Mujician was perhaps one of the greatest improvisational groups to come out of England, and this album shows them in peak form. The band consisted of clarinetist and saxophonist Paul Dunmall, backed by drummer Tony Levin (not the King Crimson bassist), bassist Paul Rogers (not the hard rocker), and Keith Continue Reading
Free Improvisation
Toshiyuki Tsuchitori & Ryuichi Sakamoto – Disappointment / Hateruma
The void left by Ryuichi Sakamoto’s passing is far too immense to ever be filled. One can hope for a reissue here and there, for some lost studio and live recordings to resurface, and for some demos and live tracks to pop up. However, this month, we’re graced with a little Continue Reading
A Handful of Dust – The Philosophick Mercury
A Handful of Dust were (are still?) the most radically weird of New Zealand bands. Ask legendary free-improv guitarist Alan Licht, who wrote a paean to this release: “Hahaha! Dude, don’t you realize you can keep the guitar out and twiddle knobs at the same time? Just ask Keith Rowe…or, Continue Reading
Yara Asmar – Everyone I Love Is Sleeping and I Love Them So So Much
I can’t pin down why, but Lebanese experimental music composer Yara Asmar’s latest album is almost heartbreaking in its beauty. I’ve never heard electroacoustic music that left such a deep emotional scratch. Sublime.
The Neshama Alma Band – Clearing Clouds of Confusion
Ernesto Diaz-Infante and his partner Marjorie Sturm offer a captivating improvisation featuring flute and guitar. This session unfolds at a slow and relaxed pace, allowing the mind to wander effortlessly to the soothing sounds of strumming and blowing. It’s a perfect accompaniment for a quiet Sunday.
George Christian – IMPROVISTOSURTOSCIRCUITOS
I enjoy the improvisational guitar playing of George Christian, but this release takes a different direction. It feels less like a complete improvisational album and more like demo tapes from a band inspired by the Velvet Underground. There are psychedelic elements throughout, giving it a primal quality.
Darja Kazimira (ft. Dagmar Gertot) – Ο θάνατος του Ταύρου (Death of The Bull)
Darja Kazimira’s music is among the most frightening and brutal I have heard in many years. Her work compares favorably to that of vocalists like Meredith Monk, Hatis Noit, Ute Wassermann, and our dear friend Anna Homler. However, Darja’s strength lies in her ability to combine haunting vocals with ritualistic Continue Reading
Li Song / Zhao Cong / Zhu Wenbo – Tangerine and the Invisible
Though I will be leaving China in a week from yesterday, I will not stop exploring what the country has to offer musically. From traditional and pop music to jazz, classical and avant-garde, there’s something for every taste here, and it’s generally done quite well. From the Ftarri Bandcamp site: Continue Reading
Petyaev-Petyaev – Отсутствие
The Petayev brothers create avant-garde jazz that defies the typical reputation of the genre. While their music has a dark undertone, it retains a playful spirit. Picture a band similar to the avant-progressive rock legends Art Zoyd, but with a greater sense of humor.
Jun-Yang Li,Xiao Liu,DJ誠意重,Buddha Tiger Dog – 樹 Sù Vol.3
We have a unique recording from Taiwan featuring DJ 誠意重, a turntablist in the style of Christian Marclay, Philip Jeck, and Otomo Yoshihide. He collaborates on this album with the band 神仙老虎狗 (Buddha Tiger Dog), which includes Jun-Yang Li playing self-made instruments and objects, and Xiao Liu on saxophone. This project showcases free improvisation with an interesting twist.