Jazz & Improvisation / Free Improvisation

Original 1982 double-LP set with gatefold sleeve on Incus featuring improvisations by various combinations of a large group of who's who of the international free improvisation scene, including Derek Bailey, Fred Frith, Akio Suzuki, Keith Tippett, George Lewis, etc..

Original 1983 LP set on Incus featuring trio improvisations by a large group of who's who of the international free improvisation scene, including Peter Brötzmann, Derek Bailey, Hugh Davies, Evan Parker, Vinko Globokar, Jamie Muir, etc..

Drummer, visual artist and one of the original European free jazz players, Sven-Åke Johansson was never willing to settle for a single route of exploration. As a musician and composer he appeared on key recordings for the legendary FMP, delivered marine weather reports for Edition Telemark, crooned love songs for Ultra Eczema and was at the heart of the recent free music revival in Berlin via Umlaut alongside Joel Grip and Axel Dörner. “My work is not actually jazz, but rather the exploration of…

Composer, clarinetist, singer and spiritual jazz soothsayer Angel Bat Dawid descended on Chicago's jazz and improvised music scene just a few years ago. In very short time, the potency, prowess, spirit and charisma of her cosmic musical proselytizing has taken her from relatively unknown improviser to borderline ubiquitous performer in Chicago's avant-garde. On any given night you can find Angel adding aura to ensembles led by Ben LaMar Gay, or Damon Locks, or Jaimie Branch, or Matthew Lux, or e…

This music was written in a period of intense emotions, as the grief and pain of losing my father tangled and fused with horror and despair at the genocide in Palestine – but life is complicated, and the music also comes from joy and love “Listening intently to raptors” is dedicated to the great bassist John Lindberg, and the title comes from an email correspondence we had during covid lockdown. “After a break” appeared fully formed after quite a long period of composer’s block, while listening …

Original 1971 American edition of Coxhill's diverse and bizarre debut double album, featuring among others David Bedford, Pierre Courbois, Burton Greene, Jasper Van't Hof, Robert Wyatt, Mike Oldfield and Kevin Ayers in disguise.

Origianl edition on Bead of Cusack's debut from 1977, a wonderful solo album of guitar and environmental sounds.

Original 1972 LP on the highly collectable Futura label and one of their best titles, percussive drums solo improvisations at their best.

First and only 2009 CD reissue on Schoolmap of 1977 LP by honourable trio of improvisers playing all kind of instruments and sound producing devices.

Original edition on FMP of the first album from 1973 by 'the' free jazz big band, featuring Peter Brotzmann, Peter Kowald, Paul Lovens, Evan Parker, Alex Schlippenbach, Paul Rutherford, Kenny Wheeler and a host of others.

Original 1977 album on Po Torch with gatefold sleeve by 'the' free jazz big band, featuring Peter Brotzmann, Albert Mangelsdorff, Anthony Braxton, Peter Kowald, Paul Lovens, Evan Parker, Enrico Rava, Alex Schlippenbach and a host of others.

Original German edition on Japo of the 1978 album by 'the' free jazz big band, featuring Peter Brotzmann, Derek Bailey, Albert Mangelsdorff, Peter Kowald, Paul Lovens, Evan Parker, Tristan Honsinger, Alexander von Schlippenbach and a host of others.

Original German edition on Japo of the 1980 album by 'the' free jazz big band, featuring Steve Lacy, Albert Mangelsdorff, Paul Lovens, Evan Parker, Alexander von Schlippenbach, Kenny Wheeler, Manfred Schoof, Enrico Rava and a host of others.

Original 1977 split LP on FMP with solo cello and double bass live improvisations. Never re-issued on either CD or LP.

Original 1981 LP with textured sleeve on Centro Attivita' Musicali / Materiali Sonori. Never re-issued on either CD or LP.

Rare second pressing with white labels from 1983 in original 1972 gatefold sleeve of one of the very early Incus releases from 1972, the revolutionary and monumental album by Barry Guy, Derek Bailey and Paul Rutherford.

Very rare first album on FMP's SAJ series from 1972, with silk-screened folded cover and innersleeve, and Johansson's uncompromising first solo album.

Occasionally, you find music outside the commercial mainstream, outside of everything – the music of visionaries, eccentrics, inventors, loners. Moondog, Daphne Oram, Harry Partch are from this mould. And so too is Lori Vambe.

Occasionally, you find music outside the commercial mainstream, outside of everything – the music of visionaries, eccentrics, inventors, loners. Moondog, Daphne Oram, Harry Partch are from this mould. And so too is Lori Vambe.

Original 1972 LP on Les Disques Pierre Cardin, with typical sleeve with round corners, of superb fusion / free improvisation by the French masters, never re-issued on either LP or CD.

Original 1979 LP (recorded 1976) on L'Escargot, of superb experimental fusion / free jazz by the French masters, never re-issued on either LP or CD.

Rare 1995 CD-only release on FMP of solo contrabass improvisations at their best.

Rare second pressing from 1978 of stunning album of out-there improvisations with electronics with Michel Waisvisz, Han Bennink and Maarten van Regteren Altena. One of I.C.P.'s very best and never re-issued on either CD individually or LP.

Very rare LP on Roaratorio limited to 399 copies with unique hand-painted sleeves by Judith Lindbloom, presenting Lacy's wildest recordings with electronics, one from from 1968 with Richard Teitelbaum and one from 1974 with Michel Waisvisz and Han Bennink.

Original 1970 edition on ECM of the landmark first album by the improvisation supergroup with electronics composed of Derek Bailey, Evan Parker, Jamier Muir and Hugh Davies, with Christine Jeffrey. Adventurous and essential.

Rare original 1976 edition on Incus of the second and last album, with recordings from 1969/70, by the improvisation supergroup with electronics composed of Derek Bailey, Evan Parker, Jamier Muir and Hugh Davies.

Rare original 1976 edition on Incus of the second and last album, with recordings from 1969/70, by the improvisation supergroup with electronics composed of Derek Bailey, Evan Parker, Jamier Muir and Hugh Davies.

Very rare original 1977 edition on Incus of superb classic album of British improvisation with electronics, featuring Ian Brighton, Barry Guy, David Bourne and Philipp Wachsmann.

Very rare original 1975 edition of Davie's own tiny ADMW Records of the outstanding duo's album of world music echoes, folk root allusions, musique concrète and pure improv.

Original 1976 edition on Incus of Parker's essential first solo album.

Rare second edition on Incus of the very adventurous 1972 first album by the towering imrpovisers' duo using electronics, pre-recordings and homemade instruments.

Excellent 1999 CD-only release by the Enseble featuring a.o. Philipp Wachsmann, Barry Guy, Walter Prati and Paul Lytton. With slipcase.

Original and only edition on Tangent of the 1973 album by John Stevens' and Trevor Watts' Ensemble featuring Derek Bailey, Dave Holland and Kenny Wheeler. With rare insert limited to copies exported to France. A classic never re-issued on either CD or LP.

1992 release **

2007 release ** "Obliquity is a free jazz record, if you'll forgive the use of such a hoary, old-fashioned phrase. Its scorching, heads-down momentum, rhythm and drive, places it in direct line of descent from the fierce originators of the genre: Albert Ayler, Pharoah Sanders, Milford Graves, and Frank Wright. It also swings. At times it dances. Obliquity is a free jazz record through the prism of the improvisational movement in Europe, though. This is no attempt at polite revivalism or looking …

1995 release ** "Choice-Chase dives into abstract guitar textures, looping soundscapes, and noise-based improvisation. A must-hear for those who appreciate avant-garde music that defies easy categorization."

Cruelty Bacchanal, the second release from guitarist Matt Hollenberg’s group Shardik, is a ferocious statement of intent. Years in the making and issued on John Zorn’s Tzadik label, the album presents a volatile and politically charged fusion of modern classical structure, metal intensity, and free jazz unpredictability. Hollenberg’s compositions are marked by intricate rhythmic architecture and an uncompromising sonic vision, alternating between explosive virtuosity and dark, layered atmosphere…

The third volume of duos between indefatigable tenorsaxophonist Ivo Perelman and adventurous trumpeter NateWooley is their most intimate encounter to date. Beginningwith mournful, almost undersea drones, it moves through avariety of subtly shifting moods, combining old-school jazzromanticism with the kind of nearly telepathic interaction thatonly a long-term creative relationship can inspire. Anyonewho’s enjoyed the first two volumes of this brilliant series willfind this latest dispatch to be a…

Jinya Disc presents an essential collection celebrating the multifaceted genius of Masayuki Takayanagi, featuring three pivotal recordings that span different periods and approaches in his revolutionary career. Holy Holly Holly captures Takayanagi's final "Angry Wave's" project in a vital 1985 live recording, featuring twin double basses creating oceanic depths beneath his razor-sharp guitar work. Stardust reunites three Japanese jazz pioneers in an intimate 1979 session, showcasing rare warmth …

Reese and the Smooth Ones was captured during the same revolutionary Paris session as Message to Our Folks, but stands apart as a two-part, 40-minute odyssey of unchained invention.