Albert Ayler: Live In Greenwich Village

This record has turned my musical world upside down.  The freedom with which Ayler plays has always astounded me, but this record captures his musical concepts in an entirely new light.  Recorded between 1965 and 1967, this record features the extraordinary playing of his brother Don Ayler, along with Henry Grimes--bass, Bill Folwell--bass, Alan Silva--bass, Beaver Haris--drums, Joel Freedman--cello, Michael Simpson--violin.  Ayler truly reached well beyond the parameters of explored sound within his genre, and worked as a soundsmith to develop the sonic pallatte of the saxophone in an entirely new way.  His compositions feature incredable counterpoint, and a level of beautiful intensity which has not, in my opinion, been yet surpassed.  You can buy this record here

There are many records which have effected me very profoundly, but this record, "I Have the Room Above Her," has astounded me beyond anything I have heard in some time.  Paul Motian, within the last year, has been one of my most prominent influences.  His music, which relies so heavily on rhythmic, and melodic interaction, is what I believe to be some of the most important music of the last decade.  The most important element in this has undoubtedly been the ideal personel for this sound concept--Paul Motian on drums, Joe Lovano on tenor, and Bill Frisell on guitar.  Many of these tunes lack chord changes, and are based solely upon the beauty and contours of the melodic shapes they create.  In all of Motians' records, his compositions are unique and astounding.  This record is full of many originals, and features a great deal of looping and retrograde from Frisell, along with a wide range of sound pallets.  This group is one of the most important improvising units in all of jazz, and their virtuosity lies in their communication--no one musician is more prominant than another.  They are truly what we all strive to be as a communicative band.  You can buy this record here

Every record Sigur Ros releases is a profound statement, and their latest record, "Takk," has become my favorite of their work.  Along with Matmos, Bjork, and a great deal of other music coming out of Scandinavia, and particularly Iceland, Sigur Ros is a band that creates music which touches me on a very spiritual level, and one I could never begin to describe through only words.  This four person group utilizes technology on a whole other level, creating soundscapes from found sound, as well as generated sound palates.  The track "Glosoli," in particular, creates a dynamic arch which makes me shiver every time I listen to it.  Their exploration of emotion, and creating a vision of sound which is uniquely their own has inspired me a great deal.  This is music which sparks the electric soil of creativity.  See them live, and you will never forget it.  You can buy this record here

Released this year for the first time on CD by Bluenote Records of all companies, Where Is Brooklyn features Don Cherry at the beginning of his liberation as an improviser.  The record features fellow Ornette bandmates Henry Grimes and Ed Blackwell, along with Pharaoh Sanders on tenor.  Although much of the record, I feel, is dominated by Pharoah's playing, Cherry plays with wonderfully agile and melodic playing, and the interaction between the horns and the rhythm section is quite good.  The tunes are heavily influenced by Ornette, but retain a lot of Cherry's identity in this period, which can also be found on "Symphony For Improvisers" and "Complete Communion."  Blackwell on drums provides grounding for the density in the blowing, making the adventurous solos even more poignant.  Pharaohs level of control and exploration of sound are really astounding, and Grimes' bass lines are unbelievably hip.  Check out his accompaniment on Awake NU--really incredible.  Because of the relatively short length of the tracks and the surprising amount of structure in the melodies and blowing, this record can be very accessible for those waiting for a time to take an interest in Cherry's unique voice.   You can buy this record here