Released 25 years ago, Philip Glass’ ‘Low Symphony’ wasn’t a note-for-note David Bowie redo, but a brilliant borrowing of themes for inspiration.

There have been times in the recent history of jazz when I thought that the MuseumAuthority™ would win out. You May Also Like: Bobby Avey – Inhuman Wilderness (2016) Ben Monder, Tony Malaby + Tom Rainey – ‘Live At the 55 Bar’ (2021) David Ake – Humanities (2018)

In a recent radio segment, NPR reported on an experiment conducted by University of Arkansas professor Elizabeth Margulis. You May Also Like: Philip Glass Transcended David Bowie’s Towering Influence on ‘Low Symphony’ Linda May Han Oh – ‘The Glass Hours’ (2023) On the Joy, and the Pain, of Pete Townshend’sRead More

When somebody says that a piece of music is “out there,” you’ve got to consider the source. If said person only listens to mainstream music (pop music from the radio, for example) then it wouldn’t take a lot to push them out of their comfort zone. You May Also Like:Read More

The 1970s No Wave movement spawned some dark, aggressive, and beautiful music. Do those adjective belong together? Of course! You May Also Like: Rhys Chatham – Pythagorean Dream (2016) When John Frusciante Returned to Solo Work on ‘Shadows Collide With People’

During his 2012 SXSW keynote address, Bruce Springsteen began a list of musical genres that had been born since the start of pop music. You May Also Like: Jack Bruce and Robin Trower found new success with old sounds on Seven Moons How Paul McCartney’s ‘Run Devil Run’ Served asRead More

She’s a composer. She’s a MacDowell Fellow. She’s a choreographer. The fact is, it’s kind of hard to define exactly what Meredith Monk does in a simple phrase. But no matter You May Also Like: Gregory Lewis, with Marc Ribot – Organ Monk Blue (2018) Witch ‘n’ Monk – ‘WitchRead More

For many years, any mention of Ravi Shankar would bring me all the way back to sixth grade. This was the year of a great discovery: the records that my sister left behind. You May Also Like: ‘The Beatles and India’ (2022): Movies Jack DeJohnette, with Ravi Coltrane and MatthewRead More

Everybody has their own definition of a “chill” record. But if ever there was a time when one was desperately needed, it would likely be when you are stranded on a faraway island — with nothing but a volleyball to keep you company. You May Also Like: Philip Glass TranscendedRead More

These ambient records aren’t necessarily the “best,” just ones I return to again and again when I’m in the mood to induce a zone state.