Galina Ustvolskaya - Piano Sonatas (Markus Hinterhäuser)

Pain and anguish, in the form of six sonatas.

Very dark, atonal piano works have become a recent interest of mine, and so far this is a stand-out. The dynamic range is huge, and the slight amount of reverb on the recording suits particularly well with the overall vibe. The fragile melodies and thunderously dissonant chords create a truly disturbing atmosphere. They have done particularly well choosing the cover art.


Piano Sonatas

William Parker - Sound Unity

Another great album from Mr Parker, which sees him and his quartet keeping themselves relatively restrained this time around. It's still tending towards avant-garde rather than just post-bop, but it's nowhere near as free as some of his other work. That's not to say it's any worse, or any better for that matter, just a different style. Sound Unity is a fascinating record.


Sound Unity

Insect Warfare - World Extermination

Don't know how I have posted this yet.

One of the greatest grind albums ever.


World Extermination

Art Ensemble of Chicago - Les Stances a Sophie

An avant-garde jazz soundtrack? Probably the coolest idea ever.

Great stuff here, as it's easy enough for the jazz newcomer to dig as well as those who are well acquainted with the avant-garde.

These guys are an important group, I'll be sure to post more of their stuff in the future.


Les Stances a Sophie

Andrew Hill - Point of Departure

See that line-up?

Yeah. Look closely. All those guys are on this album.

Yeah I know man, 'holy shit!' and all that nonsense. Album rules.


Point of Departure

Unsane - Unsane

A somewhat overlooked album/band that nonetheless have enjoyed a strong cult-like following... sounds familiar, doesn't it?

Unsane are a trio from NYC who have been going for over 20 years, and this self-titled album is their debut from 1991. Their noisy brand of punk has influenced quite a few other bands, and I assure you that listening to this album will provide many 'hey this kinda sounds like...' moments. Anyone with an interest in punk, in any of its forms, should get acquainted with this release.


Unsane

William Parker - Double Sunrise Over Neptune

Ok it's definitely overdue - I really need to post some William Parker.

Modern avant-garde extraordinaire, bassist William Parker has been keeping the flame burning for all things free and avant-garde in todays somewhat diminishing jazz realm. He gained attention by working with saxophonist Peter Brötzmann, and has since worked with an enormous amount of talented people across the globe. The last couple of decades has seen him rise to prominence with many albums as leader under his belt.

This album here is somewhat in the meditative style of Pharoah Sanders and Alice Coltrane, with a large ensemble playing repetitive figures of eastern influence. Awesome playing all round, and the vocals which at first seem like a bad idea, turn out to fit quite well.


Double Sunrise Over Neptune

Don Cherry - Symphony for Improvisers

Another gem of great ensemble work from Don Cherry. Same kind of idea as Eternal Rhythm; a two-part avant excursions into strange territories with fantastic results.


Symphony for Improvisers

Don Cherry - Eternal Rhythm

Amazing group work here. Cherry's work with the group improv adds a little bit of south east asian flavour to the similar kind of large ensemble free jazz that Coltrane and Coleman had practiced on Ascension and Free Jazz respectively.


Eternal Rhythm

Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre - Humility in the Light of the Creator

Fantastic stuff right here. Great avant-garde sections, free sections, and all round spiritual fervour.

A must if you dig that kind of stuff (and if you don't then you should).


Humility in the Light of the Creator