San Francisco Bay Area bassist Lisa Mezzacappa's "garage jazz" quartet, a raw collective with an energized approach to jazz that focuses on band sound and chemistry.

The Boston free jazz piano trio MI3 switch from electronics to acoustics in this set that mixes obscure Ellington and Sun Ra numbers with edgy originals.

The duo of pianist Tonino Miano and trumpeter Brian Groder, both NY based, in a sophisticated jazz duo that borrows from melodic, avant and compositional jazz forms in a strong and compelling dialog.

A trio of Michigan creative music improvisers with wind player Piotr Michalowski, guitarist Jaime Rodriguez Matos and bassist/trumpter/percussionist Christopher M. Skebo in 3 studio and one live recording.

A long-term studio project/mutant big band merging collage, scored pieces, structured improvisations, cut-up jams, hi- and lo-fi textures, electroacoustic work, and location recording into large and wonderfully unpredictable compositions with few boundaries.

A collection of "stories untold" with varying line-ups, from a duo with Fala Mariam to a sextet with Mariam, Nuno Torres, Rodrigo Amado, Jose Bruno Parrinha & Paulo Curado, including the participation of other musicians like Carlos Santos, Hernani Faustino, Luis Desirat & Moz Carrapa.

Three groupings and three large works from Portugese trumpeter Sei Miguel, in bands including Rafael Toral, Erenesto Rodrigues, Nuno Tores, &c., performances of scores that he's written over the past 30 years that have never or have rarely been heard previously.

An album of direct, succint and turbulent conversation between guitarist Pedro Gomes and pocket trumpeter Sei Miguel performing live-in-studio by-the-book (of visions, the panorama key)!

A four part suite bridging compositional and improvisational music from Portugese pocket trumpeter Sei Miguel in a quintet including Rafael Toral on modulated electronics.

Miimo are a Japanese dub & electronica group consisting of Yoshio Machida, Norihide Saji and Tatsu, whose tracks have appeared in documentaries and TV spots throughout Japan.

Miimo are a Japanese dub & electronica group consisting of Yoshio Machida, Norihide Saji and Tatsu, whose tracks have appeared in documentaries and TV spots throughout Japan.

The improvising steelpan ensemble of Yoshio Machida (steel drums, percussion, electronics, PanKAT), Tatsu (bass, electronics) and Norihide Saji (drums, laptop, electronics) in their 3rd release, an alternative dub album, or music created by poly-rhythm and sound effects.

Using bass, drums, steelpan, electronics and programming, the trio of Tatsu, Norihide Saji and Amorfon label leader Yoshio Machida create a "pulse dub" album of polyrhythms and phase, producing warm, complex and embraceable music that includes a cover of Bjork's "Hyperballad".

The alternative dub steelpan trio of Yoshio Machida (steeldrums, voice, percussion, electronics), Tatus (bass, voice & electronics) and Norihide Saji (drums, laptop & electronics) for 10 tracks of embraceable tunes including a cover of Miles Davis "All Blues".

The French trio of Xavier Camarasa on piano, Valentin Ceccaldi on cello, and Sylvain Darrifourcq on percussion, having little to do with Mile Davis, but instead a creative band using timbral changes, intensity, density, volume to create unique improv environments.

Guitarist Nick Millevoi leads an ensemble that includes Jamie Saft on Hammond Organ, Ches Smith on drums, Johnny Deblase on bass, Dan Blacksberg on trombone and June Bender on violin, for an album equally embracing and subverting a wealth of rock and jazz forms.

UK improviser Matt Milton plays violin & objects, joined also by drummer/object-ist Patrick Farmer, violist David Thomas and voice/breath/snare player Ryan Jewell.

"Since the release of Sudori with his Sud Ensemble in 1995, Italian trumpeter Pino Minafra remained discreet as a leader, preferring to blend his voice among others in large-scale groups like the Italian Instabile Orchestra, Gianluigi T...

"Sudori is, simply put, an avant-jazz rollercoaster with blues, Dixieland, circus music, and free improvisation all tumbling in your stomach with strong Italian herbs and spices. Trumpeter Pino Minafra is accompanied by his Sud Ensemble...

NY Composer and Zs founder Alex Mincek's first release since 2011 also launches Sound American's Young Composer Portrait series, presenting 4 chamber works--"Pendulum VII"; selected movements from "Harmonielehre"; "Pneuma"; and "Torrent"--performed by Wet Ink Ensemble, Mivos Quartet, and Yarn/Wire, in a deluxe hardcover book package with interviews and notes.

A unconventional yet lyrical album of creative jazz from the New York quartet of Angelika Niescier on alto sax, Denman Maroney on hyperpiano, James Ilgenfritz on contrabass, and Andrew Drury on percussion, Maroney's piano preparations and Drury's objects complementing complex time signatures and intricate notated materials that yield lush, beautiful music.

Reissue of this long lost record joining Bill Golonis (The Work) with members of Ne Zhedali and Bing Selfish himself in a set of unusual and oddly literate songs.

Minton's 3rd release in his doughnut reduction series, solo vocal work in Minton's unique and inimitable style that he hopes will cheer you up in these troubled times.

Mir 8 brings electroacoustic artists Andrea Belfi (drums/percussion), Werner Dafeldecker (electroncis, bass), Hilary Jeffrey (trombone) and Tim Wright (computer & electronics) together for their debut album of four cinematic tracks following an abstract narrative through panoramic landscapes.

A map of the latitudes delineating the geographical area where the European - North American history of deforestation and resforestation has played out, in a work of guitar and field effects from Portugese artist Helen Mirra and sound artist Ernst Karel.

Blending field recordings of temples, rain, bells, cicadas, radios, and other regional sounds from Khmer & Siam with native music to create a rich audioscape of those exotic lands, both mysterious and liltingly melodic on a beautiful journey in sound.

Tomek Mirt resurrects the memory of Norwegian composer Arne Nordheimie through this five part work of slowly shifting electronics, tense atmospheres, and gentle murmurs, detailed work that reveals its meditative depth through repeated listenings.

Pianist Matt Mitchell, a member of saxophonist Tim Berne's Snakeoil, releases a solo album of Berne compositions, taking the reedist's typically frenetic material into unexpected territory, revealing dark beauty and intensely introspective aspects to Berne's music.

NY pianist and composer Matt Mitchell's quartet with reedist Chris Speed, bassist Christopher Tordini, and drummer Dan Weiss for an album of long-form improvisation that reflects on jazz tradition while expanding the possibilities between composition and improvisation.

The debut recording from NY pianist Matt Mitchell, in a duo with drummer Ches Smith on drums, percussion & vibes, 15 inventive original compositions written to push Mitchell's technical skills in improvisational settings, each an ingenious little puzzle.

An ambitious work from flautist, composer and conductor Nicole Mitchell writing for a large ensemble of improvisers, electronics, and chamber orchestra, a complex and layered work that reveals more with each listen.

Chicago flautist Mitchell's Black Earth Ensemble in a release inspired by the work of Afrofuturist writer Octavia Butler; powerful, dissonant and intense performances.

Chicago flautist Mitchell in a quartet with pianist Craig Taborn, saxophonist David Boykin and drummer Chad Taylor playing Mitchell's fascinating compositions of complex twists and turns.

Flautist Nicole Mitchell's solo album of her own impromptu compositions and interpretations of other artists' works composed for her, reflecting her deep relationship with nature and her instrument.

The second astounding album from Chicago Flutist Nicole Mitchell on the FPE label, continuing her project in the sphere of Sun Ra and Afrofuturists, merging fiction, fantasy and sound in an electro-chamber octet, encompassing contemporary classical, globally oriented fusion, gospel, avant-rock, spoken word, and funk-inspired groove research.

Reeds and electronics from Art Ensemble's Roscoe Mitchell and improviser David Wessel in a DVD from the Paris IRCAM festival, 2004, and a CD of a 2002 live recording at UC Berkeley.

Composer Roscoe Mitchell prepared two compositions with space for improvisation, as well as a Cards composition in which the musicians received six cards with written material that were then arranged in any order and played at any tempo.

A beautiful set of compositions from saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell, presenting works recorded in the 2000s with performers including Thomas Buckner, Stephen Rush, Nils Bultman, William Winant, &c.

Chicago flautist Nicole Mitchell presents a work inspired by photographs from scholar and leader of social justice, W.E.B. Dubois, about African American prosperity after the civil war, a rich and compelling set of compositions performed in an ensemble of superb Chicago improvisers.

The unusual cello duo format is explored by Mitzlaff and Mira in these experimental contemporary improvisations using acoustics and techniques mimicking live electronics to create a uniquely informed music.

The 2nd release from the electroacoustic improvising trio of Jason Kahn (analog synthesizer), Gunter Muller (percussion-based samples and electronics) and Norbert Moslang (cracked everyday electronics), performing live at Les Instants Chavires in Paris, France.

Master improvisers Joelle Leandre (double bass), Fred Frith (guitar), Alvin Curran (electronics, piano) and Urs Leimgruber (saxophones) in a new quartet for a live, abstract recording that moves at a fast past.

Rich, subtle and unusual improv from the MillsMusicMafia (MMM) Quartet of Joelle Leandre on double bass, Fred Frith on electric guitar, Alvin Curran on keys, and Urs Leimgruber on sax, recording these spiritual and detailed improvisations live at Jazz em Agosto in Portugal.

Seven days of "Vacation Music" titled by the weekdays from the duo of Liudas Mockunas from Lithuania on saxophones and clarinets, and Ryoji Hojito from Japan on piano, small instruments and voice.

Studio recordings and one live track from Lithuanian saxophonist Liudas Mockunas' trio with fellow homelanders, pianist Dmitrij Golovanov and drummer Marijus Aleksa, extended free jazz balancing heavy and beautiful approaches to improv.

The next step in Iranian-American saxophonist Hafez Modirzadeh's quest to create a seamless cross-cultural exchange of musical structures between the Persian dastgah and American jazz.

A most unusual trio: actually a quartet, this Polish/Ukraine group has three strings (violin, cello, contrabass) with modular synth and electronics reinforcing their sound, less EA than chamber jazz with fascinating orchestration and wonderful harmonic and melodic invention.

Reedist Frode Gjerstad leads the multi-national quartet of Louis Moholo on drums, Nick Stephens on bass and Fred Lonberg-Holm on cello, 4 superb players in a 4-part free improvisation of animated and intertwining dialog that enthusiastically carries the listener.

The first meeting by pianist Marily Crispell and drummer Louis Moholo-Moholo in seven extended and inspired duets that well show their vast wealth of experience.

Norwegian reedist Frode Gjerstad in three extended duos with legendary South African drummer Louis Moholo for sensitive, creative and engaging freely improvised music from two masters, performed live in concert at Gallery Sult in Stavanger, 2013.

"Exosphere is the follow up to Mekhaanu-La Foret des Mecanismes Sauvages(Insubordinations Netlabel, 2013) and like that album, Exosphere features Moimeme on his two home-made electric guitars, enhancers and assorted sound devices. The s...

Another strong instrumental rock album, blending heavy prog, free jazz and psychedelia with forceful and technically excellent guitar work from leader Mollestad, backed by fellow Norwegians Ellen Brekken on bass and Ivar Loe Bjornstad on drums; keeping the 70s alive!

Collecting early works from this gifted vocalist and performer, studio and live recordings from 1966-1980 in NYC, Connecticut, Montreal, California, Berlin.

The young Norwegian trio of Christian Winther (acoustic guitar), Magnus Nergaard ( double bass) and Jan Martin Gismervik ( double bass) joined by legendary sax player Frode Gjerstad for open-minded, introspective and unpredictable improvisation bridging two generations.

Limited edition CDR from AT's Byways series, a stunning piece for solo cymbal, demonstrating an extraordinary variety and musicality from such limited means.

Two New York jazz originals, pianist Connie Crothers and alto saxophonist Jemeel Moondoc, performing 6 improvisations and one original compositions from each artist; melodic and deeply sensitive playing.

A series of exceptional compositions by saxophonist Jemeel Moondoc plus one by Alice Coltrane, performed in a variety of group settings, from duos to quintet, with sidemen Matthew Shipp, Roy Campbell, Steve Swell, Hilliard Greene, and Newman Taylor Baker.

The Ex's guitarist Andy Moor plays solo on 16 tracks of overdubbed and multi-tracked guitar that was recorded between 2003 and 2006.

The eclectic and gifted solo pop artist R.Stevie Moore's first LP, recorded by himself from 1974-76 around Nashville; strange, compelling, sometimes brilliant, always engaging!

A solo electric guitar soundtrack to James Nares' film "Street" performed by Thurston Moore, freely improvising in a dynamic and impressive performance recorded live at the Rubloff Auditorium at the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago's 2012 Marshmallow Festival brought together improvising drummer Frank Rosaly with New York guitarist Thurston Moore for a thick 35 minute improvisation that builds in intensity as Moore's drive and Rosaly's vehement interaction take the listener on a monumental journey.

Under the name "Caught on Tape", Sonic Youth guitarist Thurston Moore and John Moloney from Sunburned Hand of the Man deliver a set of heavy duos that swing through quiet dynamics and thick riffs, evoking both free/out jazz and beautiful SY-like rock moments.

"In 1996, Thurston Moore was still mostly known for his work with the rock group Sonic Youth. In 1996, the Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville was an established institution in the realm of serious experimental, ...

Recorded in Istanbul, Turkey, guitarist Thurston Moore teams up with Konstrukt guitarist Umut Caglar to record these three rich and twisting pieces, each guitarist extracting unique performances from the other over three pieces that draw on technique and effects to create fragile and heavy sonic environments, an impressive album of modern guitar potential.

Ikue Mori's Obelisk project brings together her unique electronics with Downtown Scene key players, Jim Black on drums, Okkyung Lee on cello, and Sylvie Courvoisier on piano, an album driven by Mori's melodic compositions that take unexpected twists and turns in dramatic and lyrical playing, Mori's electronics bringing an exotic charm and ringing beauty to her works.

Phantom Orchard's latest demonstrates the unique improvisational language and rapport built on decades of collaboration between downtown NY-ers Ikue Mori and Zeena Parkins.

One of the pioneers of laptop electronics, Mori here features her idiosyncratic take on contemporary dance rhythms and electronica in instrumental tracks and an animated video.

A beautifully paced and uniquely voiced album of electronic soundscapes from luminary New York performer Ikue Mori, 10 works including a realization of Izumi Kyoka's story "Koya Hijuri", 3 pieces for Mozu birds, the 2-part "Pomegranate Seeds", and one of Zorn's Masada compositions.

Secret Tempo juxtaposes NY saxophonist Jonathan Moritz' feel of jazz with elements of modern compositional and improvised music, from Bird to Webster, Webern to lowercase, as performed with his trio of bassist Shayna Dulberger and drummer Mike Pride.