974 on Milestone Recorded on July 7, 1973
The Meters – Look-Ka Py Py
Frank Zappa – Hot Rats
Information: This album was released in 1969 on Bizzarre Records
Caravan – In the Land of Grey and Pink
Information: Originally released in 1971 This deluxe pressing was released in 2013 on Klimt Records Format: LPx2 (second LP contains … More
Sandy Bull – Fantasias for Guitar and Banjo
On his debut album, the guitar and banjo virtuoso starts off with a 22-minute droning epic fusing American and Arabic Folk music with Indian Raga on his acoustic guitar (often trying to imitate the feeling of the oud). Here, he is accompanied by the fluid, driving drums of Billy Higgins. Side 2 is made up of 4 shorter solo pieces, mostly for the banjo, including an impressive rendition of “Carmina Burana” by German composer Carl Orff and a folky mountain song.
John Martyn – Solid Air
British singer-songwriter John Martyn fuses folk, jazz, and psychedelic experimentation to create an album that is both eclectic and cohesive, tied together by his flowing voice and virtuosic acoustic guitar fingerpicking.
FFO Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Ryley Walker
Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez – Solar Gambling
Album Information: Released in 2009 on Rodriguez Lopez Productions Artwork by Sonny Kay Recorded on the E-Clat Morgue Portable Disaster … More
Kamasi Washington – The Epic
Kamasi Washington and his band The Next Step, pick up where their forefathers and mothers left off by making spiritual jazz that respects the jazz canon without getting stuck in the past. This album ranges from free to groovy to melodic without losing sight of its mission. The inclusion of such a large band, an orchestra, a choir, and even a turntablist allows an infinite, colorful array of tonal and dynamic possibilities.
John Abercrombie – Characters
Album Information: Released in 1978 on ECM Records Recorded November 1977 at Talent Studio, Oslo Engineered by Jan Erik Kongshaug … More
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
Miroslav Vitous – Magical Shepherd
Description: Czech bassist Miroslav crafts some flashy jazz funk with Herbie Hancock, percussionist Airto Moreira, vocalists Cheryl Grainger & Onike, … More
McCoy Tyner – Sahara
Album Information: Released on Milestone Records in 1972
White Denim – Fits/Exposion
Album Information: Released in 2009 on Downtown Music Exposion originally released in 2008 and is included as a bonus LP … More
Shakti – Shakti with John McLaughlin
Shakti means “Creative Intelligence, Beauty & Power” and trust me, these are all in abundance on these devotional jazz ragas. Featuring John McLaughlin joined by a quartet of Indian master musicians, this album is a blissfully uplifting and meditative release.
Shakti – Natural Elements
In this energizing exploration of Hindustani classical music from a jazz perspective, John McLaughlin joins a virtuosic trio of Indian musicians who inspire some of the most impassioned and impressive playing of his career. His acoustic guitar shredding veers close to the bendy sounds of the sitar and fits nicely with the dense web of percussion created by Vikku Vinayakram and Zakir Hussain. Violinist Lakshiminarayana Shankar’s emotive themes and fiery solos make him a perfect foil to McLaughlin.
Flying Lotus – You’re Dead
A psychedelic, transcendent fusion of hip-hop, jazz, prog, and IDM meant to simulate the cosmic experience of death. Featuring Kendrick Lamar, Thundercat, Herbie Hancock, Kamasi Washington, Snoop Dogg, and others..,
Mdou Moctar – Sousoume Tamache
Guitar-genius Mdou Moctar visits Portland, Oregon from his home country of Niger to record a hypnotic solo album of desert folk sung in Tamasheq. Most songs consist of intricate fingerstyle acoustic guitar with occasional electric guitar overdubs to accent the melodies.
Soft Machine – Volume Two
Soft Machine’s second album is an eclectic suite packed full of whimsical psychedelia, Dadaist detours, complex prog structures and jazz-inspired musicianship.
Leo Kottke: 6 & 12-String Guitar
Album information: Released on Takoma Records in 1969