The electric-jazz foray ‘Fire Illuminations,’ like most Wadada Leo Smith albums, is not just another record. It’s another chapter in his fascinating, ongoing story.

Wadada Leo Smith’s ‘Sacred Ceremonies’ is a divine communion among legends, but it’s also yet another ambitious statement from an artist who produces lofty works with so many different accomplices on a regular basis.

Here is S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2018 list for avant garde jazz and experimental music, including releases by Wendy Eisenberg, Brandon Seabrook, David Dominique and others.

The upheaval seen in Washington and elsewhere since 2016 has amped up the political awareness of a lot of people, and Dave Douglas is no exception.

Henry Kaiser has long found spiritual fulfillment playing music informed by the ancient songs of Korean Shamanism. This time he finds further fulfillment in the comradery of musicians who like him understand the power of the mudang.

Teeming with guitars, Wadada Leo Smith’s ‘Najwa’ is one of those particularly bright moments in a catalog full of them.

Bill Laswell and the cast of characters assembled for this 57-minute jam aren’t the ordinary type.

For twenty minutes, ‘Funkcronomic’ captures that sweet core of George Clinton’s P-Funk innovations.

The progressive fusion supergroup Naked Truth had already gotten off to a nice start with their first two projects. Now with ‘Avian Thug’, they have have reached cruising altitude.

For his last proper album, unsung guitar hero Sonny Sharrock fully opened up the spigot of his potential. ‘Ask The Ages’ is nothing short of a masterpiece.