CD-Charts Position 121
Average Rating:

Sangam

CD-Charts > Music > Avant Garde and Free Jazz
by: Charles Lloyd

Release Date April 04, 2006
I just got this from my friend Charles Lloyd's office!

"The Nobel Committee has requested Charles Lloyd and SANGAM, with Zakir Hussain and Eric Harland to perform during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo on December 10th."

What a gig!
Bill Donoghue

CD-Charts Position 122
Average Rating:

Gentle Storm

CD-Charts > Music > Avant Garde and Free Jazz
by: Don Braden

Release Date July 15, 2008
I just got this from my friend Charles Lloyd's office!

"The Nobel Committee has requested Charles Lloyd and SANGAM, with Zakir Hussain and Eric Harland to perform during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo on December 10th."

What a gig!
Bill Donoghue

CD-Charts Position 123
Average Rating:

Bright Moments

CD-Charts > Music > Avant Garde and Free Jazz
by: Rahsaan Roland Kirk

Release Date September 28, 1993
In the Seventies, I was too into Miles and Coltrane. I missed Rahsaan Roland Kirk passing by. Huge energy. Dig in!

CD-Charts Position 124
Average Rating:

Sound Grammar

CD-Charts > Music > Avant Garde and Free Jazz
by: Ornette Coleman

Release Date September 12, 2006
1. The sound quality is sometimes poor, particularly the drumset, with the sounds of the individual instruments merging together in an indistinct mess. The audience applause after solos irritates me too.

2. The music is typically Ornette: as he's said in the past, in a sense he's been playing the same tune most of his career. In this live performance he continues the tradition, re-using his elegant licks: a type of bebop as a previous reviewer stated. Sure it may seem very old-fashioned by now but the soulful execution is usually timeless. (Mozart used an already well established musical language but trancended any need to develop it.)

There's very little of Coleman's idiosyncratic trumpet and violin work which ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 125
Average Rating:

Live at Birdland

CD-Charts > Music > Avant Garde and Free Jazz
by: John Coltrane

Release Date November 05, 1996
I have posted what I hope are at least thoughtful reviews of LIVE TRANE, the "COMPLETE" IMPULSE QUARTET recordings and the COMPLETE 1961 VILLAGE VANGUARD RECORDINGS...So let it not be said that I don't "understand" or appreciate Coltrane's genius.

But oh dear, goodness gracious, and, if I may add, heavens to Betsy. It seems I am the only one to rain on this particular parade, but (as I gingerly don my bulletproof vest) here goes...The three live Birdland performances, from which this album takes its name ("Afro-Blue," "I Want to Talk About You" and "The Promise," recorded October 8, 1963) ARE truly great. But...But, they are rendered excruxiating by the out-of-tune piano which McCoy Tyner is condemned to play.

Since I discovered ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 126
Average Rating:

Moondog 1 & 2

CD-Charts > Music > Avant Garde and Free Jazz
by: Moondog

Release Date November 06, 2000
I can't believe I never even heard of Moondog until this week. I heard this double CD at a friend's house and immediately purchased it. I love it! The range of styles and moods, the sheer beauty of the compositions: breathtaking. This has become a favorite very quickly.

CD-Charts Position 127
Average Rating:

Trumpet Evolution

CD-Charts > Music > Avant Garde and Free Jazz
by: Arturo Sandoval

Release Date February 01, 2008
This CD defintely showcases the talent and versatility of Arturo Sandoval. He is one great trumpet maestro. Considering that Maynard Ferguson, Dizzie Gillespie, and other trumpet masters have heaped praises on Sandoval, what more can I say?

CD-Charts Position 128
Average Rating:

Lumpy Gravy

CD-Charts > Music > Avant Garde and Free Jazz
by: Frank Zappa

Release Date April 18, 1995
This is one of Zappa's most unique recordings, and that's saying something. It's a sound collage mixed with an orchestra and rock band. It has some beautiful, borderline pop music passages, mixed in with strange noises, strange narration and vocals, and lots of surreal music.

The whole album is reminiscent of sound collages/experiments similar to that of Edgard Varese (one of Zappa's idols) and Luigi Nono, an avant garde Italian composer. Zappa really never attempted anything like this again until the sequel (and his final album released during his life) Civilization Phaze III (I think Phaze III is better). This album, like Zappa's other adventurous works (like Weasels Ripped My Flesh), become more interesting and fascinating with repeated listenings. This ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 129
Average Rating:

Conquistador

CD-Charts > Music > Avant Garde and Free Jazz
by: Cecil Taylor

Release Date March 23, 2004
I've got alot of Cecil's stuff, but I have to agree that Conquistador may very well be Cecil's masterpiece. It really is better than Unit Structures, and had you told me that before I heard it I wouldnt have believed you. Also thanks to Rudy Van Gelder, it sounds much better too. Dont hesitate to get this one, it's excellent.

CD-Charts Position 130
Average Rating:

The Elephant Man's Alarm Clock

CD-Charts > Music > Avant Garde and Free Jazz
by: Buckethead

Release Date November 06, 2007
I listen to this album alot. The first and fourth song are the songs that just dont make any sense...but the rest are amazing...check out Baseball furies, Gigan, Final Wars, Oakridge Cake and Droid assembally. The Lurker in the Threshold Part 1-4 is (in my imagination) like a friendship story for the elephant man, and it leaves a great song to be imagined by its respected Listeners...10/10 for a die-hard Buckethead fan as myself and any new Metalhead wanting a great album from a remarkable Virtuoso.