Jazz & Improvisation / All styles

2 separate performances from 1986 & 1990 show Sun Ra & friends in trademark improvisational spaciness, playing tracks like "The Shadow World," "Space Is The Place/We Travel The Spaceways" & "Interstellar Low Ways". Recorded in 1986 and 1990.

Sun Ra presents a fun-filled & strange live album that pays tribute to Walt Disney with a few songs from his movies, inc. "Zip A Dee Doo Dah," "High Ho, High Ho" & "Whistle While You Work" Recorded in Austria in 1989.

The cosmic musical scientist presents a 7 track live performance made in 1983 in Utrecht, inc. the cuts "Love In Outer Space/Space Is The Place," "Round Midnight" & "Along Came Ra". Recorded live in Utrecht, The Netherlands in 1983.

For the last five years Trunk Records have been issuing the great, lost work of pioneering British composer Basil Kirchin. Here is his last album, completed only a couple of weeks before he passed away in late 2005. It proves that Kirchin, even in his mid-'70s, was still very much an experimentalist at the top of his odd game. Kirchin invented ambient music and set the template to which much of today's avant garde music sounds like. Highlights of Particles are many -- "The Atonals" for example, …

First ever UK CD release for this classic album from the master percussionist & ambient musician -- remastered from the original tapes. Extensive booklet with liner notes & fully restored artwork. Stomu Yamash'ta is a master percussionist who studied jazz drumming at Berklee School of Jazz. In the 1970s, he recorded a string of innovative albums for Island Records which utilized the talents of such leading musicians as Hugh Hopper, Maurice Pert, Steve Winwood, Michael Shrieve and Klaus Schulze, …

This is the first chance to hear a recently discovered recording from Command All Stars, a project involving widely recognized musicians from Keith Tippet Group, Soft Machine and King Crimson, among others. In February 1972, a group of young jazz musicians gathered in London's Command Studios, with producer Robert Fripp, to record a double album intended for Ronnie Scott's productions. The cast, consisting of pianist Keith Tippet, saxophonist Elton Dean, trombonist Nick Evans, trumpeter Mark Cha…

Pharoah Sander's classic 1964 session, his first as a leader. Remastered from the original tapes and presented here for the first time with insightful and entertaining interview clips detailing Pharoah's early experiences as a young musician in New York. Includes over thirteen minutes of previously unreleased interviews with Pharoah Sanders and ESP-Disk founder/CEO Bernard Stollman. Pharoah Sanders (tenor saxophone); Stan Foster (trumpet); Jane Getz (piano); William Bennett (bass); Marvin Pattil…

Since last year, those titles had been a hold by various matters but ONJO (Otomo Yoshihide's New Jazz Orchestra) Live CD are finally released at last. Those essential titles, 2CDs x 2 sets are organized various Live performances and indicate the future ONJO. The sound of ONJO contains every connection between tone, onkyo, sonority, melody, rhythm and so on. Disc 1 : Shichinin no Keiji (Berlin + Tokyo), Gazzelloni (Kyoto), Te recuerdo Amanda > Song For Che > Reducing Agent (Tokyo), Super Jetter (…

Since last year, those titles had been a hold by various matters but ONJO (Otomo Yoshihide's New Jazz Orchestra) Live CD are finally released at last. Those essential titles, 2CDs x 2 sets are organized various Live performances and indicate the future ONJO. The sound of ONJO contains every connection between tone, onkyo, sonority, melody, rhythm and so on. Disc 1 : Lost In The Rain (Berlin), Out To Lunch (Tokyo), Playgirl BGM (Berlin + Tokyo), Double Command II (Tokyo), Single Command (Tokyo), …

No one navigates a stormy sea and subsequent repose quite like avant garde pilot Pharoah Sanders. We are invited here to join the personnel in transcendental affirmations of peace, reassured by the yodeling of Leon Thomas and happy, revelatory ...    Full Descriptionpiano work of the one and only Lonnie Liston Smith. Chimes, African thumb piano, and the talking hourglass drum are just some of the other elements which make this album musically and culturally compelling. The compositional minimali…

Digitally remastered by Erick Labson (MCA Music Media Studios). Hannibal Marvin Peterson's trumpet and Pharoah's tenor screech out of the melody in accord--their amity is in the process and the product.. Characteristic of Pharoah's other ...    Full Descriptionwork at this time, "Black Unity" rides an often static bass figure. In this way, while the improvisations may evoke the reflective or the frantic, an assertive central theme pervades in the lower register: determination (Does "A Love Supre…

In 1966, she replaced pianist McCoy Tyner in her husband John Coltrane's group. Coltrane's work became a spiritual wellspring for her, but she surely developed her own style on piano, organ, harp, and later, Indian instruments such as the tamboura. After Coltrane's death in 1967, Alice began recording under her own name for Impulse!, leading groups that included at various times saxophonists Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp, Joe Henderson, Frank Lowe, and Carlos Ward, double bass players Cecil McBe…

Anthony Braxton's 9 Compositions (Iridium) 2006 is a nine-CD-plus-one-DVD box set documenting what Time Out New York called "last Spring's epochal run" at New York's Iridium Jazz Club with his 12+1tet. Described by Braxton as "THE point of definition in my work thus far," these concerts featured the world premieres of Compositions 350 through 358, the final works in his Ghost Trance Music series, recorded over the course of this rare four-night stand on an American stage. Included with the music…

Onze Danses Pour Combattre la Migraine (French for "Eleven Dances for Fighting Migraine") is the debut album by Belgian avant-garde rock band Aksak Maboul. It was largely the work of one of the band's co-founders, Marc Hollander and was credited to Marc Hollander/Aksak Maboul. It was released on LP in 1977 on a Belgian independent record label, Kamikaze Records, and later re-released twice on Hollander's own Crammed Discs label: on LP in 1981, and on CD in 2003. Onze Danses Pour Combattre la Mig…

An album properly realized for an the 'Arte Aborigena Australiana' exhibit, organized by Galleria Bolzani, Milano. Stefano Scala is a researcer and musician with a great experience in antropology and ethnic instruments collected all over the world.

Here it is, the Mosaic’s awesome Anthony Braxton set, The Complete Arista Recordings, is a long-awaited dream-come-true for fans of the jazz avant-garde. The set’s liner notes were written by musician and scholar Mike Heffley, who gave Mosaic a draft that was twice as long as what they were able to use. Anthony Braxton is the sort of artist who triggers those heated “Is it jazz?” debates; whatever his music is, it is brilliant. By the time he signed with Arista Records in 1974 at the age of 29, …

French bassist Joëlle Léandre is one of a relatively few women pioneers on the Free Jazz and Improvised Music scene to earn a legendary status. Her activities on the scene have brought her in contact with the most distinguished performers, both European and American (such as Anthony Braxton). She also worked in the field of contemporary Classical music with composers like Pierre Boulez and John Cage. in 2007 Joëlle visited Israel and her Live performances there have been recorded and are now iss…

Soul Jazz Records are releasing for the first time-ever a long lost cult classic of French New Wave cinema on DVD. Les Stances a Sophie has been out of print for over 30 years and this is its first release ever outside of France. Filmed in Paris in 1970, this fully-subtitled film features killer music, groovy clothes and post-1968 revolutionary ideals. This super-rare film is now perhaps best known for its soundtrack from the legendary Art Ensemble of Chicago (who also feature in the film). The …

"Their music reaches from blues to jazz into space," proclaimed the original liner notes to this highly unusual psychedelic jazz blast, originally released in 1968. The demented seven-piece band hailed from Boston, which was in the throes of the notorious "Bosstown hype" when their album was recorded. Though it can be compared to contemporary acts such as Captain Beefheart and Blood Sweat & Tears, it has a distinctive sound of its own, blending howling vocals, biting electric guitar and avant-ga…

Chronologically beginning the label's in-depth survey of the lesser-known psychedelic era of Sun Ra (1968-1971), these discs were painstakingly mastered from first and second generation passes of Michael Wilderman's original recordings and sound better than any collector has ever heard them previously. The Electric Circus show features an unknown female singer who was with the group prior to June Tyson. The Arkestra on stage at Newport cover photo is published in high resolution for the first ti…

The Thing was originally formed in 2000 to play concerts and record music based around Don Cherry's compositions, along with original compositions. They've since played and recorded with Joe McPhee, with whom they released 3 albums, and joined with the Norwegian rock band Cato Salsa Experience for one album, again with Joe McPhee. Over the years they've expanded their repertoire to include work by Frank Lowe, James Blood Ulmer, Norman Howard, and rock bands like The White Stripes, Yeah Yeah Yeah…

Firmly-established as one of Britain's leading saxophonists and flautists, Ray Warleigh is perhaps best-known for his contributions to albums by Nick Drake, Elton John, Paul McCartney, U2 and many others. This 1969 bachelor pad classic was produced by Scott Walker (for whom he acted as musical director), and features a plethora of renowned musicians, including Gordon Beck, Harry South, Terry Cox and James Galway. Never previously available on CD, it comes complete with rare photographs and compr…

William Parker's Quartet is the premier outlet for his (and their) immense and timeless talents. The group's first two albums are universally recognized as still-revealing exemplars of modern music. Here now is the third album -- Petit Oiseau aka 'Little Bird' -- a wholly new set of melodically, harmonically and rhythmically advanced compositions rendered by one of the greatest jazz bands the world has yet had the good fortune to bear witness to. Insinuating melodies and counter-melodies, layers…

Arguably the single-most important landmark in European free music: the original BRO Records LP restored to its '68 format, with two alternate takes, new liner notes by Brötzmann and John Corbett -- PLUS the only live version of 'Machine Gun' ever recorded. In 1968, there was a palpable sense of optimism in the air. This in spite of the fact that the shitheads seemed to have the upper hand, with the quagmire of Vietnam, the intractability of the American struggle for Civil Rights, Martin Luther …

An outstanding box, documenting the early 80's impro/experimental scene fro Russia - almost 10 hours of music, housed in a lavishly packaged box, with a 32 pages full color booklet, considered by the label itself as the most important release of the entire Leo Records catalogue "In a way the document is not only a summing up of a decade of new music in the USSR. It is also a summing up of Leo Records' activity during these ten years. The advances of Soviet new music were tremendous in spite of t…

very rare, long out of print studio recording from 1982. This marks the recording debut of John Tilbury (piano) in the group, plus the now reunited core of Prévost and Keith Rowe (guitar, electronics). Absolutely stunning improvisational "noise" from a very serious standpoint ensemble. One copy only available, new and unplayed

rare original LP, recorded live in London on 1/10/87. Prévost, Rowe, Tilbury, and Rohan de Saram (cello). The organic control of sound on this disc is spectacular; pretty much a must for serious listeners worldwide. One copy only available, new and unplayed

Alex Ward (clarinet), Alexander Hawkins (piano), Dominic Lash (double bass), Paul May (percussion). An improvising quartet comprising four excellent young improvising musicians based in London and Oxford, none of whom have ever been to the outer London suburb of Barkingside. Two complete performances from concerts at Cambridge University and the 2007 Freedom Of The City festival in London.

Tom Djll (trumpet, pocket cornet & preparations), Matt Ingalls (Bb clarinet, bass clarinet), Frédèric Blondy (piano), John Shiurba (electric guitar), George Cremaschi (double bass & electronics), Lê Quan Ninh (surrounded bass drum), John Bischoff (electronics), Tim Perkis (electronics), Gino Robair (energized surfaces & voltage made audible). Tom Djll put this electro-acoustic improvising nonet together when Frédèric Blondy and Lê Quan Ninh were visiting the San Francisco area, resulting in some…

Separately they are three of the best improvising musicians Melbourne has to offer. Together they're a force to be reckoned with. Bob Baker Fish, Cyclic Defrost, Australia. Pateras-Baxter-Brown is, absolutely, one of the best radical improvisation ensembles currently in circulation and I would not hesitate in citing them to the flank of historical formations of the Braxton, Jenkins, Smith & McCall quartet, the Bailey, Guy & Rutherford trio or the New Group Consonanza. Awesome!!!!!!

 Chicago pianist Sun Ra emerged as a leader on the jazz scene early in 1956, when he assembled a group of neo-boppers that contributed to the original and exciting jazz sound offered by his new Sun Ra Arkestra, a medium-sized group that swung like a giant locomotive, an effect primarily due to an interesting use of two basses playing simultaneously.They featured the power of big band ensemble along with the excitement of combo blowing by fine soloists, among them the driving tenor John Gilmore, …

This outstanding DVD includes a memorable live performance by the most influential avant-garde jazz band of the 70s and 80s, the Art Ensemble of Chicago. The primary innovators in the fusion of traditional African and African American music with European performance art, the AEC are legendary for their inimitable stage shows.Dressed up in African costumes, odd masks and colorful face paint, the group transports its audience through time and space on eight brilliantly improvised tunes. With a wea…

One of the rarest Art Ensemble albums ever -- an obscure recording issued only briefly by the equally obscure Calloway Records in France. The set's got a spare, moody feel to it -- and seems to use a bit more stringed instruments than on some of the group's other recordings -- especially on the longer track "Dance ", which matches the usual basswork of Malachi Favors with some additional violin or cello stylings, possibly performed by the rest of the group -- although the cover's not much on not…

A well-regarded and influential group with saxophonist John Surman and two expatriate American musicians, bassist Barre Phillips and drummer Stu Martin.

Eichenberger directs the musicians to change what they are doing, but not what to. The result is an hour-long performance with many changes, and surprises. Marianne Schuppe & Dorothea Schürch (voices), Carlos Baumann (trumpet), Paul Hubweber (trombone), Carl Ludwig Hübsch (tuba), Markus Eichenberger (clarinets), Dirk Marwedel (extended saxophones), Helmut Bieler-Wendt (violin), Charlotte Hug (viola), Peter K Frey & Daniel Studer (double basses), Frank Rühl (electric guitar) & Ivano Torre (percus…

Portraits is a sprawling, ambitious work composed by bassist Barry Guy that brings together musicians from across the British jazz/improv spectrum, from free music luminaries Evan Parker, Paul Rutherford, and Phil Wachsmann to somewhat more jazz-based players such as Paul Dunmall and Trevor Watts. The album contains seven main "portraits," each distinct from the next, which are tailored to spotlight the various soloists as well as the different smaller working units contained within the larger 1…

The problem that besets British jazz - from Ray Noble and Ronnie Scott to Barbara Thompson and Andy Sheppard - is light-music, 'Radio 2' gentility; in Germany it is what Michael Kator (describing the results of the Nazi ban on "hot Jewish music") called "the bane of German jazz, the dreaded 'um-papa' sound". Here, four free music veterans from East Berlin (Ernst-Ludwig Petrowsky, alto; Ulrich Gumpert, piano; Connie Bauer, trombone; Günter Sommer, percussion) have decided to ease up, let some 'da…

Recorded in 1978, In The Midst Of Chaos is this western CT free-jazz group's only release. It would become improv jazz sax player Paul Flaherty's 1st record, who, as a youth, was smitten by the world, it's creator and Pharoah Sanders. Chaos is also the only release of legendary guitarist Barry Greika, who, along with bassist Bob Laramie and drummer Glen 'Hobbit' Peterson, remain the most under - recorded trio in history. A screamin', howlin', blisterin', slap of a record that defies categorizati…

Trio improvisations recorded at the Eremita de la Anunciada, Urueña, Spain, August 2007. Esteban Algora (accordion), Alessandra Rombolá (flute and tiles installation) and Ingar Zach (percussion) - three Madrid-based improvisers creating music where the room became a fourth member of the group. An entirely acoustic affair. The title, taken from a poem by Pablo Neruda, suggests the use of the space where the recording was made - an old stone church where the instruments amplify and extend the pote…

Braxton concentrated heavily on duo performance during this period, and this was one of the happiest of his associations. ...warmly recommended.