Uncommon Time Signatures

Pentangle – Basket of Light

Style: British Folk Rock, Folk Baroque, Blues-Influenced

Vibes: Uplifting, Intertwined, Romantic, Flowing, Sentimental, Rootsy, Intricate, Responsive, Spring, Warm, Energetic,, Groovy, Traditional

Musical Qualities: Melodic, Polyphonic, Lush, Uncommon Time Signatures, Improvisation, Acoustic

Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Vocal Harmonies, Upright Bass, Drums, Glockenspiel, Sitar, Banjo

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Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti & Frank Rosaly – Mestizx

Style & Influences: Latin Jazz, Bomba, Cyber-Jazz, Plena, Trip-Hop, No Wave, Cumbia, Experimental

Vibes: Ritualistic, Ancient, Futuristic, Introspective, Brooding, Sensual, Intertwined, Grimy, Psychedelic, Moody, Eclectic, Healing

Themes: Decolonization, History, Ancestors, Alienation, Roots, Tradition

Musical Qualities: Polyrhythmic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Electro-Acoustic, Percussive, Progressive, Uncommon Time Signatures

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dredg – El Cielo

LPx2, 45rpm, Self-Released, 2002 / 2012 pressing First Vinyl Pressing (2012)Originally released on CD by Interscope Records (2002) Style: Art Rock, Progressive Post-Hardcore Vibes: Cryptic, Dramatic, Surreal, Groovy, Anthemic, Epic, Passionate, Intricate, Bombastic, Psychedelic, Sentimental Themes: Sleep Paralysis, Dreams, Existential, Salvador Dalí Qualities: Conceptual, Lyrical, Suite, Dense, Uncommon Time Signatures, Rhythmic, Progressive

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Yes – Relayer

Style: Progressive Rock, Symphonic Prog

Vibes: Triumphant, Epic, Uplifting, Fantasy, Bombastic, Complex, War, Spiritual, Ethereal

Musical Qualities: Virtuosic, Suite, Uncommon Time Signatures, Dense, Lush, Progressive

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Trans Am – Red Line

Style: MotoRock, Cyberpunk, Experimental Rock, Krautrock

Vibes: Mechanical, Futuristic, Driving, Aggressive, Dystopian, Energetic, Powerful, Spacey, Energetic

Musical Qualities: Rhythmic, Motorik, Riffs, Uncommon Time Signatures, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Repetitive, Noisy

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Art Bears – Winter Songs

Fred Frith, Chris Cutler, Dagmar Krause

Style: Rock in Opposition, Avant-Prog, Tape Music, Chamber Rock

Vibes: Dystopian, Sombre, Winter, Ominous, Anxious, Cold, Disturbing, Knotty, Suspenseful, Theatric, Eccentric

Musical Qualities: Dissonant, Complex, Uncommon Time Signatures, Extended Technique, Loops, Technical, Progressive, Studio-as-an-Instrument

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Matching Mole

Style: Canterbury Scene, Progressive Pop

Moods: Plaintive, Playful, Lonely, Longing, Melancholy, Dreamy, Eccentric, Tender, Sentimental

Instrumentation: Mellotron, Piano, Drums, Organ, Electric Bass, Electric Guitar, Electric Piano, Drums, Voice

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Henry Cow – Unrest

On their second LP, Henry Cow weaves together elements of eerie chamber music, free improvisation, and deconstructed prog to create something that seems like the missing link between the Canterbury jazz-rock of Soft Machine and Gong and the dissonant avant-rock of This Heat.

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Heart of the Ghost – Live at Rhizome

Jarrett Gilgore (alto saxophone); Luke Stewart (upright bass); Ian McColm (drums)
with Dave Ballou (trumpet)

Style: Free Jazz

Moods: Adventurous, Earthy, Driving, Exploratory, Free, Energetic, Abstract, Colorful, Communal, Complex, Determined

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Ostinato, Polyrhythmic, Dense, Acoustic, Uncommon Time Signatures, Instrumental, Dynamic, Live Recording

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Oceansize – Frames

Style: Progressive Rock, Shoegaze-Influenced

Moods: Passionate, Epic, Melancholy, Cryptic, Sentimental, Moody, Longing, Cathartic, Dark, Triumphant, Monolithic

Musical Qualities: Complex, Progressive, Melodic, Uncommon Time Signatures, Polished, Atmospheric, Dynamic, Dense

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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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Arthur Blythe – Illusions

Style: Free Jazz, Abstract Groove, Avant Jazz-Funk

Moods: Funky, Playful, Angular, Driving, Passionate, Intertwined, Eccentric, Triumphant, Uplifting, Knotty, Exploratory, Kinetic, Spiritual, Energetic

Musical Qualities: Thematic, Rhythmic, Uncommon Time Signatures, Progressive, Dense, Collective Improvisation, Technical

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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

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Eberhard Weber – Yellow Fields

Style: ECM Jazz, Atmospheric Jazz Fusion

Vibe: Ethereal, Adventurous, Autumnal, Pastoral, Misty, Impressionistic, Complex, Intricate

Musical Qualities: Thematic Improvisation, Reverbed Production, Chorus FX, Melodic, Uncommon Time Signatures

Instrumentation: Upright Bass (w/ heavy chorus), Soprano Saxophone, Keyboards, Drums

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Horse Lords – Comradely Objects

Style: Experimental Rock, Totalism, Math Rock

Influences: Tishoumaren, Krautrock, Free Jazz

Moods: Triumphant, De-Hypnotizing, Propulsive, Knotty, Angular, Kinetic, Energetic, Dancey, Embodied, Tangled, Communist, Chaotic

Musical Qualities: Polyrhythmic, Complex, Dense, Just Intonation, Instrumental, Uncommon Time Signatures, Microtonal, Dissonant, Polyphonic, Technical, Repetitive, Drones

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Osamu Kitajima – Masterless Samurai

Styles: Jazz-Funk, Japanese Folk, Prog

Moods: Triumphant, Spring, Smooth, Mysterious, Epic, Adventure

Musical Qualities: Lush, Groovy, Progressive, Uncommon Time Signatures, Orchestral, Improvisation, Instrumental, Technical

Instrumentation: Shakuhachi, Koto, Shamisen, Synthesizers, Biwa, Acoustic Guitar, Strings, Electric Bass, Drums, Percussion, Rhodes, Saxophone, Piano, Ehru, Gong, Organ

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Širom – Uteko?injeni prestol preprostih (The Liquified Throne of Simplicity)

Style: “Imaginary Folk”, Ritual Folk, Psychedelic Minimalism

Moods: Mysterious, Ritualistic, Earthy, Tribal, Exploratory, Hypnotic, Mystical, Sombre, Surreal

Musical Qualities: Percussive, Microtonal, Polyphonic, Improvisation, Acoustic, Complex, Uncommon Time Signatures, Repetitive, Instrumental

Instrumentation: Guimbri, Banjo, Frame Drum, Viola, Hurdy Gurdy, Tampura, Balafon, Chimes, Lute, Lyre, Ribab, Mizmar

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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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Julius Hemphill – Dogon A.D.

Style: Free Jazz

Vibe: Hypnotic, Ritualistic, Driving, Intertwined, Fire, Mystical, Powerful, Complex

Musical Qualities: Ostinato, Collective Improvisation, Thematic, Uncommon Time Signatures, Acoustic, Repetitive, Polyphonic, Rhythmic

Instrumentation: Alto Saxophone, Cello, Trumpet, Drums, Flute

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Sun Ra – Lanquidity [Definitive Edition]

Style: Cosmic Jazz Fusion, Avant-Garde Big Band

Vibe: Mysterious, Elegant, Hypnotic, Nocturnal, Cosmic, Futuristic, Spacey, Ethereal, Groovy, Mellow, Flowing

Musical Qualities: Rhythmic, Atmospheric, Collective Improvisation, Thematic, Polyphonic, Odd Time Signatures, Melodic, Progressive

Instrumentation: Fender Rhodes, Synthesizers (Arp, Minimoog, Crumar Electronic Keyboard), Organ, Piano, Bells, electric Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Group Vocals, Trumpet, Saxophone, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Congo, Baritone Sax, Bass Clarinet, Upright Bass

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COS – Cosmix

Style: Prog, Jazz Rock, Canterbury Scene, Cosmic Disco

Vibe: Triumphant, Complex, Anthemic, Groovy, Spacey, Exploratory, Energetic, Warm, Eccentric, Surreal, Playful, Adventure, Epic

Musical Qualities: Progressive, Thematic, Lush, Group Vocals, Technical, Rhythmic, Odd Time Signatures, Improvisation, Polyphonic

Instrumentation: Flute, Electric Bass, Electric Guitar, Horns, Synthesizer

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King Crimson – Lark’s Tongue in Aspic [Steven Wilson Mix]

Style: Prog, Chamber Rock

Vibe: Mercurial, Menacing, Bombastic, Cryptic, Muscular, Cerebral, Epic, Medieval, Aggressive, Bipolar, Heavy, Headphone Album

Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Complex, Progressive Structures, Uncommon Time Signatures, Percussive, Riffs,

Instrumentation: Electric Guitar, Violin, Mellotron, Electric Bass, Electric Keyboards, Percussion, Drums, Vocals

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Omar Rodriguez Lopez Quintet – The Apocalypse Inside of an Orange

Style: Psychedelic Jazz Fusion, Prog, Jazz-Rock

Vibe: Psychedelic, Chaotic, Bombastic, Energetic, Groovy, Heavy, Manic

Musical Attributes: Polyphonic, Polyrhythmic, Dense, Instrumental, Odd Time Signatures, Complex, Progressive, Technical, Riffs, Improvisation, Studio-as-an-Instrument

Instrumentation: Electric Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Electric Bass, Saxophone, Keyboards

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Sumac – Love in Shadow

Style: Free Sludge, Post-Metal

Vibe: Heavy, Cathartic, Murky, Aggressive, Surreal, Complex, Epic, Primal, Abstract, Powerful

Musical Qualities: Dissonant, Noisy, Collective Improvisation, Growling Vocals, Progressive Structures, Odd Time Signatures, Fuzzy Riffs, Dynamic, Reductionism

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King Crimson – Beat

Style: Art Rock, Progressive Pop

Vibe: Anxious, Eccentric, Romantic, Cerebral, Complex, Catchy, Bombastic, Dramatic, Surreal, Slick, Intertwined

Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Uncommon Time Signatures, Polished, Progressive, Technical, Rhythmic

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São Paulo Underground – Beija Flors Velho E Sujo

Style: Future Jazz, Abstract Groove, Psychedelic Fusion

Vibe: Adventure, Futuristic, Triumphant, Spacey, Psychedelic, Energetic, Bombastic, Complex

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Thematic, Progressive, Percussive, Uncommon Time Signatures

Personnel:
Mauricio Takara – Percussion, Cavaquinho, Electronics
Guilherme Granado – Keyboards, Synths, Sampler, Voice
Rob Mazurek – Cornet, Evolver, Ring Modulator, Analog Delay, Harmonium

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King Crimson – Islands

Style: Progressive Rock, Jazz-Rock, Chamber Music

Vibe: Pastoral, Mythical, Mysterious, Epic, Bombastic, Mellow, Aquatic, Dreamy

Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Progressive, Complex, Improvisation, Uncommon Time Signatures

Instrumentation: Electric Guitar, Mellotron, Saxophones, Flute, Piano, Drums, Electric Bass, Upright Bass, Cornet, Oboe

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Rob Frye – Exoplanet

Style: Kosmische Jazz, Analogue Electronic

Vibe: Exploratory, Hypnotic, Adventurous, Mystical, Focused, Spacey

Musical Qualities: Pulse, Improvisation, Instrumental, Headphone Album, Odd Time Signatures, Polyphonic, Progressive

Instrumentation: Flute, Cornet, Organ, Wurlitzer, Synthesizers, Woodwinds, Double Drummers

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Horse Lords – Interventions

Style: Experimental Rock, Totalism, Math Rock, Tishoumaren-Influenced

Vibe: Anxious, Complex, Energetic, Exploratory, Hypnotic, Disorienting

Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Microtonal, Odd Time Signatures, Percussive, Polyrhythmic, Repetitive, Minimalistic, Technical, Drones, Glitchy, Dissonant

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Wendy Eisenberg – Auto

Style: Progressive-Pop, Avant-Songwriter, Jazz-Rock, Math-Pop

Vibe: Whispery, Angular, Intimate, Heartfelt, Cerebral, Reflective, Love / Breakup, Restrained, Introspective, Contemplative, Anxious, Loner

Musical Qualities: Odd Time Signatures, Jazz-Influenced, Technical, Dynamic, Lyrical

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Ezra Feinberg – Recumbent Speech

Style: Post-Rock, Post-Minimalism, Progressive Folk

Influences: Kosmische Musik, American Primitive Guitar, Minimalism

Vibe: Airy, Nocturnal, Pastoral, Peaceful, Focused, Imaginative, Impressionistic, Contemplative, Warm

Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Instrumental, Progressive, Pulse, Odd Time Signatures, Pulse, Dynamic, Headphone Album, Minimalistic

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Yes – Fragile

Released in 1971 on Atlantic Records Format: LP Style: Progressive Rock Vibe: Triumphant, Epic, Complex, Energetic, Warm, Lush Musical Attributes: Progressive, Polyphonic, Melodic, Odd Time Signatures, Technical

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Horse Lords – The Common Task

The Common Task is an incessant barrage of jolting polyrhythms that simultaneously hypnotize and disorient.

Style: Experimental Rock, Math Rock, Post-Rock, Totalism
Vibe: Hypnotic, Surreal, Triumphant, Complex, Political
Musical Attributes: Microtonal, Polyrhythmic, Repetitive, Odd Time Signatures, Saharan Africa-Influenced, Technical, Instrumental

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Stereolab – Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night

Style: Progressive Pop, Space Age Pop

Influences: Kosmische Musik, Bossa Nova, French Pop, Lounge

Vibe: Spacey, Lush, Retro-Futuristic, Catchy, Groovy, Motorik, Nocturnal, Uplifting

Musical Attributes: Melodic, Headphone Album, Odd Time Signatures, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Progressive, Lyrical

Lyrics: Philosophical, Political, Communist, Bi-Lingual (English and French)

Instrumentation: Synthesizers, Vibraphone, Drums, Electric Bass, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Brass, Strings, Keys (Organ, Clavinet, Harpsichord, Wurlitzer)

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Eddie Henderson – Realization

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

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Anthony Davis – Epist?m?

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

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Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society – Simultonality

Over the past decade, Josh Abrams has been using his guimbri to create music inspired by the ceremonial music of the Gnawa in North Africa, infusing it with a wide variety of influences from kosmische to minimalism to the avant-garde jazz of his local scene in Chicago. On this album, the focus is on “pure motion” driven by double drummers hypnotically interlocking with guimbri, guitar, keys and harmonium. Each individual plays unique rhythmic figures that push and pull against each other like polyrhythmic tectonic plates, creating constantly changing, yet circular grooves.

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