Overlooked genius from Henry Threadgill – one of his under-exposed 80s sessions for the About Time label, and work that's every bit as great as his better-known sides for Delmark or Black Saint! The group here has a nice sense of freedom and interplay – almost a quality that hearkens back to Threadgill's roots in the AACM, thanks to strong contributions from Craig Harris on trombone, Olu Dara on trumpet, Fred Hopkins on bass, Deidre Murray on cello, and both Pheeroan Aklaff and John Betsch on percussion. The tracks are nicely arranged, but never too stiffly – and titles include "Cremation", "Black Blues", "Gateway", and "Just The Facts And Pass The Bucket". CD

Henry Threadgill on alto saxophone, Brandon Ross and Ed Cherry on guitar, Edwin Rodriguez and Marcus Rojas on tuba, Mark Taylor on French horn, and Pheeroan Aklaff on drums. CD

One of the most beautiful, lyrical albums we've ever heard from Henry Threadgill – a set that still has all the sharp edges you might know from his other work, but which also comes across with a slightly more sensitive sound as well! The compositions are beautiful – really well-written, longer-thought concepts by Threadgill – perfectly paired with a lineup that includes Craig Harris on trombone, Olu Dara on cornet, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Pheeroan Aklaff and John Betsch on drums – players who work well with Henry's flute, alto, and tenor to craft these deep-feeling lines amidst inventive rhythms. Production is great – very unassuming, and just right for the mood – and titles include "Melin", "10 to 1", "Just B", "When Was That", and "Soft Suicide At The Baths". CD

When the album starts with a heavy drumbreak, you know you're in different territory than usual for Henry Threadgill – yet that's always also the appeal of his music, that we never know what to expect! Drummer Gene Lake cooks up the set right from the start, but a key part of the sound is also from the twin electric guitar work of Brandon Ross and Masujaa on guitars – both players who create these intertwining chromatic elements that are really beautiful, in a bass-less group that's balanced out by deep end work on two tubas, handled by Marcus Rojas and Edwin Rodriguez! The pace changes quickly as the album moves on – into territory that's more spare, and more filled with the kind of tonal, color-based explorations that Threadgill does so well. The leader blows alto and flute, Curtis Fowlkes is also in the group on trombone – and titles include "Exacto", "In The Ring", "Hope A Hope A", "Bee Dee Aff", "Drivin You Slow & Crazy", and "First Church Of This". LP, Vinyl record album

A nice little set from Henry Threadgill – one of the albums that gave him greatest exposure to a bigger audience, and a set that pushes the sound of his work nicely! The record's got some of those touches from a time when the AACM was reaching out with its sound from earlier years – a mode that's not exactly more inside, but certainly more overtly expressive about its intentions, and sometimes a bit more melodically focused than freely improvisatory. There's echoes here of work the Art Ensemble and Amina Claudine Myers were doing during the same stretch – and the lack of commercial success of the record shouldn't indicate any aesthetic failure at all. Asha Puthli makes a surprising vocal appearance on the track "My Rock", and other players include Frank Lacy, Diedre Murray, Fred Hopkins, Pheeroan Aklaff, and Reggie Nicholson. Titles include "Award The Squadtett", "Hall", "Spotted Duck Is Pudding", and "I Can't Wait Till I Get Home". CD

Henry Threadgill on alto saxophone and flute, Tony Cedras on accordion and harmonium, Brandon Ross on electric and classical guitar, Stomu Takeishi on fretless bass, and JT Lewis on drums. CD

Henry Threadgill on flute and alto saxophone, Liberty Ellman on guitar, Jose Davila on trombone and tuba, Christopher Hoffman on cello, and Elliot Humberto Kavee on drums and percussion.. CD

Features Curtis Robert Macdonald on alto, Roman Filiu on alto sax and flute, Jose Davila on tuba, Crhistopher Hoffman on cello, David Bryant and Luis Perdomo on piano, David Virelles on piano and harmonium, and Craig Weinrib on drums and percussion. CD

Overlooked genius from Henry Threadgill – one of his under-exposed 80s sessions for the About Time label, and work that's every bit as great as his better-known sides for Delmark or Black Saint! The group here has a nice sense of freedom and interplay – almost a quality that hearkens back to Threadgill's roots in the AACM, thanks to strong contributions from Craig Harris on trombone, Olu Dara on trumpet, Fred Hopkins on bass, Deidre Murray on cello, and both Pheeroan Aklaff and John Betsch on percussion. The tracks are nicely arranged, but never too stiffly – and titles include "Cremation", "Black Blues", "Gateway", and "Just The Facts And Pass The Bucket". CD

Features Curtis MacDonald and Roman Filiu on alto saxophone, Jose Davila on tuba, David Virelles and Jason Moran on piano, Christopher Hoffman on cello, and Craig Weinrib on drums. CD

Threadgill plays alto sax and bass flute and is joined by Ted Daniels on trumpet and flugelhorn, Bill Lowe on bass trombone, Diedre Murry on cello, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Newman Barker and Reggie Nicholson on drums and percussion. 4 tracks in all, including "Off The Rag", "The Devil Is On The Loose And Dancin' With A Monkey", "Gift", and "Sweet Holy Rag". CD

Henry Threadgill on alto saxophone, flute and bass flute, Roman Filiu on alto flute and alto saxophone, Curtis Macdonald on alto saxophone, Ben Gerstein and Jacob Garchik on trombone, Jonathan Finlayson and Stephanie Richards on trumpet, Jose Davila on tuba, David Bryant on piano, David Virelles on piano and harmonium, Christopher Hoffman on celo, Liberty Ellman on guitar, Thomas Morgan on bass, and Craig Weinrib and Elliott Humberto Kavee on drums and percussion. CD

Henry Threadgill on flute and alto saxophone, Stomu Takeishi on bass, Elliot Humberto Kavee on drums, Liberty Ellman on guitar, and Jose Davila on trombone and tuba. CD

Henry Threadgill on alto saxophone and flutes – with Jose Davila on trombone and tuba, Liberty Ellman on guitar, Stomu Takeishi on bass, and Elliot Humberto Kavee on drums. CD

Henry Threadgill on alto and flutes – with Brandon Ross and Masujaa on guitars, Gene Lake on drums, and guest percussion from Miguel Urbina and Johnny Rudas. Produced by Bill Laswell. CD

Compelling compositions from the great Henry Threadgill – recorded here with a really like-minded batch of players who perfectly help him realize his musical vision! There's a nicely snakey feel to some of the tunes here – almost a journey in jazz expression from the left side of the spectrum – lead with a bit more strength than some of Threadgill's other contemporaries, but still allowing plenty of room for solo expression! Two percussionists drive the ensemble – Pheeroan Aklaff and John Betsch – and other players include Ray Anderson on trombone, Rasul Siddik on trumpet, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Deidre Murray on cello – as well as Threadgill himself on flute, alto, tenor, and clarinet. Amina Claudine Myers contributes vocals on one number – "A Piece Of Software", which features lyrics by Cassandra Wilson – and other titles include "Just Trinity The Man", "Homeostasis", "Higher Places", "Subject To Change", and "This". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most beautiful, lyrical albums we've ever heard from Henry Threadgill – a set that still has all the sharp edges you might know from his other work, but which also comes across with a slightly more sensitive sound as well! The compositions are beautiful – really well-written, longer-thought concepts by Threadgill – perfectly paired with a lineup that includes Craig Harris on trombone, Olu Dara on cornet, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Pheeroan Aklaff and John Betsch on drums – players who work well with Henry's flute, alto, and tenor to craft these deep-feeling lines amidst inventive rhythms. Production is great – very unassuming, and just right for the mood – and titles include "Melin", "10 to 1", "Just B", "When Was That", and "Soft Suicide At The Baths". LP, Vinyl record album

Prime late 70s AACM/loft jazz material, composed and led by Threadgill, and featuring groups that include avant players like Joseph Jarman, Douglas Ewart, Amina Claudine Myers, and Rufus Reid. Titles include "Sir Simpleton", "Celebration", and "Air Song" – and most tracks have some poetic vocals, sung by Myers. LP, Vinyl record album

With Threadgill on bass flute, alto, and tenor, Rasul Sadik on trumpet, Frank Lacy on trombone, Deirdre Murray on cello, Fred Hopkins on bass, and both Pheeroan Aklaff and Reggie Nicholson on percussion – each getting a different channel of the recording! Titles include "Silver & Gold Baby Silver & Gold", "Bermuda Blues", "Good Times", and "Those Who Eat Cookies". CD

One of their early classics, and still one of the greatest groups with roots in the Chicago AACM scene! The lineup is wonderful – drums and percussion from the late Steve McCall, bass from Fred Hopkins, and alto, tenor, and flute from the always-amazing Henry Threadgill! The group do a wonderful job reworking older themes from Jelly Roll Morton and Scott Joplin – plus Threadgill's own "Paille Street" – a really amazing mix of eras and styles on one record. CD

A seminal 70s set from the legendary Air trio – and one of their wonderful non-American dates from the early years – material recorded overseas, where this famous AACM trio was maybe getting more attention than in the US! The album was originally a Japanese-only album, and it's easily one of the group's greatest of the decade – a sublime set that really has them working strongly in their AACM roots, yet also reaching for a new sound too – a beautiful balance between jazz generations, carried off perfectly by the trio of Henry Threadgill on reeds, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Steve McCall on drums! Tracks are long, and extremely inventive – and titles include "Through A Keyhole Darkly", "Air Raid", and "Midnight Sun". CD

One of the best albums ever by this legendary Chicago trio – a great example of the way that records on the Nessa label can really get to the heart of artists' intentions! The trio of Henry Threadgill on reeds, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Steve McCall on percussion have never sounded better – and have this intimate, soulful interplay that's sometimes missing from other efforts – that special kind of energy that makes the AACM so great when it's really clicking this well – as deeply spiritual as it is freely expressive! Threadgill plays alto, tenor, bass flute, and the compelling hubkaphone – and titles include "I'll Be Right Here Waiting", "No 2", "GvE", "Subtraction", and "Keep Right On Playing Thru The Mirror Over The Water". LP, Vinyl record album

Quite possibly our favorite album ever from Chico Freeman – a beautiful set that was originally issued only in Japan, and which has Chico hitting some of his strongest, most spiritual modes on record! The album features Freeman's reeds in the company of other Chicagoans – AACM players who include Henry Threadgill on saxes, Muhal Richard Abrams on piano, and Steve McCall on percussion – plus added work from Cecil McBee on bass and Ben Montgomery on drums – both players who round out the group with a very solid rhythmic focus. There's a bold sense of direction to this record that you don't always get in other work from Chico – a sound that's almost more Strata East at points, and which serves to bring the AACM players into sharp formation, and a strongly rhythmic orientation at times. The whole thing's wonderful – very well-crafted, and filled with spirit and soul – and titles include "The In Between", "Like The Kind Of Peace It Is", "Morning Prayer", "Pepe's Samba", and "Conversations". CD also features a bonus 19 minute version of "Pepe's Samba". CD

Always the master storyteller, Kip Hanrahan turns his unique musical vision to source material from 1001 Arabian Nights – interweaving stories from the text with jazz-based expression, augmented by spoken and vocal passages. Carmen Lundy sings quite a bit on the record – which is a real treat to our ears, as its great to hear her in such a left-field project – and other artists on the set include Don Pullen, Milton Cardona, Mike Cain, Jack Bruce, JT Lewis, and Henry Threadgill. Tracks include "Diente De Oro", "Aziz & Azizah", "Dunya's Nocturnal Realization", "The Hasheater's Tale", "The Angel Charles & The Caravans Of Jinns & Dreams", and "The Jewish Doctor's Tale". CD

A trio of albums from the great David Murray! Ming is beautifully arranged work from David Murray – an important early large group recording, one that really helped point the way to some of his later genius! The session features Murray leading an all-star octet that includes Henry Threadgill on alto, Olu Dara on trumpet, Butch Morris on cornet, George Lewis on trombone, Anthony Davis on piano, Wilbur Morris on bass, and Steve McCall on percussion. Tracks are a very hip set of original compositions that display an incredible range of soulful feeling and expression – and which open a door to a whole new chapter of Murray's career. Titles include "Ming", "Dewey's Circle", "Jasvan", "The Fast Life", and "The Hill". Sacred Ground is a beautifully spiritual set that really reminds us of the promise we first heard in his music decades ago! Murray's working here with a lean, soulful ensemble that includes Lafayette Gilchrist on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Andrew Cyrille on drums – all in a groove that has plenty of sharp edges, but which is also nicely inside – very focused, and with a sense of depth that's really wonderful! All tracks are originals by Murray – penned with the sensitivity of an older soul jazz recording – and two numbers feature lyrics by Ishmael Reed, sung by Cassandra Wilson on guest vocals. Titles include "Sacred Ground", "Transitions", "Family Reunion", "The Prophet Of Doom", "Believe In Love", and "Banished". Lucky Four is a gentler set than some of David Murray's other US dates from the time – but in a really great way that nicely gets at the more sensitive side of his work on tenor and bass clarinet! There's a bit of a hardbop groove to the album, but also a bit more freedom too – a style that never goes that far out, but which reminds us through subtle cues that most of these players have a longer legacy in more avant-oriented work. The group features Dave Burrell on piano, Wilbur Morris on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums – and Burrell especially echoes a range of influences here – almost pulling from older eras of jazz in the way that Jaki Byard used to – an approach that's often echoed by Murray in his horn. Titles include "Valley Talk", "Chazz", "As I Woke", "Abel's Blissed Out Blues", "Sharing", and "As I Woke". CD

Henry Threadgill on alto and tenor, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Pheeroan Aklaff on percussion – plus vocals from Cassandra Wilson! CD

A huge chapter of work from the Art Ensemble Of Chicago – one that not only includes their own albums for the ECM label, but also related solo and side projects too! The set begins with four Art Ensemble albums – Nice Guys, Full Force, Urban Bushman, and The Third Decade – all of which came out as a statement of the group's strengths in the late 70s and early 80s – their first mainstream appearance after a few years of being very underground, and material that helped set a whole new standard for avant jazz expression in the generation to come! Next is the fantastic album Divine Love, by trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith – not necessarily an Art Ensemble album, but one that does feature great work from trumpeter Leo Smith – plus trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, bassist Charlie Haden, and vibist Bobby Naughton. Next are four albums by Lester Bowie – two smaller group, and two with his Brass Fantasy ensemble – the records The Great Pretender, All The Magic/The One & Only, I Only Have Eyes For You, and Avant Pop. Then, after Bowie's early passing, the Art Ensemble recorded their beautiful Tribute To Lester – as a trio lineup with Roscoe Mitchell, Malachi Favors, and Don Moye. Mitchell takes the helm next – on a surprisingly big flurry of projects for ECM – records that often show a deeper compositional strand in his music – on records that include Nine To Get Ready, Composition/Improvisation, Far Side, Bells For The South Side, and Boustrophedon – the last of which was led by Evan Parker, with Mitchell in the Transatlantic Art Ensemble. Last up are three records by drummer Jack DeJohnette for ECM – New Directions and New Directions In Europe, both featuring a group with Lester Bowie on trumpet – and Made In Chicago, which features Roscoe Mitchell, Henry Threadgill, and Muhal Ricard Abrams. Recordings were made between 1978 and 2015 – and comes in a box set with a big booklet of notes! CD

Quite possibly our favorite album ever from Chico Freeman – a beautiful set that was originally issued only in Japan, and which has Chico hitting some of his strongest, most spiritual modes on record! The album features Freeman's reeds in the company of other Chicagoans – AACM players who include Henry Threadgill on saxes, Muhal Richard Abrams on piano, Douglas Ewart on flutes, and Steve McCall on percussion – plus added work from Cecil McBee on bass and Ben Montgomery on drums – both players who round out the group with a very solid rhythmic focus. There's a bold sense of direction to this record that you don't always get in other work from Chico – a sound that's almost more Strata East at points, and which serves to bring the AACM players into sharp formation, and a strongly rhythmic orientation at times. The whole thing's wonderful – very well-crafted, and filled with spirit and soul – and titles include "The In Between", "Like The Kind Of Peace It Is", "Morning Prayer", "Pepe's Samba", and "Conversations". LP, Vinyl record album

A seminal session from Roscoe Mitchell – beautiful work recorded for the small Nessa label, and a real testament to the fragile beauty of his music! Some of the tracks are solo, and others feature Roscoe in shifting groups with other AACM players – a duet with bassist Malachi Favors, another with reedman Anthony Braxton, a trio with Muhal Richard Abrams on piano and George Lewis on trombone, and a quartet with Joseph Harman, Henry Threadgill, and Wallace McMillan. The sound's about as haunting as you can get for the AACM in the 70s – sensitive sounds, complex tones, and a rich approach to creative music that goes far beyond jazz – a really stark contrast to the styles of New York or European avant players from the same period! Titles include "Off Five Dark Six", "A1 Tal 2LA", "Nonaah", "Sing", "Chant", "Ericka", and "Tahquemenon". CD

Fantastic early stuff from Muhal – and one of his most beautiful albums! Side one of the LP, and first up on the CD is an extended performance of Sinatra's big hit "Young At Heart" – but the track's played solo by Abrams, and it's completely transformed into a long contemplative work of beauty. Truly georgeous – and a piece that utilizes open spaces in a way that's nearly unequaled! "Wise In Time" is a heavier work done by quintet with Leo Smith on trumpet and fluegalhorn, Henry Threadgill on alto sax, Lester Lashley on bass, and Thurman Barker on percussion – totally brilliant work! CD

One of their early classics, and still one of the greatest groups with roots in the Chicago AACM scene! The lineup is wonderful – drums and percussion from the late Steve McCall, bass from Fred Hopkins, and alto, tenor, and flute from the always-amazing Henry Threadgill! The group do a wonderful job reworking older themes from Jelly Roll Morton and Scott Joplin – plus Threadgill's own "Paille Street" – a really amazing mix of eras and styles on one record. LP, Vinyl record album

A seminal 70s set from the legendary Air trio – and one of their wonderful non-American dates from the early years – material recorded overseas, where this famous AACM trio was maybe getting more attention than in the US! The album was originally a Japanese-only album, and it's easily one of the group's greatest of the decade – a sublime set that really has them working strongly in their AACM roots, yet also reaching for a new sound too – a beautiful balance between jazz generations, carried off perfectly by the trio of Henry Threadgill on reeds, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Steve McCall on drums! Tracks are long, and extremely inventive – and titles include "Through A Keyhole Darkly", "Air Raid", and "Midnight Sun". LP, Vinyl record album

Features Archie Shepp on tenor and Henry Threadgill on alto! CD

A brilliant reunion of some key members of the AACM in Chicago – recorded at the Chicago Jazz Festival in a stunning performance that features drummer Jack DeJohnette in the lead, plus Muhal Richard Abrams on piano, Henry Threadgill on alto and flute, and Roscoe Mitchell on a variety of reeds! Bassist Larry Gray completes the group, and also plays a bit of cello – and the music has this wonderfully freewheeling, organic quality that really takes us back to the early years of the avant scene in Chicago – that very special sense of improvisation that the players forged back in the day – with an especially sonic-sensitive ear tuned towards the musicianship. The album is neither the usual ECM mode, nor even what we'd expect from DeJohnette – and instead takes us back to the earliest utterings from Chicago on labels like Delmark or Nessa. Titles include "Chant", "Jack 5", "Leave Don't Go Away", "Ten Minutes", and "Museum Of Time". CD

Quite possibly our favorite album ever from Chico Freeman – a beautiful set that was originally issued only in Japan, and which has Chico hitting some of his strongest, most spiritual modes on record! The album features Freeman's reeds in the company of other Chicagoans – AACM players who include Henry Threadgill on saxes, Muhal Richard Abrams on piano, Douglas Ewart on flutes, and Steve McCall on percussion – plus added work from Cecil McBee on bass and Ben Montgomery on drums – both players who round out the group with a very solid rhythmic focus. There's a bold sense of direction to this record that you don't always get in other work from Chico – a sound that's almost more Strata East at points, and which serves to bring the AACM players into sharp formation, and a strongly rhythmic orientation at times. The whole thing's wonderful – very well-crafted, and filled with spirit and soul – and titles include "The In Between", "Like The Kind Of Peace It Is", "Morning Prayer", "Pepe's Samba", and "Conversations". CD also features a bonus 19 minute version of "Pepe's Samba". CD

A fantastic package from trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith – one that's billed as "symphonies" in the title, but which instead features quartet jazz performances throughout – as you've maybe guessed by the name of the group! There's maybe a more compositional structure here than on some of Smith's other recent albums, but there's also plenty of improvisation too – served up by a fantastic group that features Henry Threadgill on alto and flute, John Lindberg on bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums – with saxophonist Jonathon Haffner stepping in for Threadgill on one of the four CDs in the package! Each longer piece has a slightly different vibe – and together, the music is a stunning statement of the continuing genius of Leo Smith in recent years – a masterful statement of his importance in jazz, but also a personal message that's filled with urgent intensity. Titles include "Gold Symphony", "Diamond Symphony", "Pearl Symphony", and "Sapphire Symphony". CD

A haunting set from Cassandra Wilson – freely creative, and a good example of the way that she was one of the few singers pushing the boundaries of jazz vocal expression in the 80s! The set's never too over the top, but it does feature lots of artful touches on the instrumentation – and in the way that Wilson chooses and sings her material. There's a slight bit of a New York downtown edge to the record, although the performance is relatively straightforward overall – and players include Steve Coleman on alto, Graham Haynes on trumpet, Rod Williams on piano, and Jean-Paul Bourelly on guitar. Arrangements are by Wilson, Olu Dara, Bourelly, and Henry Threadgill – and titles include "Days Aweigh", "Subatomic Blues", "If You Only Know How", "Black & Yellow", and "Some Other Time". LP, Vinyl record album

Abrams is joined by Anthony Braxton, Leonard Jones, Steve McCall, and Henry Threadgill. The songs are all attributed to Abrams, though they seem to be strongly influenced by the presence of Braxton with song titles like "OQA" and "RITOB". Other song titles include "Charlie In The Parker", "Balladi", and "Arhyth Songy". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the best albums ever by this legendary Chicago trio – a great example of the way that records on the Nessa label can really get to the heart of artists' intentions! The trio of Henry Threadgill on reeds, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Steve McCall on percussion have never sounded better – and have this intimate, soulful interplay that's sometimes missing from other efforts – that special kind of energy that makes the AACM so great when it's really clicking this well – as deeply spiritual as it is freely expressive! Threadgill plays alto, tenor, bass flute, and the compelling hubkaphone – and titles include "I'll Be Right Here Waiting", "No 2", "GvE", "Subtraction", and "Keep Right On Playing Thru The Mirror Over The Water". CD