Patrick Shiroishi Explores Family History with the Arresting Calm of ‘Evergreen’
Japanese-American experimental multi-instrumentalist Patrick Shiroishi once again pays tribute to his heritage in this deeply moving new album, Evergreen.
experimental jazz
Trevor Dunn Defies Musical Categorization with the Spellbinding ‘Seances’
With the help of his longstanding trio and a chamber quartet, bassist/composer Trevor Dunn unleashes the messy, complex, and utterly mesmerizing Sèances.
Phillip Golub Gives Processed-Based Composition an Uncommon Warmth on ‘Filters’
Approached as neo-classical minimalist jazz, Filters is a triumphant solo debut from Phillip Golub and another fascinating album from greyfade.
‘The Futuristic Sounds of Sun Ra’ Gets Its Most Crucial Reissue
The Futuristic Sounds of Sun Ra hearkens back to Sun Ra’s big band roots and his determination to create a genuine exploration of otherworldly space.
Max Johnson Lets His Double Bass Weep on ‘Hermit Music’
Jazz bassist Max Johnson’s Hermit Music could be the soundtrack of Charles Mingus’ mid-1960s mental breakdown in a good way.
Battle Trance’s ‘Green of Winter’ Blends the Beautiful and Eerie With Saxophones
Battle Trance’s Green of Winter goes further down the rabbit hole of abstraction, minimalism, and impressionism while testing the limits of the saxophone.
Bassist Max Johnson Explores Different Jazz Angles on ‘Orbit of Sound’ and ‘Sketches’
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.
Travis Laplante’s ‘Wild Tapestry’ Embraces Unpredictability
Avant-jazz saxophonist Travis Laplante and the weather can be equally hard to predict. His latest stunning album, Wild Tapestry, combines both.
Toronto Jazz Octet Eucalyptus Expand Their Styles on ‘Moves’
When Eucalyptus move away from clearly-defined genres, they really come into their own. You’re not likely to encounter an album like Moves anytime soon.
Secret People Shake Up Modern Jazz with Experimentalism on Their Debut
Experimental jazz outfit Secret People’s sense of syncretism justifies their wacky list of influences on their debut album. You’re in for a treat.
Nala Sinephro’s First LP is One for the Pantheon of Cosmic Jazz Classics
Nala Sinephro’s Space 1.8 is minimalist, an understated electroacoustic gem perfect for late-night listening. It’s one for the pantheon of cosmic jazz classics.
Jessica Pavone Expands Her Canvas on ‘Lull’
This four-movement work stretches long-playing drones to tantric levels as Jessica Pavone searches for that finicky connection between music and emotion.
