31 Jan
Hear and Now by William Gagliardi Quintet
Saturday, 31 January 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Saxophonist William Gagliardi plays a prominent role within this record label’s mission statement, featuring audiophile recording techniques and jazz-based improvisation. A…
29 Jan
Emphasis & Flight 1961 by Jimmy Giuffre - Paul Bley - Steve Swallow
Thursday, 29 January 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
This seminal trio blossomed at a time when Ornette Coleman and like-minded pioneers were redefining the nature of jazz music. Ultimately, noted journalist Art Lange provide…
28 Jan
Easy Living by Enrico Rava
Wednesday, 28 January 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
World-class trumpeter Enrico Rava has demonstrated ease of comfort within hard-bop circles, mainstream, ethereal vistas, and journeys into the freer side of matters. With h…
24 Jan
Live at the Tampere Jazz Happening 2000 in Finland by Kidd Jordan / Joel Futterman / Alvin Fielder Trio
Saturday, 24 January 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Improvised music comes forth in true form in the recording of the performance of The Kidd Jordan, Joel Futterman and Alvin Fielder Trio at the Tampere Jazz Happening in Fin…
23 Jan
Selected Recordings: rarum by John Surman
Friday, 23 January 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
The great British saxophonist hand-picked these selections culled from his lengthy discography - as a sideman and leader - for Germany’s ECM Records. As part of the record …
22 Jan
Suite For Helen F. by Ivo Perelman Double Trio
Thursday, 22 January 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Brazilian powerhouse, saxophonist Ivo Perelman dedicates this 2-CD production to American painter Helen Frankenthaler. It’s a double trio affair, as the saxophonist finds h…
21 Jan
I, Claudia by The Claudia Quintet
Wednesday, 21 January 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Whether in a supporting role or as a leader, John Hollenbeck’s method of jazz drumming is unequal parts exactitude, and wit, enhanced by a polyrhythmic composure. However, …
18 Jan
High Water by El - P
Sunday, 18 January 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Released by Thirsty Ear, in another issue of the Blues Continuum series, is HIGH WATER, a collaborative effort between producer and composer, EL-P, and a stellar sextet whi…
17 Jan
A Tribute to Bud Powell by Crazeology
Saturday, 17 January 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
As the title of the CD suggests, this is a tribute to Bud Powell. In spirit, more than a concern for replication, this piano-less trio sustains a noble effort throughout wi…
14 Jan
Zephyros by Satoko Fujii Quartet
Wednesday, 14 January 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
ZEPHYROS is an enchanting surreal adventure. It is filled with the unusual, and is a creative success for the Satoko Fujii Quartet. This collection lights up the day & nigh…
13 Jan
Tuba Trios Revenge by Enzo Rocco with Giancarlo Schiaffini & Ettore Fioravant
Tuesday, 13 January 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Italian guitarist Enzo Rocco leads this trio of like-minded individuals through an interesting jazz-rock, and often spaced out program. Trombone and tuba hero Giancarlo Sch…
Fly is a new group made up of young players that have each established themselves individually. Bassist Larry Grenadier is well known for his associations with pianist Brad…
06 Jan
Birth by Keith Jarrett
Tuesday, 06 January 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
While output from the mammoth session that resulted in The Mourning Of A Star, El Juicio, and the subject of this review, Birth, was of uneven quality,…
04 Jan
Bremen To Bridgwater by Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of Breath
Sunday, 04 January 2004
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
The late pianist/composer/bandleader Chris McGregor was an important figure in UK jazz in the 1970s. A South African expatriate, McGregor organized tremendous bands from fe…
03 Jan
Time Will Tell by Dom Minasi
Saturday, 03 January 2004
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Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Releasing one CD per year since he astounded listeners with his unconventional perspective upon Duke Ellington’s music on Taking’ the Duke Out, Dom Minasi has been m…
21 Dec
Lenox Avenue by Bernard Santacruz
Sunday, 21 December 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Bernard Santacruz stlye is right off the bat on listening to the first track told me this was going to be very interesting and very good. His articulation and modality o…
15 Dec
Graduation by Graduation Trio
Monday, 15 December 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
This short, evidently untitled album by the Graduation Trio features just two lengthy tracks (each is about 20 minutes). This format is typical of the free, avant garde, co…
LSB is a trio from Sweden consisting of clarinet, drums and bass. Working from a strong desire to improvise, and with excellent sound to boot, this crafty trio touches a…
10 Dec
Darker by Adam James Wilson - Katt Hernandez - Arto Artinian
Wednesday, 10 December 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Avant-garde multi-instrumentalist Adam James Wilson is an improviser who procures microtonal concepts and action-based sound sculpting, influenced by experimentalists su…
10 Dec
Assumptions 2 by Julien Wilson Stephen Magnusson and Will Guthrie
Wednesday, 10 December 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Jazz musicians often give lip service to the true interaction between players in their group, but then don't deliver. Not so with the Australian trio of guitarist Stephe…
04 Dec
St. Louis Shoes by Greg Osby
Thursday, 04 December 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Greg Osby’s latest project is a reinterpretation of jazz standards by masters like Ellington and Monk and cover tunes by modern composers like Jack DeJohnette and Cassandra…
25 Nov
Direct by Esa Pietilä
Tuesday, 25 November 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
On his third CD, explorative Finnish saxophonist Esa Pietilä is performing with the fewest number of players yet, providing allowance for space as much as for sonic shapes.…
25 Nov
Trialogue by Lars Moller Jon Balke & Morten Lund
Tuesday, 25 November 2003
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Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Trialogue is a continually surprising and satisfying collaboration between three Scandinavian musicians: tenor man Lars Moller, keyboardist Jon Balke & drummer Morte…
23 Nov
The Free Session by Gorka Benitez
Sunday, 23 November 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
I'd never heard of Gorka Benitez. I'm not sure many people have. Perhaps his name is well known in insider jazz circles. After listening to this CD, "The Free Session", I w…
21 Nov
Big Five Chord by Jon Lundbom
Friday, 21 November 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Perhaps best described as avant-fusion, Jon Lunblom’s quintet drives toward a unique sound that hybridizes the outside playing characterized in avant-garde while remaining …
15 Nov
Ornette! by Ornette Coleman Quartet
Saturday, 15 November 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Originally issued in 1961 on Atlantic, ORNETTE! (recorded shortly after his revolutionary, then-controversial album FREE JAZZ) finds Coleman and company at the peak of thei…
14 Nov
Time Sign by Susanna Lindeborg's Mwendo Dawa
Friday, 14 November 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
On their most recent CD time sign, Susanna Lindeborg’s Mwendo Dawa provides a mix of avant garde music making and the electronic sounds drawn from jazz fusion. The S…
13 Nov
Whats Your Bag by GT2
Thursday, 13 November 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
GT2 consists of reedman Anders Lonne Gonseth & percussionist Ulrik Ibsen Thorsrud; What's Your Bag finds the Norwegian duo experimenting their way through 13 mostly …
03 Nov
Zach Brock and the Coffee Achievers by Zach Brock
Monday, 03 November 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Jazz violinists are few and far between, especially compared to, say, saxophonists or pianists, although a few like Regina Carter and Jean-Luc Ponty manage to carve out car…
29 Oct
American Tour - February 2002 Live by Carlo Actis Dato
Wednesday, 29 October 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
When not performing or recording with Italy’s revered "Italian Instabile Orchestra," multi-reedman Carlo Actis Dato pursues his solo career, in rather vigorous fashion. Dat…
25 Oct
Blisters by Joe Fonda & Gilbert Isbin
Saturday, 25 October 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
There are many reasons why oysters are usually served on the half-shell. For one, presentation is a factor--they just look better garnished and arranged around a plate that…
18 Oct
Rise Above by Skull Session
Saturday, 18 October 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Skull Session’s Rise Above offers everything the best of the free jazz world has to offer. It provides good licks, musicality, excitement, tenderness, contrast, and …
11 Oct
The Out Cry by Crockett Mitchell & Lancaster
Saturday, 11 October 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Byard Lancaster’s The Out Cry is a showcase for Mr. Lancaster’s prodigious talent for composition and his remarkable wizardry on the reeds and flute. More than half …
10 Oct
Dual Resonance by Hans Fjellestad Peter Kowald Dana Reason and Jason Ro
Friday, 10 October 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Dual Resonance is a pretty good example of what is called "Improvised Music" here in California. Tenor saxophonist Jason Robinson and pianists Hans Fjellestad and Da…
10 Oct
A Free Jazz Treatise Concerning Current Affairs by The James Tartaglia Trio + Voices
Friday, 10 October 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
A Free Jazz Treatise Concerning Current Affairs is a curious paradox; in attempting a musical response to the today's world, the James Tartaglia Trio + Voices perfor…
09 Oct
Intervista by Priska Walss - Gabriela Friedli
Thursday, 09 October 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Priska Walss brings a Swiss element to this largely, free-form duo setting, by incorporating an Alphorn into her palate. However most of the time, she’s performing on tromb…
06 Oct
Dr. Chad Guitar Festival Summer 1999 by Eugene Chadbourne
Monday, 06 October 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Guitarist Eugene Chadbourne organized a conglomeration of avant-garde guitarists for this little festival held at the New York City venue known as, "Tonic." It’s a 2-CD set…
02 Oct
The Now Beyond by Thom Gossage Other Voices
Thursday, 02 October 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
This brilliant quintet effort from Canadian drummer/percussionist Thom Gossage, Remi Boldue (alto saxophone), Frank Lozano (tenor and soprano saxophones and bass clarinet),…
29 Sep
Be Mine Tonight by Dean Roberts
Monday, 29 September 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
New Zealand-born, ex-NYC, Vienna-residing guitarist Dean Roberts is, like fellow travelers Elliott Sharp, Jim O’Rourke and John Zorn, a difficult fellow to pin down.... not…
27 Sep
Sorcerer Sessions by Matthew Shipp
Saturday, 27 September 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Thirsty Ear's Blue Series Continuum really seems to have brought out the best in pianist Matthew Shipp. Equilibrium, released in January of 2003, featured some of th…
24 Sep
How To Create Words by Grey Ghost
Wednesday, 24 September 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Recorded in Chicago by two adventure seeking instrumentalists, the music within this program sort of parallels the duo’s band moniker and album title. On this outing, Aram …
24 Sep
Crash Test by Palo Alto
Wednesday, 24 September 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
The Italian modern jazz quartet’s latest adventure is somewhat contemplative in scope, perhaps more so than its previous effort. The musicians’ serious-minded, loose groove…
23 Sep
Tempted To Smile by Fred Frith - Joelle Leandre - Jonathan Segel
Tuesday, 23 September 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
This recording represents a pairing of improvising luminaries: Bassist Joelle Leandre, guitarist Fred Frith and violinist/guitarist Jonathan Segel (of Camper Van Beethoven)…
22 Sep
Creative Orchestra Music - Chicago 2001 by Scott Rosenberg
Monday, 22 September 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
No doubt, Scott Rosenberg is an extremely adventurous Chicago, Il., based multi-reedman/composer. Having studied with modern jazz luminary Anthony Braxton, the artist’s cre…
22 Sep
Monsoon by William Hooker / Roger Miller / Lee Ranaldo
Monday, 22 September 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
There are a few different approaches to free improvisation: you can let it rip and rage as long and loud as you can [downside: numbing blare]; you can take the minimal rout…
21 Sep
Wide Unclasp by Moritz Eggert
Sunday, 21 September 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Here, pianist/composer Morris Eggert’s twelve compositions are influenced by the strange San Francisco area house occupied by the heiress to the Winchester (rifle) family a…
20 Sep
The Space Between by Rodrigo Amado - Carlos Zingaro - Ken Filiano
Saturday, 20 September 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
Recorded in Lisbon for this adventurous Portuguese record label, the trio defies genres here, although they do perpetuate a loosely minded, chamber-jazz climate. On this af…
19 Sep
Close Embrace of the Earth by Michalowski Khoury and Bukowski
Friday, 19 September 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
One of my top 10 of 2003, this is a mesmerizing work that showcases the musicianship of these three visionaries: Piotr Michalowski (alto and bass clarinet, baritone, tenor,…
17 Sep
Real Time Satellite Data by No Spaghetti Edition
Wednesday, 17 September 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
This enterprising, Norwegian avant-garde record label highlights the budding Scandinavian improvisational scene, along with artists from France and other regions of the wor…
16 Sep
Nothing is Wrong by Odean Pope & Khan Jamal Quartet
Tuesday, 16 September 2003
Published in
Free Jazz / Avante Garde - CD Reviews
A CIMP release called NOTHING IS WRONG features a quartet led by tenor sax man Odean Pope and vibist Khan Jamal. The group includes, on drums, Allen Nelson and, on bass, Ar…