We like to write about this stuff like we know what we’re talking about — the history of the artist, the process involved, the relationship between the two. Well, there are times when we don’t know what the hell is going on. You May Also Like: Dan Weiss Trio –Read More

Edward Ricart and Nick Millevoi are guitarists who have staked their musical careers on the experimental fringes of metal and jazz You May Also Like: Nick Millevoi – Desertion (2016)

A lot of avant-garde bands will toss a bunch of disparate stuff together in hopes that they come up with exotic combinations that work. The Gunnelpumpers do that, too You May Also Like: The Smudges [Jeff Gauthier + Maggie Parkins], “The Gigue Is Up” (2022): Something Else! video premiere JaimieRead More

Whenever Peter Brötzmann brings his reeds, he brings the wood, too. That’s the case today just as much as it was the case during his career-defining Machine Gun days. You May Also Like: Peter Brotzmann, Majid Bekkas + Hamid Drake – ‘Catching Ghosts’ (2023) Peter Van Huffel’s Gorilla Mask –Read More

A trombone/keyboards/drums trio doesn’t guarantee that the music will be progressive, exciting or unique, but Brainkiller offers no such letdown. You May Also Like: Chicago + Al Green, “Tired of Being Alone” (1973): Saturdays in the Park

In years past, I’ve called this the “whack jazz” list and this time we’re going to call it “avant garde and experimental jazz,” but any music that goes too far outside the bounds of convention gets lumped into its own category. You May Also Like: Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog –Read More

Once in a while a major act known for creating some of the most melodious, listenable songs will shock us all and uncork a track that’s the polar opposite. The Beatles had their “Revolution 9,” Lou Reed had his Metal Machine Music and Pat Metheny his Zero Tolerance for Silence.Read More

When Billy Bang walked into a Helsinki studio in February of 2011 with trombonist Dick Griffin, pianist Andrew Bemkey, bassist Hilliard Greene and drummer Newman Taylor-Baker, he would be recording for the last time. You May Also Like: Matthew Shipp Trio – ‘World Construct’ (2022)

As members of Seattle’s vibrant, underrated improvised music scene, Kate Olsen and Naomi Siegel are rising stars there who have pooled their creative talents into the project Syrinx Effect. Olson plays soprano sax and Siegel the trombone, but there’s more to this duo than just two horns. You May AlsoRead More

Reut Regev’s ‘exploRing the vibe’ is a record that truly lives up to the title, as each song has a vibe.