Different Noises

This week an exploration of jazz that spans the spectrum from the vibrant energy of big band arrangements to the avant-garde edges of the contemporary scene. This selection bridges the gap between legendary icons and the modern innovators pushing the genre into new territories. Throughout the playlist, you will find a dialogue between structure and spontaneity. Whether it is the soulful precision of Roy Hargrove and Buster Williams, the boundary-breaking collaborations of Mary Halvorson and Ambrose Akinmusire, or the deep, atmospheric explorations of Miles Davis, each track offers a distinct perspective on rhythm and melody. From the rhythmic drive of Nolatet to the radical textures of Irreversible Entanglements, this set is designed to take you on a journey through the multifaceted world of modern jazz improvisation. PLAYLIST

A stunning collection of new releases is dominated by music from Melbourne tracking the importance of music from that city. This collection is notable for its stylistic range, seamlessly bridging the gap between historical post-punk and avant-garde contemporary compositions. It covers a wide area, from raw, archival energy and gritty, guitar-driven storytelling to atmospheric folk-electronica. The selection balances high-intensity moments and driving rhythms against meditative depth and avant-classical precision. By weaving together iconic voices with idiosyncratic experimentalism, the set serves as a sophisticated exploration of music as an evolving dialogue between tradition and subversion. PLAYLIST

The present and the past collide in this twelve release set of new albums. The first five featured tracks are from recently recorded material demonstrating the best modern jazz can offer. The remaining seven tracks are historical recordings, never before released, from the Elemental and Resonance labels for Record Store Day 2026. All of these capture the excitement of live jazz through the sixties, seventies and eighties and feature some of the best musicians from those three decades. PLAYLIST

This collection weaves together a diverse tapestry of sound, moving seamlessly through atmospheric avant-garde textures, driving post-punk rhythms, and experimental jazz explorations. From the raw energy of live archival recordings to the intricate layering of modern neo-classical compositions, the selection prioritises a sense of discovery and sonic depth. It is a journey that feels both cinematic and intimate, balancing moments of brooding intensity with passages of ethereal beauty to create a truly immersive listening experience. PLAYLIST

This collection offers a sophisticated exploration of contemporary jazz, weaving together a tapestry of modern compositions and reimagined classics. From intimate instrumental dialogues and avant-garde textures to expansive ensemble arrangements, the selection highlights a diverse range of artistic voices and improvisational brilliance. Whether through subtle melodic nuances or bold harmonic shifts, each track contributes to a larger narrative of creative discovery and musical mastery, providing a rich listening experience that spans the full breadth of the genre’s current landscape. PLAYLIST

This selection is a lesson in sonic contrast, weaving through everything from the experimental textures of Ana Roxanne and Matt Evans to the sharp, post-punk energy of mclusky and House Of All. It is a list that refuses to settle, moving fluidly between the jazz-fusion depth of Miles Davis, the memorable storytelling of The Go-Betweens, and the heavier, doom-laden atmospheres of Clouds Taste Satanic. Whether you are here for the intricate rhythms of Baklava Express or the quintessential wit of Half Man Half Biscuit, this collection offers a journey through the fringes of contemporary sound. It is a playlist designed for those who appreciate the beauty in the unconventional and the brilliance found in the gaps between genres. Enjoy the exploration. PLAYLIST

This collection offers a sophisticated journey through the expansive landscape of contemporary jazz, balancing reverent interpretations of the tradition with bold, experimental frontiers. From intimate trio dialogues and reimagined standards to the sweeping textures of modern orchestral arrangements, these selections highlight the genre’s remarkable ability to evolve while staying rooted in its core values of improvisation and rhythmic rigour. Whether exploring the avant-garde edges of the New York scene or the storied heritage of European jazz, this playlist serves as a testament to the enduring creative spirit and technical brilliance of today’s most compelling improvisers. We close with two tracks from Mike Westbrook who sadly passed on April 11th. PLAYLIST Joe Lovano, Julian Lage, Asante Santi Debriano, Will Calhoun “First Song” from Paramount Quartet (ECM Records) 00:00 New England Jazz Collaborative “Ol’ Liminal” from Tributaries (ACP Records) 07:12 Peter Erskine “Bop Be” from Peregrine (Hard Wag Records) 11:01 George “Jerry” Gilliam “Stolen Moments” from It’s Playtime Jerry (Meta Jax) 17:23 Steven Bernstein “Woodstock” from ResoNation Trio (Royal Potato Family) 23:57 Steven Bernstein “Erbium 1” from Ultra Resonance (Royal Potato Family) 27:51 Ben Flocks “Old Devil Moon” from Moonshades (West Cliff Records) 32:39 Maria Schneider “A World Lost/American Crow Revisited (Alternate Take)” from American Crow (ArtistShare®) 37:23 Franck Amsallem “Bud Will Be Back Shortly” from Summer Times (Fram Music) 55:42 David Bowden “Singing Sands” from Unsung Songs (David Bowden Music) 1:04:43 Carl Clements And The Real Jazz Trio “Selene In Respose” from Retrospective (Greydisc) 1:08:07 Phil Haynes, Ben Monder, Peyton Pleninger “Moonrise Aurora Starlit Meteor” from Terra (Corner Store Jazz) 1:17:52 Michael Formanek “New Old World” from New Digs (Intakt Records) 1:36:27 Mike Westbrook Concert Band “Folk Song” from The Last Night At The Old Place (Cadillac) 1:47:46 Mike Westbrook “Metropolis IX” from Live 1972 (Cadillac) 1:55:31

Much of the music on this weeks offering has a quiet ambience which offers a healing solace in these crazy times. There is some noisy stuff as well to shake things up plus the usual selection of current featured releases and old favourites. PLAYLIST Plz Respond - Budgets & Bootstraps - Budgets & Bootstraps Hooper - Roxton - Super Duper Radian - Fathom - Subterfuge Radwan Ghazi Moumneh and Frédéric D. Oberland - A Silence With No Ceiling - Eternal Life No End Rick Morris & David McClymont - set up to sell my soul - Chiaroscuro Gee & Tee - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised : Keep Our Eyes Open - Gil In Dub Elaine Palmer - Once Were Lovers - Some Seek Silver Some Seek Gold Willem Heylen - Fast - Short Stories Pan•American - Desert Under Bridge - Fly The Ocean In A Silver Plane Linden Pomeroy - The Handmade Star - The Cat Sang Out Allison Cameron and Scott Thomson - Bark - Platanus Lowsunday - Nevver - Low Sunday Ghost Machine - White EP The Go-Betweens - Woman Across The Way - G Stands For Go-Betweens Vol 3 Asteroid Ekosystem - April Dance - Sounds Have Dreams Clare Moore - Yes! Fat Chicks - The Third Woman Hugo Race Fatalists - Bad Dreams - I Made It All Up For You Moff Skellington - storrigossom - Portrait Of A Humble Tribe Miles Davis - Lonely Fire/Feio - The Complete Bitches Brew Sessions

This selection offers a captivating journey through the expansive landscapes of contemporary jazz and avant-garde exploration, highlighting the incredible breadth of modern improvisation. By weaving together delicate chamber textures, spirited orchestral arrangements, and the visceral energy of experimental fusion, the sequence prioritises a sense of constant discovery. From intimate melodic conversations to the sprawling, historic depths of genre-defining masterworks, these tracks reflect a shared commitment to pushing boundaries while maintaining a profound emotional resonance. This is music designed for those who appreciate the interplay between structured tradition and the thrill of the unknown. PLAYLIST Ashley Jackson “Udhero Na (feat. Emi Ferguson) from Cover Girl (Decca Records) 00:00 Igor Gehenot Trio “Shining Face” from Shining Face (Hypnote Records/Igloo Records) 05:24 Florian Arbenz “Stomp” from Conversation_Lab 2025 (Hammer Recordings) 11:50 Fie Schouten, Vincent Courtois, Sofia Borges, Pierre Baux “the bed & the room” from Open Space (Relative Pitch Records) 27:04 Goal Weight: Maggie Cox and Jennifer Gersten “Your New Uncle” from Keep Telling Yourself That (Relative Pitch Records) 33:22 Amelia Ya’el “Beneath The Waves” from Voices 1 (Signbearer Records) 43:52 São Paulo Underground “Arnus Nusar” from Beija Flors Velho E Sujo (Cuneiform Records) 49:45 Jazzlab Orchestra “Night Bus” from Glissement du temps (Effendi Records) 57:31 Michel Bénébig Quartet “Tchubedu Blue” from Live at ATO (Rattle Records) 1:08:49 Teiku “Khasul Seydur Peysakh (Chasman melody)” from Klang (Gingko Records) 1:24:57 Jean Derome & Somebody Special “The Smile” from Le Sourire (Ambiances Magnétiques) 1:32:17 Miles Davis “Bitches Brew” from The Complete Bitches Brew Sessions (Columbia/Legacy) 1:39:50

The somewhat unhinged eclecticism of this 32 portion collection is not the product of any specific programming but instead a basic listing of what has arrived in my in-box, and has passed muster. In the press releases for some of them there are several examples of comparators with what is presented (the ubiquitous RIYL) and I often find them lacking insight or understanding. Best to make your own mind up and stop putting things in convenient boxes. PLAYLIST

This playlist of all new releases offers a sophisticated journey through the expansive landscape of contemporary and classic jazz, seamlessly transitioning between structured elegance and avant-garde exploration. Listeners are invited to traverse a sonic terrain that ranges from intimate, tradition-steeped trio performances and lush big band arrangements to the more challenging, textural fringes of free improvisation. Whether grounded by melodic warmth or propelled by experimental rhythmic structures, the collection captures a broad spectrum of instrumental dialogue, celebrating both the quiet precision of the acoustic form and the vibrant energy of spontaneous, collaborative creation. PLAYLIST

This selection offers a deep dive into the experimental and the atmospheric, weaving together a tapestry of psych-rock, avant-garde textures, and dry wit. It is a sequence that thrives on contrast—moving from heavy, hypnotic rhythms and swampy voodoo to lo-fi charm and the minimalist beauty of contemporary compositions. The journey transitions seamlessly between moments of dense, sonic saturation and stripped-back introspection. Whether it is the gritty electronics or the intricate arrangements, the tracks are united by a shared sense of unconventional exploration with a hypnotic groove attached. It is a collection designed for focused listening, where the strange and the familiar collide in unexpected ways. PLAYLIST

This selection offers a sophisticated journey through the expansive landscape of contemporary and classic jazz, seamlessly blending intricate post-bop textures with avant-garde exploration and orchestral grandeur. From the evocative, cinematic atmospheres to the raw, legendary improvisations, the tracks traverse a broad spectrum of emotional and technical brilliance. Modern leaders provide a fresh dialogue between tradition and innovation, ensuring a listening experience that is as intellectually stimulating as it is harmonically rich. Whether navigating the tightly knit polyrhythms of a modern quintet or the expansive fusion of the Bitches Brew era, this playlist serves as a testament to the enduring versatility and creative depth of the genre. PLAYLIST

Graney and Moore are back with a new album at the end of next month. The first offering from the release comments on the perils of success. It’s highly unlikely that the vast amount of music in this playlist will achieve the levels of success or recognition they deserve. As Mr Graney opines perhaps that success or indeed recognition is a distraction from the creative process and exposes one to all sorts of nastiness/strangeness. Success is better measured by quality of output rather than clicks. PLAYLIST Dave Graney and Clare Moore - Hits Are The Worst Xenonaut - Anhedonia/Aponia Eamon The Destroyer - A Pewter Wolf - Senji Niban Remix Glissandro 70 - Bolan Muppets - Dan Bodan Remix Station Model Violence - Heat (Single Version) The Mandevilles - Every Bit Of Violence Cracked Hands - Culpability Shane Sato and Box Dream - Deep Dive Last Scene Alive - Any Man Worth His Salt Claire Dickson - Doors Eamon The Destroyer - My Stars - No Mates Ensemble Remix Conor Hanick - The Book of Sounds 10 Celliacus - La doctrina de la conservación The Go-Betweens - Going Blind (Larry Crane Rough Mix) Agent Starling - Enigma Half Man Half Biscuit - Birmos In The Cowshed Asteroid Ekosystem - Storm Advance Clare Moore - The Secondhand Man Elkeyes - Evensong Moff Skellington - a question for the dogdirt man Eamon The Destroyer - Underscoring The Blues - Société Cantine Remix Shane Sato and Braxton Cook - Surfliner Royal Commission - The Woman (Who Cannot Be Named) Neon Crabs - White Collar Witch

The continuum of exploration in the world of jazz runs through this set of fourteen releases, twelve of them brand new. Jazz keeps pressing at its own boundaries while drawing structure and ideas from other musical forms, the result is a playlist that moves cleanly between contrasting approaches. The closing track is presented as a tribute to Don Cherry, yet its energy and scale echo electric‑period Miles Davis, a timely reminder of his influence in his centenary year PLAYLIST

Straight ahead pop/rock moves into extreme metal/rock, an interval for some classic art-rock, and electronic remix and then a selection of current featured releases. PLAYLIST

This collection is designed as a sophisticated exploration of contemporary jazz, traversing the boundary between structured melody and avant-garde expression. The sequence balances rhythmic vitality with expansive, experimental soundscapes, offering a rich contrast between technical brilliance and raw emotional depth. Featuring a diverse array of instrumental textures and evocative vocal moments, the playlist provides a comprehensive look at the genre’s modern evolution. PLAYLIST

Older tunes, newer tunes, artists who have been around for a while but are still active, and brand new projects. The common denominator is that they were/are producing excellent music which pushes boundaries and challenges the status quo. Unlike the disposable “popular” music which infests the mainstream, this collection endures. PLAYLIST

This selection offers a sophisticated journey through the contemporary jazz landscape, balancing the refined elegance of established labels with the bold spirit of independent releases. From expansive orchestral arrangements and intimate live performances to experimental dialogues and vibrant global influences, the playlist captures a diverse array of textures and moods. Whether exploring melodic introspection or energetic improvisation, these tracks collectively celebrate the evolving colour and depth of modern creative music. PLAYLIST Brian Landrus “Averse” from Just When You Think You Know (BlueLand Palmetto Records) 00:00 Sean Imboden Large Ensemble “The Gentle Giant” from Uncharted Realms (Self Released) 07:28 Marilyn Crispell, Anders Jormin “Dialogue” from Momento (ECM Records) 15:18 Bill Frisell “Isfahan (Live)” from In My Dreams (Blue Note Records) 19:47 Brian Molley Quartet “Dance of the Waves” from Tùs Origin (BGMM Records) 26:18 Henrique Mota “Echoes Of China” from Waning Moon (Self Released) 31:03 Jordan Williams “Blue Ridge” from Playing By Ear (Red Records) 35:13 Gregory Golub “African Passions” from African and Other Jazz Passions (Gregory Golub Music Concept) 41:42 Leslie Vincent “Harriet The Spy” from Little Black Book (Jazz Is Cool Records) 45:47 Peter Furlan Project “Return to the Be-Bop Tango” from Live At Maureen’s Jazz Cellar (Beany Bops) 48:33 Pat Bianci “Wise One” from Confluence (21H Records) 56:26 PARRA.DICE “At Ease” from TURN THE DICE (Self Released) 1:06:27 Living With Tollways “Garbage Fire Of Innuendo” from Eponymously Titled (Signbearer Records) 1:11:14 Shawn Maxwell “The Last 10 Kilometers” from Frenetic Domain (Cora Street Records) 1:20:07 Feine Katzen Orchestra “Nine Laments” from Miaousic Is Our Mother Tongue (Rote Welt Records) 1:27:16 Tomeka Reid “Under The Aurora Sky” from dance! skip! hop! (Out Of Your Head Records) 1:42:20 Adam Larison and Richard Gilman-Opalsky “Other Powers Than Theirs” from Ancient Universalities (Ramble Records) 1:53:59 Francesca Remigi & Fabian Mösch “(What) You Will Find (Excerpt}” from Hoarse (Habitable Records) 2:07:54

A new album from Hugo Race is always something to celebrate and he is in fine form on his latest, which kicks off the playlist. As for the rest, a selection of contrasting styles - starts loud, goes contemporary composition, gets ambient, features some current obsessions and then gets noisy again. PLAYLIST Hugo Race Fatalists - Against The World 2 Lost Souls - Unfunky Neon Crabs - Crisis On Infinite Crabs Bleak Squad - A Suitcase In Berlin Satellite Inn - Faded By Time The Ex-Bombers - In Music City FÄHM - Ruby Laclan X Morris - Illusionaires This House - Out in the Westlands Barbican Quartet - Enigma Variations Op.36 Nimrod Mativetsky Amiri Pagé - Metamorphose Hannah Marshall - Peasantry (Except) Meredith Bates - 3rd incantation (binding) Anne Efternøler, Maria Laurette Friis, Johanna Borchert - A bitter comfort for no-one & me shrube - Flat Battery The Green Apple Sea - Dark Kid Episode 5 (Big Heart) The Go-Betweens - He Lives My Life (Larry Crane Rough Mix) Agent Starling - The Charm Half Man Half Biscuit - I’m Going Out Of My Mind Trying To Get Into Yours 2 Lost Souls - The Real Thing Clare Moore - Parchman Farm Elkeyes - Thalassaphobia Mark Snarski - I’ve Got A Bullet In My Heart And Fifteen Minutes To Tell You That I Love You Moff Skellington - o me little peters gone to sea Salem Trials - Impressed Neon Crabs - Near To My Eye The Parasite - Dreaming Out Of The Slow Lane 2 Lost Souls - These Days Aye Mammoth - Aetherium Mad Professor - Africa 1983 Dub