A record that's a really nice change from the usual, especially for Peter Brotzmann – maybe more in the special sort of spirit that Misha Mengelberg can bring to some of his performances – especially when he's on the more sensitive side of the spectrum! That's definitely the case here, as the players have a way of moving carefully, sometimes tunefully – while still improvising freely, and creating the kinds of sounds that only they can unlock from their instruments – Brotzmann on alto, tenor, bass clarinet, and e-flat clarinet – plus Misha Mengelberg on piano, and Han Bennink on drums and a range of other instruments. Mengelberg vocalizes a bit while playing piano – which we always enjoy – and titles include "There & Zuruck", "Met We Beleefde Groete Van De Kamel", and "3 Points & A Mountain". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most ambitious albums ever from the Globe Unity Orchestra – a set that not only features work from some of the key free jazz musicians you'd usually find on their records, but also the choir of the NDR Orchestra – who make all these amazing vocalizations next to the equally amazing sounds from the musicians! As with other outings, the group is led by pianist Alexander Von Schlippenbach – who's clearly outdone himself here, and who must have been completely worn out by the end of the performance – as he does a masterful effort directing the vocalists alongside a top-shelf lineup that includes Manfred Schoof and Kenny Wheeler on trumpets, Cunter Christmann and Paul Rutherford on trombones, Peter Brotzmann and Evan Parker on reeds, and Han Bennink and Paul Lovens on drums. The album features two extremely long tracks entitled "Hamburg 74" and "Kontraste Und Synthesen". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic showcase for the reed work of Michel Pilz – playing bass clarinet here in a killer FMP trio with Peter Kowald on bass and Paul Lovens on drums! Pilz handles the instrument at a level that's unlike anyone else we can think of – especially in the historical run up to the recording of the album in 1976 – as he blows with these searing tones, often noisy and almost metallic – but with an ear for tone that's as strong as his capacity for sonic freeplay! The drums of Lovens are wonderful in the setting – and remind us a bit of his own work with electronics when things get noisy – and Kowald, as always, is a masterful member of the improvising trio – tremendously sensitive throughout. Titles include "Zythum", "Willige Billie", "Carpathes", "Inno Chica Chow", "Un Peu D'Ali", and "Krebsauel". LP, Vinyl record album

Titles include "Cienfuegos", "Tratame Como Soy", "No Hay Tierra", "Dolor Y Perdon", "El Agarro", "Compay Jose", "Francisco Guayabal", and "Elige Tu Que Canto Yo". LP, Vinyl record album

Ouch! The title almost makes us want to pass this one up – and we certainly wish that Luaka Bop would soft-pedal their politics a bit more, because the music is more than enough to make the compilations sell. The set focuses on Cuban dance music of the 60s and 70s – and provides some valuable recordings that haven't been easily available in the states, all packaged with the usual care and attention to detail in the liner notes. Titles include "Papa Ogun" by Celeste Mendoza, "Eso No Es Na" by Maria Teresa Vera, "Caminito De Zaza" by El Jilguero De Cienfuegos, "Yayabo" by Orquesta Riverside, "Manzanillo" by Orquesa Original de Manzanillo, and "Fifi, Tete, Y Popo" by Orquesta Reve. CD