with Jesse Sharps, Adele Sebastian, Horace Tapscott, etc
Style: Experimental Big Band, Spiritual Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz
Vibes: Communal, Uplifting, Ecstatic, Triumphant, Driving, Spiritual, Energetic, Cathartic, Complex, Groovy, Passionate, Warm
Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra – Flight 17 Read More »
Style: Art Pop, Experimental Songwriter
Vibes: Warm, Meditative, Spiritual, Compassionate, Tender, Introspective, Romantic, Hypnotic, Contemplative, Light, Lonely, Longing, Poetic, Buddhist
Musical Qualities: Soft, Home Recording, Melodic, Sparse, Percussive, Rhythmic
Arthur Russell – Another Thought Read More »
featuring Deantoni Parks, Austin Peralta, Thundercat, Kamasi Washington, DOMi & JD Beck, Jeff Parker, Carlos Niño, Bennie Maupin, Jamael Dean, Jamire Williams, Josh Johnson, Brandon Coleman, Devin Daniels, Lara Somogyi, Liza Wallace, Sara Andon, Alison Bjorkedal, Ambrose Akinmusire, Dexter Story & more
Style: Cosmic Chamber-Jazz, Progressive Exotica, Jazz Fusion, Third Stream
Vibes: Ethereal, Mystical, Cosmic, Immersive, Communal, Epic, Colorful, Flowing, Contemplative, Fantasy, Reflective, Spiritual, Eclectic
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson – Les Jardins Mystiques Vol. 1 Read More »
featuring Robert Wyatt,. Karen Kraft, Chris Spedding, Gary Windo, Gary Valente, Howard Johnson, Terry Adams
Style: Jazz-Rock, Avant-Rock, Zolo
Vibes: Playful, Surreal, Theatric, Anxious, Complex, Cryptic, Eccentric
Carla Bley & Nick Mason – Fictitious Sports Read More »
1964 Demos
Personnel: Roswell Rudd, Denis Charles, Arthur Harper, Steve Lacy
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Post-Bop
Vibes: Ecstatic, Knotted, Bluesy, Angular, Passionate, Rootsy, Energetic, Romantic, Uplifting, Abstracted
Archie Shepp – Derailleur Read More »
featuring Leroy Jenkins, Archie Shepp, Malachi Favors, Anthony Braxton, Grachan Moncur III, Dave Burrell, Claude Delcloo, Kenneth Terroade, Bernard Vitet, Berb Guérin
Style: Free Space Music, Cosmic Jazz, Avant-Garde Big Band
Vibe: Intense, Chaotic, Bombastic, Ecstatic, Free, Cosmic, Hypnotic, Raw, Communal, Apocalyptic
Musical Qualities: Conducted Improvisation, Dense, Atonal, Dissonant, Acoustic
Alan Silva and His Celestrial Communication Orchestra – Luna Surface Read More »
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Folk Pop, Americana
Vibe: Warm, Tender, Romantic, Reflective, Playful, Love, Compassionate, Rustic, Bittersweet, Intimate, Mellow
Musical Qualities: Catchy, Lyrical, Lush, Home Recording, Acoustic, Melodic
Instrumentation: Vocals, Cello, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Drums, Keyboards, Organ, Vibraphone, Tabla, Violin, Bongos, Horns, Flute, Bass
Arthur Russell – Iowa Dream Read More »
featuring Chad Taylor, Lester St. Louis, Jason Ajemian, Rob Fry, Daniel Villarreal, Akenya Seymour
Style: Liberation Music, Progressive Folk-Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz
Vibe: Triumphant, Rebellious, Communal, Colorful, Warm, Uplifting, Energetic, Passionate
jaimie branch – Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((world war)) Read More »
featuring Alex Cline, Nels Cline, Vinny Golia, Roberto Miranda, & John Rapson
Style: Post-Bop, Avant-Garde Jazz
Vibe: Busy, Urban, Knotty, Energetic, Driving, Bombastic, Complex, Powerful
Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Collective Improvisation, Dynamic, Shredding, Technical, Thematic, Rhythmic
“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”
Joanna Newsom – Divers Read More »
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Art Pop, Chamber-Jazz
Vibes: Autumnal, Sombre, Introspective, Vaudeville, Lush, Sentimental, Theatric, Surreal, Storytelling, Haunting
Rustin Man – Drift Code Read More »
Styles: Art Pop, Progressive Songwriter, Ambient Pop, Chamber-Jazz (Influenced)
Moods: Nocturnal, Surreal, Elegant, Ethereal, Observational, Flowing, Alienation, Cryptic, Disaffected, Lonely, Longing, Melancholy, Mysterious, Poetic, Romantic, Winter
Musical Qualities: Lush, Orchestral, Progressive, Vocal Harmonies, Lyrical, Dynamic, Complex, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Instrumentation: Keyboards, Piano, Upright Bass, Violin, Cello, Drums, Saxophone, Trombone, Percussion, Group Vocals
Julia Holter – Loud City Song Read More »
Style: Cosmic Jazz, Modern Creative, Experimental Big Band
Moods: Exploratory, Mystical, Mysterious, Cosmic, Futuristic, Chaotic, Apocalyptic, Murky, Suspenseful, Spacey
Musical Qualities: Atonal, Collective Improvisation, Dense, Dissonant, Percussive, Noisy, Lo-Fi
Sun Ra and His Solar-Myth Arkestra – The Solar-Myth Approach (Vol. 1) Read More »
Style: Americana, Singer/Songwriter, Alt-Country
Moods: Drifter, Surreal, Poetic, Twangy, Colorful, Eccentric, Sunny, Uplifting, Playful, Observational, Contemplative, Warm, Rural, Sentimental, Storytelling
Jim White – Waffles, Triangles & Jesus Read More »
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
Horace Tapscott with the Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra – Live at I.U.C.C. Read More »
Leroy Jenkins – Violin; Andrew Cyrille – Percussion; Anthony Davis – Piano, Electric Piano (a); George Lewis – Trombone, Electronics (a); Richard Teitelbaum – Moog Synthesizer (a)
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Modern Creative
Moods: Exploratory, Responsive, Abstract, Kinetic, Spacey, Suspenseful
Leroy Jenkins – Space Minds, New Worlds, Survival of America Read More »
“I am not me” the chorus sings repeatedly, a spell to dissolve the ego and deconstruct the myth of American individualism, leaving fertile ground for a collective vision of abundance to bloom. The open-door band of multi-instrumentalists shakily weave through a suite of haunting drone seances, raggedly tender folk sing-a-longs, liberated group improvisations and triumphant post-rock discord. Once again Jackie-O Motherfucker continues their forward march to a beautiful anarchic world without losing touch with its roots in the weird American underground.
Jackie-O Motherfucker – Bloom Read More »
Style: Chamber Pop, Ambient Pop
Moods: Sentimental, Bittersweet, Mellow, Reflective, Ethereal, Flowing, Dreamy, Passionate, Sad
Musical Qualities: Soft, Slow, Lush, Lyrical, Polished, Dynamic
Instrumentation: Synthesizers, Electric Guitar, Drums, Trumpet, Upright Bass, Fender Rhodes, Organ, Cello, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone
The Antlers – Familiars Read More »
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana
Moods: Contemplative, Existential, Nature, Poetic Lush, Pastoral, Warm, Peaceful, Romantic
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Piano, Drums, Electric Bass, Contra Alto Clarinet, Trumpet, Synthesizers
Bill Callahan – YTILAER Read More »
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Chamber-Jazz, Ambient Pop
Moods: Reflective, Existential, Autumnal, Languid, Pensive, Soothing, Peaceful, Nature, Tender, Mellow, Contemplative
Musical Qualities: Lush, Slow, Polished, Atmospheric
Featuring Shahzad Ismaily, Tom Skinner, Alabaster dePlume, and more
Beth Orton – Weather Alive Read More »
Style: Cosmic Jazz, Free Space Music
Feelings: Exploratory, Cosmic, Forest, Mysterious, Abstract, Intense, Energetic, Spacey, Surreal, Warm
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Acoustic, Polyphonic, Dense, Live Performance, Dissonant, Complex, Dynamic
Sun Ra – Nothing Is… Read More »
Style: Free Jazz
Vibe: Sentimental, Heartfelt, Rebellious, Rootsy, Passionate
Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Acoustic, Thematic, Spoken Word, Live Recording
Archie Shepp – Live in San Francisco Read More »
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
John Carter – Fields Read More »
Style: Country, Folk
Vibes: Melancholy, Desert, Western, Sombre, Lonely, Sad, Breezy, Peaceful, Dreamy
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Vocal Harmonies, Lush
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica, Dobro, Piano, Fiddle, Trombone, Saxophone, Sousaphone, Trumpet, Flute, Congas, Electric Bass
Hardin & Russell – Ring of Bone Read More »
Style: Cosmic Jazz
Vibe: Cosmic, Mysterious, Chaotic, Epic, Futuristic, Imaginative, Suspenseful, Ominous, Spacey, Surreal, Spiritual
Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Dynamic, Collective Improvisation, Dissonant, Atonal, Progressive, Free
Sun Ra – The Magic City Read More »
Style: EAI (electroacoustic improvisation), Future Jazz
Vibe: Futuristic, Kinetic, Urban, Abstract, Impressionistic, Meditative, Suspenseful, Mysterious, Complex
Musical Qualities: Percussive, Electroacoustic, Polyrhythmic, Field Recordings, Instrumental, Improvisation (Solo), Odd Time Signatures, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Eli Keszler – Stadium Read More »
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Chamber Folk
Vibe: Poetic, Bittersweet, Conversational, Sexual, Dry Humor, Brooding, Melancholy, Longing, Tender, Introspective, Breakup
Musical Qualities: Lush, Lyrical, Groovy, Dynamic
Instrumentation: Electric Bass, Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Backup Vocalists, Trombone, Jaw Harp, Woodwinds, Strings, Banjo, Mandolin, Trumpet, Drums, Percussion, Keyboards
Leonard Cohen – New Skin for the Old Ceremony Read More »
Style: Jazz Fusion, Avant-Garde Jazz, Baião
Vibe: Warm, Passionate, Spiritual, Eclectic, Groovy, Energetic, Tropical, Psychedelic
Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Percussive, Polyrhythmic, Complex
Hermeto Pascoal – Slaves Mass Read More »
2 Thelonious Monk compositions & 3 originals, featuring Joseph & Lester Bowie, Charles Bobo Shaw, & Abdul Wadud (Cello)
Style: Post-Bop, Free Jazz, Jazz Fusion (B2)
Vibe: Energetic, Spontaneous, Playful, Passionate, Groovy
Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Dynamic, Rhythmic
Frank Lowe – Fresh Read More »
Style: Avant-Garde Big Band, Spiritual Jazz, Vocal Jazz (A2)
Vibe: Spiritual, Communal, Epic, Passionate, Active Listening, Energetic, Religious, Triumphant
Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Complex, Dense, Acoustic, Thematic, Improvisation, Melodic, Technical, Orchestral
Horace Tapscott & the Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra – The Call 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 »
Style: Free Improvisation
Vibe: Abstract, Frenetic, Responsive, Primal, Active Listening, Surreal
Musical Qualities: Atonal, Collective Improvisation, Percussive, Acoustic
Instrumentation: Trombone, Upright Bass, Viola, Violin, Banjo, Experimental Vocals, Electric Guitar
Gunter Christman, Torsten Muller, LaDonna Smith, Davey Williams – White Earth Streak Read More »
Style: Ethio-Jazz, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Jazz Funk
Vibe: Serpentine, Groovy, Warm, Mysterious, Lush
Musical Attributes: Live, Rhythmic, Improvisation, Live, Percussive, Technical
Mulatu Astatke – Timeless Read More »
Style: Primitivist Theater, Avant-Folk Minimalism, Drone
Vibe: Pastoral, Alienation, Hypnotic, Abstract
Musical Attributes: Sparse, Theatrical, Repetitive, Minimalist, Acoustic
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Voices, Organ, Cello, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Saxophone
David Grubbs – The Coxcomb [Review] Read More »
Style: Soul Jazz, Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Uplifting, Joyful, Anthemic, Communal, Groovy, Spiritual, Spring
Musical Attributes: Complex, Improvisation (Chordal), Rhythmic, Technical, Thematic
Instrumentation: Piano, Upright Bass, Trumpet, Saxophone (Tenor), Flute, Drums, Trombone
The Awakening – Hear, Sense and Feel Read More »
Style: Irish Folk Music, Celtic Folk
Vibe: Rootsy, Passionate, Communal, Depressive, Rebellious, Triumphant
Musical Attributes: Vocal Harmonies, Droney, Acoustic
Lankum – Between the Earth and Sky Read More »
Style: Post-Rock, Experimental Rock
Influences: Dub, Kosmische Musik, Bossa Nova, Lounge, Minimalism, Jazz, Electronic
Vibe: Contemplative, Eclectic, Focused, Futuristic, Impressionistic, Lush, Meditative, Peaceful, Soothing
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Complex, Digital Production, Percussive, Polyphonic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Loops, Headphone Album, Rhythmic, Pulse, Instrumental, Progressive, Polished
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
Doug Carn – Spirit of the New Land Read More »
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
Lonnie Holley – Mith Read More »
“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: 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
Gruppe Nuova Consonanza – Improvisationen Read More »
Style: Poly-Free Improvisation, Modern Classical, Avant-Garde Big Band
Vibe: Complex, Hypnotic, Intense, Suspenseful, Cerebral
Musical Attributes: Polyrhythmic, Polyphonic, Odd Time Signatures, Acoustic, Poly-Free Improvisation, Repetitive
Instrumentation: Orchestral, Mallet Percussion (Marimba, Vibraphone, etc) Violin, Cello, Piano, Trombone, Drums, Flute, Bass Clarinet
Anthony Davis – Epist?m? Read More »
Released in 1970 on Flying Dutchman Records Recorded November 24-25, 1969 Format: LP
Gato Barbieri – The Third World Read More »
Originally released in 1963 on Impulse! Records 1974 reissue, blue/green label Format: LP
Mingus – The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Read More »
“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
Charlie Haden – Liberation Music Orchestra Read More »
