AMN Reviews: Chafouin Orchestra – Chafouin Orchestra (2026; Baboon Fish Label) This release is hard to pin down. It resembles a cross between Terry Riley and Zeuhl, though it ultimately leans more heavily toward the former. The lineup includes violin, saxophone, flute, percussion, and three…

AMN Reviews: Rhùn – Evil Erbez (2026; Baboon Fish Label) There are dozens of musicians and groups that are spiritual descendants of Magma, playing their own take on Zeuhl music. These include those that spun off from Magma, including Weidorje and Offering, second or third generation Zeuhl…

Ambientblog Reviews A roundup of reviews and mixes published at Ambientblog over the last two weeks. Corrado Maria De Santis – Treshold Of Light (Lost Tribe Sound, 2026) Variant – When The Universe Sleeps (Quiet Details, 2026) DreamScenes – June 2026: Et Sic In Infinitum (2026)

Summer Bummer Festival 2026 Summer Bummer returns to Trix in Antwerp on August 28 and 29 for two days of improvised and experimental music. Friday, August 28 — Doors at 3:00 p.m.; music at 4:00 p.m. Integral: Julien Desprez / Claire Gapenne / Christine Abdelnour / Lukas KoenigDaughterDaughter:…

Rabble Without A Cause Show – June 24, 2026 Source: CKCU. James Blood Ulmer (1940-2026), celebrating his years playing free jazz

Chain D.L.K. Reviews A roundup of recent reviews published at Chain D.L.K. Flin van Hemmen – Could Also Be the Nachtzwaluw (self-released, 2026) — reviewed by Vito Camarretta Diogo Alvim – Música Para Mysterious Heart (Crónica, 2026) — reviewed by Vito Camarretta Jonas Cambien – Man Eating Tree…

New Releases from Dinzu Artefacts Dinzu Artefacts has released a five-album cassette batch centered on unconventional approaches to acoustic instruments, electronics, improvisation, and sound art. The label has also issued A Fine Chance for Permanence, which brings all five participating artists…

Paul Haslinger and Christian Wittman Launch noion Label Composers Paul Haslinger, formerly of Tangerine Dream, and Christian Wittman of Lightwave have launched noion, a label focused on ambient, minimalism, drone, contemporary classical music, and sound art. The label’s first two releases,…

Newsbits: Julia Holter, Can, and Janet Beat Julia Holter will release Materia on August 21 through Domino. The seven-track album is presented as a companion to her 2024 release, Something in the Room She Moves, and combines new pieces recorded with her band, reworkings of earlier material, and “My…

Ars Nova Workshop Performances Through the End of July Ars Nova Workshop has announced a series of creative jazz and experimental music performances at Philadelphia’s Solar Myth through the end of July. On June 24, gayageum player DoYeon Kim leads a quartet with flutist Laura Cocks, bassist Henry…

The Free Jazz Collective Reviews A roundup of reviews and features published at The Free Jazz Collective over the last several days. Paula Rae Gibson and Alex Bonney - In Another World We Will Live For Ever (33Xtreme Records/33 Jazz Records, 2026), reviewed by Sammy Stein. Columbia Icefield - A…

Two June Releases from Edgetone Records Edgetone Records will issue two albums on June 23, covering different areas of the label’s adventurous jazz catalog. Running From Bears – Hell Gnaw Running From Bears is a Phoenix sextet featuring Eric Rasmussen on alto saxophone, Adam Roberts and Keith…

AMN Reviews: Michael Gordon – Field of Vision (2026; Cantaloupe) Some pieces are just flat-out big--Michael Gordon's 2001 epic Decasia comes to mind. The composer's latest release, Field of Vision, is substantial in another dimension, deploying 36 percussionists across a vast, outdoor space. I…

Soundwaves Announces Summer Concerts in Los Angeles The Soundwaves new music series has announced three summer concerts at the Westside Music Conservatory in Los Angeles. On July 21, Local Occurrence—Henryk Golden, Corey Fogel, Myra Hinrichs, and Michael Matsuno—will perform original works and…

DOWNTOWNMUSIC.NET Photos Source: DOWNTOWNMUSIC.NET. June 19, 2026The Plows, Freddy's Bar and BackroomKris Gruda James Paul Nadien Evan Palmer June 17, 2026Kaelen Ghandhi & TJ Borden, Freddy's Bar and BackroomT.J. Borden Kaelen Ghandhi June 17, 2026Chris LiButti & James Paul Nadien, Freddy's Bar…

Another Place Show, June 22, 2026 Source: 90.9fm WDCB. Chicago journalist and jazz aficionado Andy Pierce hosts "Another Place" Sundays at midnight. The show explores creative music, jazz and the avant-garde, and delves into the longer, more complex compositions and improvisations in jazz.

Musique Machine Reviews A roundup of reviews published at Musique Machine over the last week. Ed Cooper – Vestibule (Thanatosis, 2026) — reviewed by Josh Landry Klaus Lang/Apartment House – Geschrieben In Wasser (Another Timbre, 2026) — reviewed by Roger Batty Jürg Frey/Apartment House – Clarinet…

New and Forthcoming from Cuneiform Records Cuneiform Records has several new and forthcoming releases spanning experimental rock, composed jazz, and archival fusion. Chicago’s CHEER-ACCIDENT released You Smile – The Song Is Over on May 29. The band’s 27th album combines intricate art rock,…

AMN Reviews: Pat Thomas, Olie Brice and Gary Willcox – The day after (2026; Jazz In Britain) You might think that after a century of the jazz piano trio, the format would be largely exhausted. Maybe I'm just projecting, after a few decades of sitting through too many swingin' standards.…

AMN Picks of the Week – Igorrr / Webster-Pandi-Cargill / AD Ozium / Aliya Ultan / Purgate Here is where I post, at a frequency of about once a week, a list of the new music that caught my attention. All of the releases listed below I have heard for the first time recently and come recommended.…

Where to Start with Alice Coltrane Source: The Guardian. The first thing to understand about composer and musician Alice Coltrane’s catalogue is that there are no duds. Jump in anywhere and you’ll find variations on the signature sound that developed from her beginnings in bebop jazz, through the…

Fringes of Sound Reviews A roundup of reviews published at Fringes of Sound over the last week. Psychiceyeclix – Be Deleted — reviewed by Fringes of Sound of June 18, 2026 Somnia Vera – Fear of Wishing — reviewed by Fringes of Sound of June 17, 2026 Jashiin – Music With Missing Parts — reviewed by…

All About Jazz Reviews A roundup of reviews published at All About Jazz over the last week. Klang – Teiku (Ginkgo Records) — reviewed by Glenn Astarita, June 21, 2026 Satoko Fujii – Satoko Fujii’s Bunker Ulmenwall Orchestra (Libra Records) — reviewed by Dan McClenaghan, June 20, 2026 Amalie Dahl’s…

New Releases from Sei Miguel, Tom Challenger & Evan Parker, Michaela Turcerová, and Bryan Murray Clean Feed Records has announced VIVA! O Carro de Fogo de Sei Miguel, the first posthumous album by Portuguese trumpeter, arranger, and bandleader Sei Miguel, who died in November 2025. The double-CD…

Something Else! Reviews A roundup of adventurous jazz and creative music reviews published at Something Else! Reviews this month. Claudio Scolari Project – Lines Of Now (2026) — reviewed by S. Victor Aaron, June 4, 2026 Tyshawn Sorey – Members… Don’t! (PI Recordings, 2026) — reviewed by S. Victor…

Coming to Los Angeles Friday, June 26 PARTCH Ensemble: Bewitching Petals — REDCAT, Downtown Los Angeles, 8:00 pm. PARTCH Ensemble presents a world-premiere program centered on the music and instruments of Harry Partch, including newly constructed replicas of Partch instruments and new works by…

Upcoming Creative Music Guild Shows in Portland Creative Music Guild has announced upcoming performances in Portland, Oregon, including visiting-artist events and Outset Series concerts focused on improvisation, creative jazz, and related experimental work. Guest Residency with Adam Schatz (NYC)…

JazzTrail Reviews A roundup of reviews published at JazzTrail over the last two weeks. Christian Dillingham – As It Relates To Now (Shifting Paradigm Records, 2026) — reviewed by Filipe Freitas, June 18, 2026 Chris Van Voorst Van Beest Trio – Bye Design (Adhyaropa Records, 2026) — reviewed by…

A Closer Listen Reviews A roundup of reviews published at A Closer Listen over the last week. Manja Ristić – Devet / Manja Ristić & Mark Vernon – Volim Beograd (Flung / Kamizdat, 2026) — reviewed by Richard Allen June 19, 2026 Snorri Hallgrímsson – Nowhere Sessions (Deutsche Grammophon, 2026) —…

AMN Reviews: U Totem – Set (1990/2026; Bandcamp) There had been rumors for years that James Grigsby was in possession of a number of live recordings of the legendary LA-based U Totem. A supergroup of sorts that resulted from the emerging of two other bands - 5uus and Motor Totemist Guild, led…

AMN Reviews: Purgate – Leavings (2026; Aesthetical) Purgate's latest release, Leavings, has a simple yet effective formula. Take a short abstract motif, and let it loop for a few minutes. These motifs, however, are synthesized from melodic fragments, static, distortion, and other unusual features.…

Coming to Chicago Listings compiled from Now Is, Elastic Arts, Constellation, The Hungry Brain, Frequency Festival, and University of Chicago event listings. Saturday, June 20 Dimensions & Extensions — Dave Rempis, Beth McDonald, Amos Egleston, Mabel Kwan, Peter Maunu, Jason Roebke, Thomas Helton,…

Coming to Downtown Music Gallery  Source: Downtown Music Gallery. Sunday, June 21, 6:00 PM: DMG hosts a Gemini Birthdays Celebration, with Bruce Lee Gallanter serving as MC and spinning music in honor of Gemini figures including Anthony Braxton, Sun Ra, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Prince, Paul…

Jazzword Reviews A roundup of reviews published at Jazzword since last time. Kris Davis and the Lutosławski Quartet – The Solastalgia Suite (Pyroclastic Records PR 44) Satoko Fujii GEN – Altitude 100 Meters (Libra 206-077) Angles & Elle-Kari with Strings – The Death of Kalypso (Thanatosis…

Grossman Ensemble Announces 2026/27 Concert Series The Grossman Ensemble will present four concerts of newly commissioned music during the 2026/27 season at the Logan Center for the Arts Performance Hall in Chicago. The series continues the ensemble’s model of bringing composers and performers…

AMN Reviews: The Selva – Mistérios Negros (2026; OSSO) The Selva is Ricardo Jacinto on cello, Gonçalo Almeida on double bass, and Pedro Oliveira on percussion. All three contribute electronics. Mistérios Negros is the group's fifth album, and first with Oliveira. It is an unusual recording, in…

Coming to San Francisco Selected from Bay Improviser, The Lab, Audium, SFJAZZ, Center for New Music, San Francisco Classical Voice, Chamber Music SF, Other Music Academy, The St. Ro, Berkeleyside, Other Minds, and supplemental web searches. Friday, June 19 Karl Evangelista Plays Sonny Sharrock’s…

Newsbits: KÁRYYN / Ekmeles / Sun Ra Arkestra KÁRYYN’s second album, PHYSICS UNIVERSAL LOVE LANGUAGE (PULL), is out now on Mute. Released May 29, the record follows her work in experimental electronic song and draws on voice, strings, modular synthesis, and Armenian and Middle Eastern melodic…

Chris Alford / Rahul Nair / The Hyde and Zook Ensemble at Rhizome DC Rhizome DC will present an evening of improvised and creative music featuring Chris Alford, Rahul Nair, and The Hyde and Zook Ensemble on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Doors open at 7:00 PM, with music at 7:30 PM, and admission is…

Dusted Reviews The latest album reviews from Dusted Magazine. June 18, 2026 — Pauline Oliveros/Miya Masaoka/Issui Minegishi, "Two Days in Dreamland" (Important) reviewed by Marc Medwin. June 18, 2026 — Jolanda Moletta, "Oceanine" (Beacon Sound) reviewed by Jennifer Kelly. June 17, 2026 — Jon…

SoundQuest Festival Brings Ambient, Metal, Trance, and Ritual Sound to Tucson SoundQuest Festival will take place August 28-30, 2026, at La Rosa in Tucson, Arizona. The three-day event brings together several overlapping but distinct scenes: ambient electronic music, death metal, doom metal,…

5:4 Reviews 5:4 has recently published several items of interest to listeners of contemporary composition, electroacoustic music, and experimental sound. In World New Music Days 2026, Romania (Part 1), Simon Cummings begins his coverage of this year’s ISCM World New Music Days in Bucharest, held…

Chain D.L.K. Reviews A roundup of recent reviews published at Chain D.L.K. A roundup of reviews published at Chain D.L.K. over the last week. Yann Novak – Meadowsweet (redux) (Dragon's Eye Recordings, 2026) — reviewed by Vito Camarretta Nathan Moore / Eddie Prévost / Ray Russell – Stacked…

Masters of Sonic Liberation Series Returns June 25 in Holyoke Masters of Sonic Liberation Series #31 will take place on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Holyoke Media in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Now in its third year, the monthly series continues to present exploratory improvised music in Western…

Rabble Without A Cause Show – June 17, 2026 Source: CKCU. Sonny Rollins

Nik Bartsch Interview Source: Joel Harrison. Nik is doing something that nobody else is doing in the same way (the closest analogue is Adam Rudolph or in a very different way Terry Riley): I'm going to try to define this in a few words, but any real understanding will come from watching the…

Coming to Seattle Source: Wayward Music Series, a monthly series of adventurous and experimental music presented by Nonsequitur at the Chapel Performance Space in Seattle's Good Shepherd Center. June 18, 2026 | 8:00 PM — Christopher Burns + househusbands + Aaron Michael Butler — An evening…

The Free Jazz Collective Reviews A roundup of reviews and features published at The Free Jazz Collective over the last several days. 18th Jazzdor Strasbourg-Berlin Festival (June 2026), feature by Paul Acquaro. Achim Kaufmann, Yorgos Dimitriadis, Michael Thieke – Hiss and Whirr (Wide Ear Records,…

Morton Feldman Brought the Avant-Garde to the Classical Tradition  Source: Bandcamp Daily. Morton Feldman had an obstreperous personality, wore Coke-bottle glasses, smoked and drank—and was one of the most important composers of the 20th century. While he began in the company of the avant-garde,…

Phil Kline to Premiere Force of Nature (June) at PS21 Composer Phil Kline will premiere Force of Nature (June) at PS21: Center for Contemporary Performance in Chatham, NY, on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 5:23 AM. Commissioned by PS21, the 33-minute participatory sound sculpture is a summer-solstice…