From the BBE Bandcamp site: “This final volume features a selection of tracks that is as diverse as it is deep, reflecting the rich and varied Japanese jazz scene that spanned from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, a golden era of innovation and creativity. J Jazz volume 5 Continue Reading
Free Jazz
Jonah Parzen-Johnson & Lau Nau – A Few We Remember
From November 2025, we have a very good free improv release worth checking out. From Jonah Parzen-Johnson’s Bandcamp site: “A Few We Remember is the new album by Jonah Parzen-Johnson and Lau Nau. The recording debut for the new duo of Finnish composer Lau Nau, aka Laura Naukkarinen, and American Continue Reading
Masayuki Takayanagi New Direction Unit – Axis/Another Revolvable Thing
Blank Form Editions out of New York has reissued a concert by Japanese free jazz guitarist Masayuki “Jojo” Takayanagi from 1975. From their Bandcamp site: “Axis/Another Revolvable Thing is the second installment of Blank Forms’ archival reissues of the music of Japan’s eternal revolutionary Masayuki Takayanagi, following April is the Continue Reading
Petyaev-Petyaev – Incomparable Greatness
Brothers Peter Petyaev (saxophone) and Pavel Petyaev (guitar) released a collaborative album near the end of January 2026. It is free in its improvisational greatness but subdued in energy. This is not a nuclear blast of energy but a gentle romp that sounds active enough to be interesting without making your eardrums burst. Continue Reading
Love Unfold The Sun – Explode Yourself
Sometimes, a powerful dose of sound can be invigorating for the ears. Love Unfold The Sun is a band from New Mexico, led by my old friend Mustafa Stefan Dill. His guitar playing reminds me of John McLaughlin playing the oud, infused with the raw energy of Peter Brötzmann at 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.
David Mitchell – Turiyans
One of the wonderful aspects of running my blog is that talented and generous individuals often send unsolicited music submissions that impress me tremendously. A perfect example of this is the album by David Mitchell, who describes his work quite effectively: “A potent mix of Central Asian influences with free jazz Continue Reading
Anthony Braxton – Quartet (Bristol) 1985
One of America’s foremost saxophonists, Anthony Braxton, collaborates with Marilyn Crispell on piano, Mark Dresser on double bass, and Gerry Hemingway on percussion. This music is as free as it gets, but has a slight film-noir soundtrack feel in parts. Impressive.
Ivo Perelman & Tyshawn Sorey – Parallell Aesthethics
This release pairs Ivo Perelman and Tyshawn Sorey, two of the leading lights of the improv jazz scene. From the Fundacja Słuchaj Bandcamp site: “This year we are celebrating the 10th birthday of our label. On this occasion, we have prepared a lot of surprises and very unique musical offerings Continue Reading
A Second Life for The Avant-Jazz of Leo Records
Today is a travel day, so there will be no posts, but it seems Bandcamp has a great article on Leo Records. Leo Feigin was the man responsible for introducing me to people like my old friend Roman Stolyar, Sergei Belichenko, and the work of Sergei Kuryokhin, who I ended Continue Reading