Performances like these are often called “spontaneous compositions” but in the case of Dave Rempis’ Kuzu, they’re often spontaneous combustions.

‘New York United’ is a balance between the unpredictable and the mulled over, between live performance and dreamy, electronic production values.

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.

Wendy Eisenberg is elbowing her way to the vanguard of guitarists who radically rethink the guitar as Machinic Unconscious Trio proves that she can shine in the company of New York’s best.

As an old school guy who thrives in the outer reaches of jazz, Andrew Lamb leads another formidable trio date ‘Casbah of Love’ with a lot of both head and heart.

Ryan A. Miller’s ‘Atrophy Torque Fly’ thrives in its uniqueness.

David Dominique shows a creative zeal for using traditional jazz as a springboard into the abyss, much as Mingus, Kirk and Lacy did.

Before any of those seminal recordings by the AACM family could happen, Roscoe Mitchell’s ‘Sound’ needed to.

The way a chamber string trio is being used by the Brandon Seabrook Trio for ‘Convulsionaries’ is bonafide wack. It’s akin to G.G. Allin hosting ‘Masterpiece Theater.’

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.