An extremely cold week swept across the US, bringing historic temperatures to our little town. That kept us indoors, listening to a lot of great music as new albums from Relative Pitch, Not Two, Machinefabriek, and Tzadik arrived at our doors. I also spent more time exploring the absolutely amazing GRRR label, led by Jean-Jacques Birgé, particularly the debut album from Un Drame Musical Instantané, Trop D'Adrenaline Nuit, which is downright startling in its sophistication and diversity.

Mining more wonderful legacy material, I finished cataloging two albums from New York improvising and experimental vocalist Ellen Christi: one on Splasc(h) with the Italian improvising group Fiorenzo Sordini Quintet, and another on Network featuring a global set of improvisers.

I was excited to pick up the reissue of two albums from the trio of Peter Brötzmann, Paal Nilssen-Love, and Steve Swell-a transatlantic trio that toured Europe in 2016, releasing Live in Copenhagen and Live in Krakow. It's great to see these powerful performances back in print. We also picked up another album from an improviser gone too soon, Chicago saxophonist Mars Williams, in a duo with his frequent collaborator, Spanish percussionist Vasco Trilla. This is the third duo album from the pair (I've listed all three below, currently in stock), presenting a wide-ranging approach to improv, from introspective to dynamically charged. It's fitting to highlight this release alongside the trio albums, as Mars Williams was a member of Brötzmann's Tentet.

Relative Pitch released four new albums this week, and I keep returning to the excellent duo between guitarist Fred Frith and harpist Shelley Burgon, an album with great pacing and wonderfully inventive exchanges. Burgon, a former student of Frith at Mills College, displays clear improvisational chemistry with him here. She can also be heard on albums with Anthony Braxton, Trevor Dunn, and Okkyung Lee.

I've also spent a lot of time with the Brandon Lopez Septet album, an extended improvisation with political urgency featuring Lopez himself (bass), Zeena Parkins (more harps this week!), Mat Maneri (viola), and DoYeon Kim (gayageum), alongside two drummers — Gerald Cleaver and Tom Rainey — tinged with the electronics of Cecilia Lopez. From Boston comes the duo of Fully Celebrated Orchestra founders Jim Hobbs and Timo Shanko, delivering a free yet melodic affair with a strong blues passion. The fourth album is another string-driven confluence, this time featuring harpist Jacqueline Kerrod and guitarist Joe Morris, which will be fully cataloged by next week.

After all that excitement, you can drift away, as I have at the end of my workdays, with two albums from Rutger Zuydervelt, aka Machinefabriek: Microtopia, a beautifully rich and detailed score for a constructive video game; and Omval, recreating in the studio a live performance with serpent player Berlinde Deman.

Un Drame Musical Instantane: Trop D'Adrenaline Nuit (GRRR)

The groundbreaking 1977 debut of Un Drame Musical Instantané is a fully improvised yet strikingly structured work blending synthesizer, trumpet, guitar, film dialogue, and radio broadcasts into a dynamic sonic collage, here reissued in 2004 with a new master and the bonus track "Sancta Papaverina", the album captures the trio's bold fusion of avant-garde improvisation and experimental composition.

Christi, Ellen / Yuko Fujiyama / Masahiko Kono / Mauro Orselli: Reconstruction Of Sound (Network)

A compelling collaboration featuring improvising vocalist Ellen Christi alongside pianist Yuko Fujiyama, trombonist Masahiko Kono, and drummer Mauro Orselli, recorded in the studio in 1993 and live at Roulette in 1996, weaving dynamic free improvisation and exploratory soundscapes that showcase Christi's innovative vocal techniques and deep engagement with spontaneous composition.

Christi, Ellen / Fiorenzo Sordini Quintet: A Piece of the Rock (Splasc(h))

An engaging meeting recorded in the studio in New York in 1991, bringing together vocalist Ellen Christi, saxophonist & bass clarinetist Carlo Actis Dato, trombonist Masahiko Kono, bassist Enrico Fazio, drummer Fiorenzo Sordini, and text artist Michael Vecchio, blending adventurous contemporary jazz, spontaneous composition, and spoken word in a strikingly dynamic and generally lyrical session.

Brotzmann, Peter / Steve Swell / Paal Nilssen-Love: Krakow Nights (Not Two)

A powerhouse trio of free jazz titans — Peter Brötzmann on saxophone and clarinet, Steve Swell on trombone, and Paal Nilssen-Love on drums — captured live at Krakow's Alchemia Club in 2015, delivering a high-energy set of unrelenting interplay, shifting dynamics, and deep improvisational synergy, from explosive full-throttle exchanges to nuanced explorations of timbre and structure.

Brotzmann / Swell / Nilssen-Love: Live in Copenhagen (Not Two)

Captured live at Copenhagen's Jazzhouse in 2016, the explosive trio of Peter Brötzmann on saxophone & clarinet, Steve Swell on trombone, and Paal Nilssen-Love on drums & percussion delivers a high-intensity set, opening with the fiery 30-minute "Copenhagen Maneuvers" and continuing through shorter pieces that demonstrate their raw power, deep improvisational synergy, and relentless momentum.

Williams, Mars / Vasco Trilla: Awakening Nature From Her Dream (Live In Barcelona) (Not Two)

A powerful 2019 live performance from Barcelona between legendary multi-reedist Mars Williams and boundary-pushing percussionist Vasco Trilla, unfolding from introspective explorations into bursts of intricate and energetic free jazz, as Williams' array of saxophones and toys meets Trilla's rich palette of percussion in an electrifying exchange.

Williams, Mars / Vasco Trilla: Critical Mass (Not Two)

The second release from the duo of Spanish percussionist Vasco Trilla and Chicago reedist Mars Williams, the latter performing both on reeds and on toy instruments, each using extraordinary and extended technique to create exotically energetic conversations and beautifully meditative environments, in five creative, playful and impressively informed dialogs.

Williams, Mars / Vasco Trilla: Spiracle (Not Two)

A truly unique duo album of sax and drums from Chicago reedist Mars Williams and Spanish percussionist Vasco Trilla, using their immense technical skills to pivot reflective and meditative playing around exuberant free jazz spirit, maintaining a sense of journey and sonic introspection through unusual and extended technique; a beautifully balanced album.

Frith, Fred / Shelley Burgon: The Life and Behavior (Relative Pitch)

A compelling collaboration between guitarist Fred Frith and innovative harpist Shelley Burgon — known for her work with Anthony Braxton, Trevor Dunn, and Okkyung Lee — in a series of concise and precise improvisations recorded in Oakland, CA, in 2002 and 2005, as Burgon blends seamlessly with Frith's acoustic guitar to create seemingly telepathic synchronicity and an expansive sonic palette.

Lopez, Brandon Septet: nada sagrada (Relative Pitch)

An intense performance led by bassist Brandon Lopez, recorded live at Roulette during the 2023 Vision Festival, blending deep listening and collective spirit in a dynamic, politically charged composition featuring Zeena Parkins (electric harp), Mat Maneri (viola), Cecilia Lopez (electronics), DoYeon Kim (gayageum), and drummers Gerald Cleaver &Tom Rainey, propelling intricate textures and ritualistic intensity.

Hobbs and Shanko: The Depression Tapes (Relative Pitch)

Alto saxophonist Jim Hobbs and bassist Timo Shanko, co-founders of the Fully Celebrated Orchestra, present their first duo recording, nine improvisations recorded in the studio in Massachusetts, expressing their three-decade synergy through intimate, exploratory playing that blends passionate and deep-seated melodic interplay with free jazz elements and a strong sense of the blues.

Squidco Publishing Roundup:

These are the updates to Squidco and The Squid's Ear over the last week. You can see our latest fully cataloged albums in our Recently Section.

You can see new albums as they enter our Just In Stock Section, meaning that we physically have an album and are able to ship it with an order, but that we're not satisfied that we've added all the information we can about that release.

You can also see recent restocks of previously listed items at our Recently Restocked page.

You can ask us to inform you via email of any upcoming release that you're interested in, with no obligation.

February 20, 2025: New @ Squidco:
Mars Williams/Vasco Trilla -Awakening Nature From Her Dream (Live In Barcelona) [CD] (Not Two)
Fred Frith/Shelley Burgon -The Life and Behavior [CD] (Relative Pitch)
Brandon Lopez Septet -nada sagrada [CD] (Relative Pitch)
Hobbs and Shanko -The Depression Tapes [CD] (Relative Pitch)
Painkiller -The Equinox [CD] (Tzadik)
dustsceawung -dustsceawung [CASSETTE w/ Download] (Eh?)
Rutger Zuydervelt -Microtopia (Original Game Score) [CD] (Machinefabriek)
Simulacrum -Shadows [CDR] (Evil Clown)
Expanse -Attenuations [CDR] (Evil Clown)

February 20, 2025: New Review @ The Squid's Ear: Fujii, Satoko Quartet (w/ Tamura / Takeharu / Yoshida) - Dog Days of Summer (Libra) by Andrey Henkin.

February 18, 2025: New @ Squidco:
John Zorn/Mary Halvorson Quartet -The Bagatelles Vol. 1 [CD] (Tzadik)
John Zorn/Erik Friedlander/Michael Nicolas -The Bagatelles Vol. 2 [CD] (Tzadik)
Peter Brotzmann/Steve Swell/Paal Nilssen-Love -Krakow Nights [CD] (Not Two)
Brotzmann/Swell/Nilssen-Love -Live in Copenhagen [CD] (Not Two)
Un Drame Musical Instantane -Trop D'Adrenaline Nuit [CD] (GRRR)
Helene Sage -Les Araignees [CD] (GRRR)
Ellen Christi/Fiorenzo Sordini Quintet -A Piece of the Rock [CD] (Splasc(h))
Ellen Christi/Yuko Fujiyama/Masahiko Kono/Mauro Orselli -Reconstruction Of Sound [CD] (Network)
Machinefabriek -Omval [CD] (Flag Day Recordings)

February 18, 2025: New Review @ The Squid's Ear: Borca / R. Brown / W. Parker / Workman / Nicholson / Murphy / Ibarra / Taylor-Baker - Good News Blues (NoBusiness Records) by Nick Ostrum.

The week began with a rush of activity from our Distribution Price Sale, one of the fastest-moving sales we've had in a while. Many thanks to those who helped us right-size our catalog while picking up great music at extraordinary prices. As anyone following the state of record stores in the modern age knows, maintaining tight inventory control is essential, and your purchases enable us to continue bringing in compelling new albums.

In that spirit, we've partnered with the Victo label to offer a 20% discount on their latest 21 albums in a sale running through the next week. Les Disques Victo, the recording arm of the Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville (FIMAV), has documented some of the most fascinating live performances for nearly 40 years, beginning with a duo album from Anthony Braxton and Derek Bailey. That innovative collaboration set the foundation for a label that has embraced a wide range of styles, capturing some of the festival's most remarkable concerts over the decades.

We've enjoyed a strong relationship with the label throughout Squidco's own 21-year history, and my conversations with festival and label founder Michel Levasseur have always been insightful and engaging. In recent years, both the label and festival have faced significant challenges, and this sale helps support their continued efforts in presenting and releasing some of the most vital music in the creative and contemporary realms.

While I don't speak French, this documentary on Levasseur is a fitting tribute to his decades of work. Even if you don't understand the language, skimming through the video offers a great visual overview of his accomplishments. You can watch it at the link below:

"A bold and determined visionary: that aptly describes Michel Levasseur, the man behind the Festival international de musique actuelle de Victoriaville (FIMAV), which he co-founded and directed for 40 years.

It took audacity and vision to create in 1983 an "international festival of crazy music"-as Richard Desjardins once said-dedicated to "Martian music" (as music critic Alain Brunet once wrote). Beyond the joke, these expressions perfectly illustrate not only Michel Levasseur's desire to go toward the "never heard before" to introduce avant-garde music to the Quebec public, but also the talent it took to do so.

Another great merit of the event's general and artistic director was to last, despite the uncertainty of subsidies and political support, in a musical niche that was not very "mainstream", all in a city located far from major centers. Having left the direction of the festival in 2024, Michel has since received the Hommage du GalArt 2023 award (along with his partner, Joanne Vézina) as well as the Hommage award presented at the 28th Gala des Prix Opus of the Conseil québécois de la musique in 2025."-Tele-Quebec

This week also brought a great selection of new albums, including four Tzadik releases. The distributor for Tzadik experienced shipping issues with the two Bagatelles Volumes and the new Painkiller album, so we only received them yesterday-but they are now in stock and ready to ship. We did, however, receive the excellent collection of John Zorn's eight string quartets, as interpreted by JACK Quartet, in time for this week's mailing list.

Other exciting releases include a remarkable album from the late Dennis Palmer-half of Shaking Ray Levis-in an unusual and compelling work featuring luminaries Col. Bruce Hampton, Frank Pahl, and Jessica Lurie. From the UK Discus label, we have two outstanding albums: one from Guy Seger (Univers Zero) and his Eclectic Maybe Band, a genre-blurring exploration, and a uniquely orchestrated Paul Dunmall ensemble album.

Zorn, John / JACK Quartet: The Complete String Quartets [2 CDs] (Tzadik)

The JACK Quartet presents definitive interpretations of John Zorn's eight string quartets, composed between 1988-2017, in a two-disc album presenting Zorn's evolution through avant-garde techniques and deep musical traditions, with virtuosic performances of intricate works like "Cat O'Nine Tails", "Memento Mori", or "Necronomicon"; includes a 36-page booklet of notes, scores, and insights.

Palmer, Dennis (Palmer / Lurie / Pahl / Hampton / Stagner): White Wuff (Public Eyesore)

Uniting members of the Shaking Ray Levis with luminaries including Bob Stagner (Palmer's SRL cohort), Jessica Lurie, Frank Pahl, and Col. Bruce Hampton, this final album from Dennis Palmer captures his fearless spirit in an eclectic fusion of free improvisation, surreal storytelling, and genre-bending instrumentation, traversing rock, jazz, sound collage, and absurdist experimentation.

Eclectic Maybe Band: Cosmic Light Clusters (Discus)

Guy Segers (Univers Zero) in his 5th expansive EMBand project, assembling an ensemble of progressive and avant-garde musicians in ever-shifting configurations, for an album that evolves from introspective and textural atmospheres to dynamic and complex sonic landscapes, incorporating voices, poetry, and intricate instrumental interplay; a compelling example of Europe's progressive music scene.

Dunmall, Paul: Red Hot Ice (Discus)

A unique entry in Paul Dunmall's discography, this album presents a 9-piece Birmingham-based ensemble with dual keyboards and electronics, evoking Dunmall's compositions and orchestrations into vibrant, groove-driven improvisation that shifts between cinematic atmospheres, fiery free jazz, and unexpected nods to rock, balancing tightly composed sections with exhilarating exploration.

Squidco Publishing Roundup:

These are the updates to Squidco and The Squid's Ear over the last week. You can see our latest fully cataloged albums in our Recently Section.

You can see new albums as they enter our Just In Stock Section, meaning that we physically have an album and are able to ship it with an order, but that we're not satisfied that we've added all the information we can about that release.

You can also see recent restocks of previously listed items at our Recently Restocked page.

You can ask us to inform you via email of any upcoming release that you're interested in, with no obligation.

February 13, 2025: New @ Squidco:
John Zorn/JACK Quartet -The Complete String Quartets [2 CDs] (Tzadik)
Dennis Palmer (Palmer/Lurie/Pahl/Hampton/Stagner) -White Wuff [CD] (Public Eyesore)
Carlos Zingaro/Joao Madeira/Sofia Borges -Trizmaris [CD] (4DaRecord)
Joao Madeira/Margarida Mestre -Voz Debaixo [CD] (4DaRecord)
Halls of the Machine -Atmospheres For Lovers And Sleepers [CASSETTE w/ DOWNLOAD] (Copy This!)
Rutger Zuydervelt -Meander [CDR] (Machinefabriek)
Birge & Vitet -Carton [CD] (GRRR)
Perturbations -Equilibrium Disturbed [CDR] (Evil Clown)
Leap Of Faith -Lexical and Syntactic Ambiguities [CDR] (Evil Clown)