Percussionist Michael Ranta turns biblical ideas into steeply enigmatic cues for non-verbal communication in a captivating, atavistic way upon his return to Timos van Lujik and co’s Metaphon label. Composed, performed and recorded in Cologne between 1988-89, ’Die Mauer’ primarily serves its function as soundtrack for a ballet choreographed by Philippe Talard. Applying his keenly-studied technique to a rare knowledge of Asian instruments and modern production techniques, the suite renders 11 parts of subtly wide-ranging percussive tones coupled with rustically dissonant string and wind instrumentation, plus barely perceptible electronics, in a way that evokes deeply meditative, ritualistic states of mind and, in turn, opens vast spaces of inquiry for that mind to wander and become enchanted.

At the beginning of the month, I heard that Simon Fell was seriously ill in hospital with advanced cancer. Today I heard that he passed away this lunchtime. Simon was a portal for me into improvised music. In May 1994, I chanced upon a concert by Peter Brötzmann, Willi Kellers, Alan Wilkinson and Simon Fell at the Grapes Inn, Sheffield and I was blown away. The next time I saw Simon play was a year later at Dr Brown’s pub in Huddersfield, this time with Alan Wilkinson and Paul Hession. I was entranced by his energy and commitment to the moment.

If we are part and product of chance, should we play with it? Having worked together for many years as musician and sound engineer, two improvisers break out of their comfort zones. Piano icon Joachim Kühn and electronica experimentalist Klaus Scheuermann alias „Trummerschlunk“ explore the potential of the unlikely: a collaboration across generations, genre boundaries, and long established professional roles.

Under The Sun is the 1974 album by Human Arts Ensemble, which featured Lester Bowie, Marty Ehrlich, James Marshall, Carol Marshall, J.D. Parran, Oliver Lake, Victor Reef, Charles Bobo Shaw Jr., Butch Smith, Abdullah Yakub, Alan Suits and Vincent Terrell. Originally a self-released/limited edition project, this was reissued in 1976 on the Arista-subsidiary label Freedom (Arista Freedom) and is a vinyl rip.

Recording of The Lab’s December 7, 2018 live performance with saxophonist and composer Roscoe Mitchell and his quartet with Ambrose Akinmusire, Junius Paul and Vincent Davis. Liner notes by Joshua Marshall. This marked Mitchell’s last performance in before he returned to Madison, Wisconsin, celebrating his eleven-year contribution to the Bay Area as the Darius Milhaud Chair of Composition at Mills College. An iconoclastic figure in contemporary music whose work ranges from classical to contemporary, from wild and forceful free jazz to ornate chamber music, Mitchell is an internationally renowned musician, composer, and innovator.

Celebrating Anthony Braxton on his 75th birthday, THUMBSCREW digs into the Tricentric Archives, focusing on previously unrecorded pieces by the legendary composer, multi-wind master and bandleader. The all-star collective trio releases its fifth album for Cuneiform, The Anthony Braxton Project. For fans familiar with Braxton’s music the project offers a whole new window into his genius for designing protean musical situations pregnant with possibilities. Those less acquainted with his work might find themselves enthralled and amazed by the sheer diversity of rhythmic and melodic material explored by Thumbscrew.

When you give birth to a free jazz record label by the name of Ayler Records, you must be dreaming of putting out an album of long-forgotten sessions by the great saxophonist Albert Ayler. It took a while (then again, not that long), but producer Jan Ström managed to get hold of two important sessions recorded in Copenhagen. The suitably titled Copenhagen Tapes contain 45 minutes of a performance at Club Montmartre, September 3, 1964, and another 20 minutes recorded in the studio of the Danish radio a week later.

Interchange is a 1986 album by The Quartet featuring Ernst Ludwig Petrowsky. This was released by Konnex Records and is a vinyl rip.

The Use Of Memory is the 1991 album by Austrian jazz musician Franz Koglmann. hat ART released this gem.

A White Line is the 1990 album by Austrian jazz musician Franz Koglmann. hat ART made this possible.

A Day In Benedict is a 1997 album between Rajesh Mehta and Vojtěch & Irena Havel. This was released in the Czech Republic by Hermit Foundation.

Curiosities 1972 is a 2008 album by Command All Stars, consisting of Keith Tippett, Elton Dean, Nick Evans, Marc Charig, Harry Miller, Johnny Dyani and Keith Bailey. This is not in relation to the group on Enoch Light's Command record label. While these recordings were done in 1972 and meant for release soonafter, they didn't materialize until three decades later. The closing song is credited to Just Plus Us. This was released by Reel Recordings.

Metropolis is the 1971 album by Mike Westbrook. Originally credited to The Mike Westbrook Orchestra, this was remastered and reissued in 1999 by BGO.

TWET - a music album recorded by Polish jazz trumpeter Tomasz Stańko and accompanying musicians. LP TWET (a title probably formed from the first letters of the names of the performers) is an album belonging to the free jazz trend. The American bassist, Peter Warren, played with three musicians who collaborated constantly: Tomasz Stanka, Tomasz Szukalski and Finnish drummer Edward Vesala. All songs are joint compositions of the participants of the recording session. The recordings were made on April 2, 1974 in the PWSM hall in Warsaw. The album was included in the Polish Jazz series (vol. 39).

Polish Jazz Vol. 4 is a 1965 album by The Andrzej Trzaskowski Quintet, which featured Tomasz Stanko on trumpet and Janusz Muniak on saxophones. This was remastered and reissued in 2005 by Polskie Radio.