CD-Charts Position 51
Average Rating:

Ohm: The Early Gurus of Electronic Music Special Edition 3CD + DVD

CD-Charts > Music > Avant Garde and Free Jazz
from: Ellipsis Arts

Release Date October 25, 2005
I recently purchased Ohm, the early gurus of electronic music, and I am very immpressed. By far the most important criteria for judgment must be the quality of the cleaning up of early recordings. Every track on all three CDs has a low noise floor, which has been achieved without the loss of palpability or dynamic range that is so common with the usual cleaning processes. The other stand out feature is that this is the complete package; 114 page booklet with great art work, 13-16 tracks on each CD and a 20 track DVD. The whole lot is so well put together that I am proud to own it. Only one track each from the 30's and 40's, and heaps from the 50's and 60's. I'm glad I bought this.

CD-Charts Position 52
Average Rating:

Metheny / Mehldau

CD-Charts > Music > Avant Garde and Free Jazz
by: Pat Metheny, Brad Mehldau

Release Date September 12, 2006
I like Brad Mehldau. I really do. And I kind of like Pat Metheny. But I have never been a big huge fan of jazz guitar, and unfortunatley, that's what Pat plays. So, I tried not to think too hard about what was in store for me. I tried to believe that as a jazz musician, I would be able to learn from this music. I tried to believe that Mehldau would balance out the guitar and I would actually enjoy this CD. I even listened to it more than once (more than twice) to see if maybe I started to "get" it or it grew on me. Unfortunately, the only thing that happened is I discovered where dentists and doctors get their piped in waiting room music. Some people may like this album, but it is definitely not my cup of hot mocha.

CD-Charts Position 53
Average Rating:

Mythologies

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

Release Date August 15, 2006
With a music library of over 1400 CDs, I listen to a lot of musical variety, but I have to have my daily fix of Mythologies, and have now for a whole year. Maybe I'm "in it too deep" to give a reasonable review, but I think Patricia Barber`s compositions about several Greek mythical figures are extraordinary beyond words because they strike at so many levels. It is very listenable as background music, although the first piece, The Moon, as a bookend, has a somewhat unapproachable (to some) intro. But then the rhythm kicks in and everyone takes off. On a musical level, the songs fascinate me at every listen, with her melodies, voice, unusual timings and long time-close knit innovative quartet creating exciting phrases, verses, solos and refrains, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 54
Average Rating:

Miles Ahead

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

Release Date September 23, 1997
Either as its own or as part of the elegant boxed set collecting all of the orchestral collaborations between Miles Davis and Gil Evans, "Miles Ahead" finds the ripe Davis crossing into previously unchartered lands for him - playing in front of a large-scale orchestra conducted by Gil Evans. Unlike the other orchestral collaborations, "Miles Ahead" has no specific theme or flavor to it, but it was the first of such albums, and its music stood tall because of its newness and daring approach, hence its name.

In "Miles Ahead," Evans' orchestra serves as a bed of gentle flowers for Davis to walk upon while playing his delicate and meaningful musical statements. The orchestra includes five trumpets, three trombones (and a bass trombone), three ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 55
Average Rating:

Longitude

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

Release Date May 20, 2008
Overview:
As former collaborator Dave Douglas points out in the liner notes, Martial Solal is a "fearless improviser". These words are a perfect description for Solal's often chaotic and frenzied, two-handed style of soloing. Martial can stop on a dime and make a change for a dollar. As ideas burst into Solal's head he switches, tempo, mood, texture, etc to take each song off on a new direction on whim. The truly amazing thing is that the Moutin twins (Francios on bass, Louis on drums) are with him every step of the way. It's fantastic to see Solal tear off in the blink of an eye in a new direction and to hear Francois connecting the dots on bass and Louis adding in accents on a cymbal. I guess this is what you get when you play together for 15 years as ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 56
Average Rating:

Floratone

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

Release Date August 14, 2007
These music on these tracks is thick and solid and very democratic. No one tries to grandstand or steal the show. Frisell, as usual, does not play "guitar hero" - though he certainly has the chops to do that, IF he wanted to.

My ONLY complaint is - 45 minutes...? The days of 45 minute "albums" was over about 20 years ago. It would be nice to have about 20 more minutes of these sessions - whether they spent more time exploring the themes of these selections OR included a few more tracks on the release. The playing is great, just give us more on the little silver disk.

Five stars, definitely!

TURN IT UP!

CD-Charts Position 57
Average Rating:

The Very Best of Michael Nyman - Film Music 1980-2001

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

Release Date November 12, 2001
This truly is Michael Nyman's best works over an extensive period of time. This collection shows the range of his compositions and it is beautifully recorded. For any Michael Nyman fan this is a "must have"!

CD-Charts Position 58
Average Rating:

Vienna Concert

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

Release Date March 07, 2000
Yes, Keith Jarrett is a wonder. In this album, as in others, his technical prowess at the piano is amazing. At times, it seems as though there are two, perhaps three, pianists playing simultaneously. The problem here, as in similar solo improvisational albums, is that the technique is an end in itself. There is little beauty, wit, or thoughtfulness. Listening to this often painful album is like watching a world's strongest man contest. Wow, look at those hulks move weights. But what does it prove? And after you've seen it a couple of times, who cares any more? Jarrett is at his best, in my opinion, when facing a score. His The Melody At Night, With You is one of the most gorgeous and sensitive albums I know of. He also plays splendid Bach and Handel. Don't buy the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 59
Average Rating:

Grand Central

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

Release Date March 06, 2007
Saw Jeff twice in concert in Chicago and just past week in Pompano Beach, Florida with Peter White, Gerald Albright, Jeff Lorber. So bought this new album at that concert. Holy smokes, Grand Central will just blow you away. It has the same energy as Grand Central Station. One of those great road trip songs, I never tire of it. Mojito is also an infectious tune that you will be humming in your head over & over. But can't leave out Shockwave, it will grab you too. My 10 year old Grandson has now become a Jeff Golub fan too. But trust me on this, you have to see Jeff in person live in a concert, he is quite a showman and will take off on a lot of his songs, that you just don't get in a CD. But be sure to add this one to your collection and you'll get the Jeff Golub bug ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 60
Average Rating:

The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings

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

Release Date September 23, 1997
I'm 19 years old, and have enjoyed listening, but most of all, playing classical and jazz music whether it be on the flute, electric guitar, or drum practice pad, yet i've realized after purchasing this recording that with 7 years of experience I still can't understand Coltrane's genius...I keep listening to this recording and it all sounds like high school concert band level (not even jazz band) -_-...I find it hard to believe that that's the case, so i've come to the conclusion that i'm still young and lack experience...i feel embarrassed to post this as an up-and-coming musician, but i'm hoping someone can clear this up for me.