04 Jun
Rules of Engagement, Vol. 2 by Dominic Duval & Joe McPhee
Friday, 04 June 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Free bassist Dominic Duval's Rules of Engagement series of duets continues apace with this second volume featuring Joe McPhee on soprano saxophone as his opposite number. T…
04 Jun
The Entire Time by Nels Cline & Vinny Golia
Friday, 04 June 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Guitarist Nels Cline & multi-wind & reedman Vinny Golia are two of the busiest improvisationalists in L.A; that's probably equally true in stylistic terms as in the amount …
03 Jun
Digital Honesty by Brian Charette
Thursday, 03 June 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Brian Charette’s "Digital Honesty" (D.H.) is wildly imaginative, ambitious , and successful. Actually integrating multiple styles into something interesting and original is…
03 Jun
Prayers From The Underbelly (2003) by mJane
Thursday, 03 June 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
This quintet is almost impossible to categorize. Then again, stereotyping the arts in general can be risky business. Here, vocalist Molly Sturges also conducts this band th…
02 Jun
Faith In A Seed by James Finn Trio
Wednesday, 02 June 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Although he might not be a household name to most modern jazz advocates, tenor saxophonist James Finn has been paying his dues over the years via stints with well-known jaz…
01 Jun
Tom McNalley Trio by Tom McNalley
Tuesday, 01 June 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
To say 21-year old electric guitarist Tom McNalley has chops would be an understatement. To say McNalley plays free-jazz in long extended and far-ranging jams which vary gr…
31 May
Illusion Suite by Satoko Fujii Trio
Monday, 31 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Satoko Fujii Trio’s latest CD "Illusion Suite" (I.S.) is a vast playground of creative music-making styles, performed with clarity, urgency, and vision. This is the 6th rec…
30 May
Klusterbuckstuckle by Organon
Sunday, 30 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
On paper, this quintet would most assuredly signify those who are among the crème de la crème of Britain’s jazz and/or jazz-rock movements. With this release, the artists’ …
30 May
Enterprising Mass of Cilia by Masashi Harada Condanction Ensemble
Sunday, 30 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Among conductor Masashi Harada’s rather heady, yet insightful notes for this project, he states: "Condanction emphasizes music of body rather than music of memory (although…
29 May
What Is This Thing by Inside Out
Saturday, 29 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Innovative and uncharacteristic interpretations of standards would be the best way to describe Inside Out's new CD, "What Is This Thing". Inside Out is a pian…
29 May
Ithaca by Barry Guy / Marilyn Crispell / Paul Lytton
Saturday, 29 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Those wondering when pianist Marilyn Crispell, after her last few lyrical releases on ECM, was going to get back to some seriously explosive keys-bashing need wonder…
25 May
Fly Fly Fly by Larry Ochs - Joan Jeanrenaud - Miya Masaoka
Tuesday, 25 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Saxophonist Larry Ochs of the notable sax only quartet, ROVA represents the brawn and power here. While koto expert Miya Masaoka and cellist Joan Jeanrenaud often reside as…
23 May
That Magic Thread by MRC Trio
Sunday, 23 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
For many years, drummer/percussionist Barry Romberg has been a fixture on the Canadian jazz scene. That Magic Thread has him exploring new territory with an interesting gro…
23 May
Illusion Suite by Satoko Fujii Trio
Sunday, 23 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Satoko Fujii's never ending quest for musical exploration is evident throughout Illusion Suite. A tour de force of considerable depth. Dresser and Black are the web which F…
19 May
The Kabell Years 1971 - 1979 by Wadada Leo Smith
Wednesday, 19 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Wadada Leo Smith -- trumpeter, composer, educator -- has been almost legendary in the past 30 years for his approach to "free jazz." While many (though of course, not all) …
18 May
Autumn Music by Simon Nabatov Trio
Tuesday, 18 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Russian born jazz pianist and consummate improviser, Simon Nabatov is steadily building his already impressive resume, via some fine and undeniably distinct recordings for …
18 May
Exploration by Grachan Moncur
Tuesday, 18 May 2004
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Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Explore indeed!! Composer Moncur takes us 'where man has seldom gone' with his superb originals.......and, the investigation is edifying. The octet plays Moncur's music wit…
16 May
Justin Mullens & The Delphian Jazz Orchestra by Justin Mullens
Sunday, 16 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
New York trumpeter, composer and arranger Justin Mullens has stirred up awareness in the current big band jazz scene without so much as a warning. But his first CD, Fresh S…
14 May
I Wish You Peace by Paul Dunmall Moksha Big Band
Friday, 14 May 2004
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Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
British saxophone giant Paul Dunmall’s 50th birthday present came in the form of fronting his inaugural big band album, due to the backing of BBC Radio 3 and a booking agen…
13 May
Indivisible by John Hart
Thursday, 13 May 2004
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Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Jazz meets jazz within the contemporary music idiom. And, it's love @ 1'st sight! Jazz guitarist John Hart offers us an interesting panoply of his originals plus several 'c…
12 May
Travelling Lights by François Carrier
Wednesday, 12 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
François Carrier has continued his explorative work on Justin Time Records with both Canadian and avant-garde American jazz musicians. This time, none other than Paul Bley …
10 May
Find the Burrow and Bury Your Head by Numinous Opposum
Monday, 10 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Featuring one of the original founders of the heralded saxophone quartet ROVA - reedman Andrew Voight, this trio sets upon a path, brimming with dispersed energy amid free …
10 May
Revelation by Hugh Ragin
Monday, 10 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Hugh Ragin continues to overcome considerable odds to become one of the leading musicians carrying on the tradition of avant-garde trumpet. For one thing, he lives in Denve…
09 May
The Visible by Alberto Pinton Quintet
Sunday, 09 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Italian multi-reed virtuoso, Alberto Pinton flexes some serious muscle here, especially when performing on either baritone sax or contra-alto clarinets. He fronts a Scandin…
08 May
Translinear Light by Alice Coltrane
Saturday, 08 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
There’s something about the Coltrane name that lets you know you’re in for something special. A bit otherworldly, perhaps, but special nonetheless.Alice Coltrane, collab…
08 May
Treading Air, Breathing Fire by Jeff Marx
Saturday, 08 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Jeff Marx has released his second album as a leader, but with his approximately thirty years in the jazz scenes of various cities in the United States, you wonder what took…
07 May
Composance by Michael Bisio Trio
Friday, 07 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Aside from the natural beauty, relative political conservatism (except for Portland, Eugene & Seattle), and high percentage of rainfall, one doesn't hear much about the Pac…
02 May
Beyond Babylon by Paul Brody's Sadawi
Sunday, 02 May 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Trumpeter Paul Brody extends this New York based record label’s legacy of melding traditional klezmer music with a jazz and improvisational slant. The quintet and guest acc…
29 Apr
The Best Of Eric Dolphy by Eric Dolphy
Thursday, 29 April 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
By the early sixties, when these tracks were recorded, Eric Dolphy had paid considerable dues. He gigged for a decade in LA, including a stint with Chico Hamilton. and then…
29 Apr
Material by Cornelius Cardew
Thursday, 29 April 2004
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Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Under the direction of respected music journalist/musicologist Art Lange, these predominately, Chicago area musicians explore material composed by the late, British compose…
23 Apr
Devotion by Courtney Pine
Friday, 23 April 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
No one artist appraises the restrictions of textbook Jazz with such strong fervor than saxophonist and innovator of style Courtney Pine. With his ninth studio album release…
19 Apr
Apparitions by Stan Adler - Paul Chauncy - Jon Lloyd - Rob Palmer - Ph
Monday, 19 April 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
The press release states that this is a new band, whereas violinist/electronics ace, Philipp Wachsmann may loom as a more recognizable name to the avant-improvisation advoc…
17 Apr
Transition Sonic by Matthias Lupri Group
Saturday, 17 April 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Matthias Lupri has always been one to take chances, fearlessly recruiting adventurous saxophonist George Garzone for his first Birdleg Records CD, Shadow Of The Vibe,
17 Apr
Harmony and Abyss by Matthew Shipp
Saturday, 17 April 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Continuing the Blue Series, Thirsty Ear once again has released a superb recording with keyboard artist, pianist and composer Matthew Shipp at the helm. Performing with him…
15 Apr
In Winds, In Light by Anders Jormin
Thursday, 15 April 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
ECM Records continues to highlight the often-cerebral works of Scandinavian jazz-based modernists. With that, Swedish bassist Anders Jormin signifies perhaps one of the mor…
14 Apr
Evening Falls by Jacob Young
Wednesday, 14 April 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
This release marks thirty-four year old Norwegian guitarist, Jacob Young's inaugural ECM release. Featuring, time-honored drummer Jon Christensen this Scandinavian quintet …
13 Apr
Rules of Invisibility: Volume 1 by John O'Gallagher - Masa Kamaguchi - Jay Rosen
Tuesday, 13 April 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Alto & soprano saxophonist John O’Gallagher’s star has risen! Simply put, he’s a major talent. As this trio date substantiates that notion in rather beaming fashion. The sa…
10 Apr
Ko Ko Ko Ke by Natsuki Tamura
Saturday, 10 April 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Natsuki Tamura's Ko Ko Ko Ke is the type of album that will be interpreted differently by each individual who listens to it. For me, in fact, each playing of the CD …
09 Apr
Live at Jazz de Opus by Prime Numbers
Friday, 09 April 2004
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Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Prime Numbers, a trio featuring bassist Jonas Tauber, has captured the perfect blend of live jazz, exploratory meanderings, and a cohesive structure that makes this CD a mu…
09 Apr
Memory/Vision by Evan Parker: Electro-Acoustic Ensemble
Friday, 09 April 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
This latest installment of saxophonist Evan Parker’s "Electro-Acoustic Ensemble" commemorates Charles Arthur Muses’ philosophies pertaining to Chronotopology. Hence, the no…
05 Apr
Latitude by Groundtruther
Monday, 05 April 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Anyone expecting anything but the unexpected will likely be bothered and bewildered by Groundtruther's maiden voyage Latitude. Groundtruther is a more-than-the-sum-o…
04 Apr
Napolis Walls by Louis Sclavis
Sunday, 04 April 2004
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Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
French multi-reedman Louis Sclavis renders a musical portraiture of artist Ernest Pignon- Ernest’s charcoal and silkscreen drawings, placed on various walls througho…
01 Apr
Alder Brook by Evan Parker and September Winds
Thursday, 01 April 2004
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Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Saxophone great, Evan Parker aligns with the Swiss, "September Winds," quartet for this live recording that lucidly mirrors the cover art image of a contoured canyon. Essen…
01 Apr
Two Dreams by Odean Pope Quartet
Thursday, 01 April 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Tenor saxophonist Odean Pope along with bassist Tyrone Brown gained recognition performing/recording with legendary drummer Max Roach. However, the aforementioned stylists …
31 Mar
Latitude by Groundtruther
Wednesday, 31 March 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Thirsty Ear has produced another high quality recording called LATITUDE, by the duo, Groundtruther, drummer Bobby Previte and guitarist Charlie Hunter, with guest saxophoni…
31 Mar
Apropos of Nothing by Thoth Trio
Wednesday, 31 March 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Free jazz is, without a doubt, the most difficult style of jazz to negotiate. It is, as Evan Parker has said, done best when performed by musicians who have spent a great d…
30 Mar
Free Jam by Mongezi Feza
Tuesday, 30 March 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
The late Mongezi Feza is a quite rightly legend in UK free jazz circles, and he also appeared in the "overlap zone" between the jazz and creative rock circles in the Britis…
29 Mar
Follow Me by Jean-Michel Pilc
Monday, 29 March 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Jean-Michel Pilc moved to the U.S. from Paris to carve out a career as a jazz pianist, and he has done remarkably well, capturing the attention of journalists, winning awar…
29 Mar
Variety Orchestra by Brian Woodbury
Monday, 29 March 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Brian Woodbury’s release entitled "Variety Orchestra" is a like a traveling medicine show of tonics and herbal remedies, dried road kill, and anything else he can find alon…
27 Mar
Gatewalks by Dave Fox Group
Saturday, 27 March 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Here is an East Coast based quartet that navigates a wide spectrum of sound and ideas, without becoming indulgent or bombastic. There are some ethereal dreamscapes, yet the…