CD-Charts Position 1

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History, Mystery

CD-Charts > Music > Avant-garde
by: Bill Frisell

Release Date May 12, 2008

CD-Charts Position 2
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Moonshine

CD-Charts > Music > Avant-garde
by: Dave Douglas Keystone

Release Date June 09, 2008
Another top-drawer album from the endlessly creative trumpeter. This is the second album from his 'Keystone' group and it finds them moving out into their own identity and space.

Electronics are combined with a group that can move from modern jazz through tough funk and a raw rock edge. As ever Douglas's compositions provide enough meat for the musicians to sink their teeth into without being a straight-jacket, and the playing is superb, as you would expect.

Douglas is now so prolific that it is difficult to recommend this as his best, or even one of his best - but taken on its own merits it is hard to fault.

CD-Charts Position 3
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Officium

CD-Charts > Music > Avant-garde
from: ECM New Series

Release Date September 05, 1994
I can see how sax fans find this album a revelation but it is a stain on the track record of the Hilliard Ensemble. I can see (kinda) what the involved parties tried to do but it still is painful to listing to it and even with a lot of good will this is simply a waste of money and time. To all those admirers of the Hilliard Ensemble: Don't do it to yourself!

CD-Charts Position 4
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The Koln Concert: 24 January 1975

CD-Charts > Music > Avant-garde
by: Keith Jarrett

Release Date July 01, 1988
I first heard this record at a friends house. I was completely blown away. I went straight to the first record store and bought it. Since then it became my favorite Jazz album of all times, and has put Keith Jarret, in my opinion, on the top of the world's greatest piano players.
I've been a fan ever since and bought every single live album he has released. They are all amazing, but there's no love like the first one.
No record collection will be complete without it.

CD-Charts Position 5
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Comicopera

CD-Charts > Music > Avant-garde
by: Robert Wyatt

Release Date October 08, 2007
Much as I like Robert Wyatt as a man for his political beliefs and struggle to overcome adversity his music oevre leaves me somewhat underwhelmed.
The lispy..or should that be lithpy weak warbling voice takes some getting used to but despite the impressive production team behind him,the whole edifice is like an allotment shed rather than the substantial house of music it should be. Rambling,discordant,fractured and forever going down blind alleys.
My downloaded album was filed in the bin after a few takes because I knew I'd never listen to it again and I couldn't think of anyone I knew who would appreciate it.
Cruel I know but appropriate in the circumstances.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Mingus Ah Um

CD-Charts > Music > Avant-garde
by: Charles Mingus

Release Date February 08, 1999
This is a rarity - a Mingus album with no duff tracks at all - everything is spot-on.The eclecticism of the music and its execution are breathtaking - if you need music to wake you up, try Boogie Stop Shuffle (so that's where they got the Mission Impossible theme from!).The gentler side of Mingus emerges beautifully on the slower tracks such as Pork Pie Hat.As for the recording - how did they manage such stunning sound? OK,it's remastered, but compare it to Monk CDs from the same time and it leaves them behind - vibrant,balanced,clear and dynamic - a must-buy!

CD-Charts Position 7
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Bitches Brew

CD-Charts > Music > Avant-garde
by: Miles Davis

Release Date July 12, 1999
this is a very good album from miles davis and i think it is one of his best works besides kind of blue even though b^$tches is a bad word, every song on this disc is a masterpiece on this 2 disc set. i'm so sad that he is dead because i would love to see him in concert. anyways, this cd is highy recommended.

CD-Charts Position 8
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Flying Teapot

CD-Charts > Music > Avant-garde
by: Gong

Release Date February 28, 2005
Don't buy "Flying Teapot". Avoid it. Don't touch it with a barge pole. I mean this. STEER CLEAR OF THIS ALBUM.

Right, now you're upset. But let me explain. I'm a huge Gong fan. I adore "Flying Teapot". It's always been one of my favourite albums. I've loved it since the early 1980s when I first bought the vinyl. It's rarely far from my stereo. But the CD is a DISASTER. I'm not talking about the old licensing issue, the two separate covers. The covers are different, but ALL the CD versions of "Flying Teapot" use exactly the same master tape. And ALL of them are terrible beyond belief -- and beyond redemption.

The problem is entirely with the title track, 12 minutes of pure bliss. At least in the original vinyl version. A soft, trippy, jazzy drift, laid ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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A Love Supreme

CD-Charts > Music > Avant-garde
by: John Coltrane

Release Date November 07, 2005
OK, it's 1964, and Bebop has come a long way. We are six years after Coltrane recorded Kind of Blue with Miles, and it would be another five years before Miles records the next milestone: In A Silent Way. Tunes seem to be getting longer and longer...and with A Love Supreme John Coltrane finally produces a recording that gives himself free rein to really explore the furthest recesses from seed ideas, and just go with them. This is a very spiritual album, there seem to be no constraints.
Most of the four tunes begin with a basic theme, which is quickly jettisoned as Coltrane's creative juices start to flow.
There are some astounding sections on this CD, the musicians almost seem to be jostling for position at the mic, and yet they meld organically together. There are calm, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Angel's Egg: Radio Gnome Invisible Vol.2/Remastered

CD-Charts > Music > Avant-garde
by: Gong

Release Date October 04, 2004
This has been a long time coming! .The remastering of this and "You" has been on the cards for over a year and half as far as I can remember. But due to continual delays, the last being a wish to release these in time for Gong's latest planned tour which did not transpire, it is now at last we can enjoy the 2nd and 3rd part of the Radio Gnome Invisible Trilogy in fully remastered and expanded form. The first part, "Flying Teapot" is caught up in licensing red-tape and is only available in a poor version on a mid-price label which I won't mention here. I will mention that also planned as part of this set of releases was an expanded version of the excellent "Live Etc" album, possibly as a 3 CD box set, but no sign of that at the moment.

So, was the wait worth it. Yes indeed. The ... Read More: