CD-Charts Position 31
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Paris Concert

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

Release Date November 26, 1990
This solo Piano album really grows on you. My intial reaction to hearing it was, well this is nice but it certainly isn't Jazz. However after a few listens I began to appreciate the beauty in his 'Classical' improvisations. And for those who don't know, all of Keith Jarretts solo non-classical Piano concerts are improvised from scratch on the spot. This does occasionally lead to some moments where you can literally hear him hold down a vamp whilst he awaits inspiration. But remember rhythm alone can be music. On this CD the level of inspiration is kept high all the time.

The second and third track were probably originally encores and both are memorable for different reasons. 'The Wind' is a lovely tune which Jarrett plays beautifully, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 32
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Journey In Satchidananda

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

Release Date March 20, 1999
I cannot understand why so many reviewers consider this to be the zenith of Indian-jazz fusion - this is perhaps the most one-dimensional album I have ever heard. While the technical ability of Pharoah Sanders is clearly immense, much of the percussion is often out of time, and each piece is constructed simply from a double bass riff played ad nauseam, followed by Sanders either playing in a major/minor scale over the top. Coltrane's superfluous noodling over the top becomes irritating rather quickly.

When i first heard this album on the samples above, i thought it sounded marvellous. This effect wears off very quickly, i assure you. For proper Indo-jazz fusion, Shakti is infinitely better.

CD-Charts Position 33
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The Way the Wind Blows

CD-Charts > Music > Avant-garde
by: A Hawk & A Hacksaw

Release Date October 09, 2006
Apparently being part of Beirut has had quite an influence on A Hawk and a Hacksaw. In third album "The Way the Wind Blows," this quirky Balkan-electro-psychfolk band gets even more into their sound... and by that, I mean less electro and psychfolk. Not typical Elephant 6 fare, but good.

It opens with "In the River," a swooning ballad crammed with accordion and horns... which changes tempo into an entirely different kind of song. It's followed by the title track, a bittersweet fiddle tune that wanders through the slow accordion tune. It sounds like a gypsy fiddler who got left behind, and is lamenting about it via music.

They continue that sound through the next song, only to burst into a raucous little dance number in the bouncy ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 34
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Dowland: In Darkness Let Me Dwell

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

Release Date October 18, 1999
Superb performances throughout, but the soprano sax at the end of "Come Again" is outstanding. An excellent recording which I would recommend to anyone, either embarking on a Dowland collection or adding to one, as in my case.

CD-Charts Position 35
Average Rating:

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The Vienna Concert: Recorded at the Vienna State Opera

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

Release Date September 28, 1992
I am not musically trained and so I can't offer a technical appraisal of Keith Jarrett's solo work, but I have found his music to be life changing. This is partly because I was unaware that sounds like this could emanate from a piano. As beautiful and uplifting as I have found parts of the Paris and Koln Concerts to be, the Vienna Concert in particular is a meditation that can stir the soul. The opening 10-15 minutes of the first piece are transcendentally exquisite, and in a strange way, even humbling. I think this is because experiencing the music is like being taken to a hidden and very special place inside oneself or else being allowed to share the "sacred vision" of the musician. The latter part of the first piece is dark and stormy. After the warmth and glow of the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 36
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Leg End

CD-Charts > Music > Avant-garde
by: Henry Cow

Release Date November 16, 1998
This reminds me of those 70's detective tv movies, where the weird and wacky soundtrack jived and jostled all over the place, then Peter Falk would solve the most unlikely of murders, besieged it seemed, by belligerent superiors and zany camera angles.
The celluloid connection is important in my little world. If music is 'cinematic' then it goes up a notch in my estimation. If it's vast and complex (like Thomas Leer) or dynamic and sexy (like Dollar) the stars on this antiquated review points system are dripping atop each other like so many clicking poker chips.
Music should be about surprises, about little sound-deceits that play quick tricks with the ear. Startle the brain, stimulate, give pleasure (so much music is designed to do the opposite), be fun!
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CD-Charts Position 37
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Empyrean Isles: Remastered

CD-Charts > Music > Avant-garde
by: Herbie Hancock

Release Date May 03, 1999
Empyrean Isles by Herbie Hancock could be viewed as a warm up for Maiden Voyage, universally accepted as one of the greatest jazz albums ever produced. On Empyrean Isles, the celebrated Hancock/Carter/Williams rhythm section (working in Miles Davis's band at the time) combine with the artistry of trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, (the whole group, together with saxophonist George Coleman, recorded Maiden Voyage) who provides an interesting contrast to Davis, with his more aggresive, Coltrane-influenced take on Hard Bop trumpet playing. The aggressive opener 'One Finger Snap' is pure floating groove as generally associated with the rhythm section, while Oliquoi Valley takes a more relaxed but still powerful bent as Freddie Hubbard and Herbie Hancock show their affinity for one another's playing style. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 38
Average Rating:

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Phases of the Night

CD-Charts > Music > Avant-garde
by: Barry Guy

Release Date May 26, 2008
Empyrean Isles by Herbie Hancock could be viewed as a warm up for Maiden Voyage, universally accepted as one of the greatest jazz albums ever produced. On Empyrean Isles, the celebrated Hancock/Carter/Williams rhythm section (working in Miles Davis's band at the time) combine with the artistry of trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, (the whole group, together with saxophonist George Coleman, recorded Maiden Voyage) who provides an interesting contrast to Davis, with his more aggresive, Coltrane-influenced take on Hard Bop trumpet playing. The aggressive opener 'One Finger Snap' is pure floating groove as generally associated with the rhythm section, while Oliquoi Valley takes a more relaxed but still powerful bent as Freddie Hubbard and Herbie Hancock show their affinity for one another's playing style. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 39
Average Rating:

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Another Thought

CD-Charts > Music > Avant-garde
by: Arthur Russell

Release Date August 28, 2006
Empyrean Isles by Herbie Hancock could be viewed as a warm up for Maiden Voyage, universally accepted as one of the greatest jazz albums ever produced. On Empyrean Isles, the celebrated Hancock/Carter/Williams rhythm section (working in Miles Davis's band at the time) combine with the artistry of trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, (the whole group, together with saxophonist George Coleman, recorded Maiden Voyage) who provides an interesting contrast to Davis, with his more aggresive, Coltrane-influenced take on Hard Bop trumpet playing. The aggressive opener 'One Finger Snap' is pure floating groove as generally associated with the rhythm section, while Oliquoi Valley takes a more relaxed but still powerful bent as Freddie Hubbard and Herbie Hancock show their affinity for one another's playing style. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 40
Average Rating:

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Dis

CD-Charts > Music > Avant-garde
by: Jan Garbarek, Ralph Towner

Release Date July 01, 1988
Known for his glacial Nordic sensibilities, Jan Garbarek pushed the point somewhat on this strange but beguiling album, using a windharp, alongside his usual tenor/soprano sax combo, to capture an unworldly soundscape. But the sounds of raging winds coming off the North Sea and Jan's keening sax make a counterpoint to Ralph Towner's beautiful and elegant guitar playing and a sparce brass ensemble. Now 30 years old, this is a classic ECM product, in product and design, and well worth investigating.