As extremist minorities corrode social liberties, it’s time to take our rusting democratic values to Joe’s Garage where Frank Zappa waits with his sleeves rolled up.
Bassist Max Johnson gives us a traditional bop album recorded with two veteran musicians and a contemporary jazz LP with two younger but no less adventurous artists.
Experimentalist Matt DeMello throws his ample talents and wide-ranging tastes into a blender for ‘Confetti in a Coalmine’ which is full of chaotic, dense mirth.
Icelandic musician extraordinaire Björk finds a new outlet for artistic expression with a series of “body exploding” “unplugged”, orchestral performances.
Avant-jazz saxophonist Travis Laplante and the weather can be equally hard to predict. His latest stunning album, Wild Tapestry, combines both.
Released in May 1992, Walking on Thin Ice is a great primer for the kind of esoteric, avant-garde pop Yoko Ono forged in the 1970s.
Veteran jazz bassist Tyler Mitchell joins forces with fellow Sun Ra Arkestra alumnus on Dancing Shadows, a delightfully enjoyable sonic experience.
Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble’s Jason Köhnen wears his horror heart on his sleeve in the mixed media venture that is the Lovecraft Sextet’s debut In Memoriam.
On her debut solo album Quaking Aspen, Colombian-American soprano Stephanie Lamprea makes a bold artistic statement that’s exciting and innovative.
Soul Food is a stepping stone for Christopher Parker in finding his voice as a bandleader. It’s impressive that jazz this free can be played with so much restraint.
The soundtrack for Todd Haynes’ new documentary on Velvet Underground contains unimpeachable music but fails to offer a cohesive argument about the iconic band.
Steph Richards’ Zephyr is a beast that, in everyone’s interest, shouldn’t be tamed. Strange music is one thing in that it provides life with much-needed flavor.
