This collection offers a rich exploration of contemporary jazz and improvised music, traversing a landscape of diverse textures and international influences. From cerebral, atmospheric openings and avant-garde energy to vibrant rhythmic inflections, the selection balances intricate composition with spontaneous dialogue. Whether revisiting classic themes through a modern lens or delving into expansive collective improvisations, these tracks highlight the exceptional craft and emotive power found across the modern independent landscape.

PLAYLIST

The build up of exciting new music is relentless now we are in February. I’m featuring all of the new EP from the wonderful Neon Kittens. In addition a cross-section of exciting new music from a wide variety of genres plus further tracks from currently featured albums.

PLAYLIST

A show in two parts. The first part examines some of the exciting new releases that have just been released or are due soon. The second part is a tribute to the legendary guitarist Ralph Towner.

PLAYLIST

Nicholas  Mycio “Siny” from Please Plant Flowers (Self Released) 00:00 

Shai Maestro “The Time Bender” from The Guesthouse (Naive) 05:50 

James Fernando “Potions” from Philly 3 (Spring Garden Records) 11:50 

John Fumasoli &The Jones Factor “Not Sure” from Not Sure (Jonsfac Records) 19:59

The Matthieu Mazué Trio feat. Diego Hedez and Francisco Mela “Mascarade” from Turn Of Events (577 Records) 28:15 

Matt Greenwood “Alveston Avenue” from Daybreak (Self Released) 35:34 

Charlie Apicella & Iron City “Big Boss” from LIVE in NYC (Zoho Roots) 41:30 

Joel Ross  “Protoevangelium (The First Gospel)” from Gospel Music (Blue Note) 49:02 

Niklas Lukassen - Estuary (feat. Ben van Gelder, Kit Downes & Francesco Ciniglio) “Estuary” from Still Waters (Heartcore Records) 57:03 

Paul McCandless Quintet “Hard Eights” from Live At Kimball’s East 1992 (Moosicus) 1:02:28 

Ralph Towner “Balance Beam” from Solstice : Sound And Shadows (ECM Records) 1:15:06

Ralph Towner “Flow” from At First Light (ECM Records) 1:25:33 

Ralph Towner, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Slava Grigoryan “The Henrysons” from Travel Guide (ECM Records) 1:30:22 

Ralph Towner, Paolo Fresu “Zephyr” from Chairoscuro (ECM Records) 1:37:04 

Ralph Towner “Oceanus” from Solstice (ECM Records) 1:44:13

Ralph Towner “Ralph’s Piano Waltz” from Solo Concert (ECM Records) 1:55:14

This playlist is a descent into a shadowy, atmospheric landscape where raw energy meets experimental depth. Moving seamlessly between gritty garage rhythms, haunting post-punk echoes, and heavy, immersive soundscapes, the selection favors the unconventional and the evocative. From distorted industrial pulses to moments of ethereal folk and avant-garde exploration, it’s a collection designed for late nights and deep listening, offering a textured journey through the darker fringes of the undergroud.

PLAYLIST

The Darts - Midnight Creep 

Shrube - Wind Up 

Joint Pains - Lurleen 

Occult Character - Her Name Is Terrible 

Dubmatix - Black Dub 

Isabel Pine - Wolves/A Flickering Light 

Billy Brandt - Carnival Souls 

Awolk - Wild Rose 

sunn O))) - Glory Black 

dälek - Better Than 

Kannon - Windigo 

Arthur King - Black Cloud 

Ben Seretan & John Thayer - Watermelon Well 

Roboquarians - Falsetto Bravado 

The Go-Betweens - Magic In Here (Larry Crane Rough Mix) 

Half Man Half Biscuit - Rawlplugs of Yesteryear (Breaking the States) 

Moff Skellington - hister bott/grool togg betsa nistron/Nurse found a hole in a red potato 

Clare Moore - Lost In Space 

Inca Babies - Damnation 

Mark Snarski - Peggy Finds The Spotlight 

The Parasite - Bitter Tears 

2 Lost Souls - Labour Under Illusions/Like To Talk/The Morning After The Night Before 

LXRP - Sapper 

The States - You Can’t Take It With You 

On this edition there is music that traverses the vast landscape of contemporary jazz, avant-garde exploration, and orchestral fusion. In this session, we navigate a diverse range of creative visions—from the intimate flickers of "Blowing on Embers" to the massive, symphonic scale of a tribute to Bill Evans. Along the way, we’ll explore cinematic suites that capture frozen moments in time, vibrant global rhythms from Lisbon to Singapore, and lush vocal collaborations that honour the legends of the genre. Whether it is the restless energy of modern improvisation or the sweeping grandeur of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, these selections represent the cutting edge of the international scene.

PLAYLIST

Bellbird “Blowing On Embers” from The Call (Constellation) 00:00

Ben Rosenblum The Nebula Project “Scenes Frozen In Time : Onslaught” from The Longest Way Round (One Trick Dog Records) 06:46

Eli Howell “I Remember Al” from Steps Taken (D Clef Records) 14:10

Joel Miller “Joé Chevere” from What If? (Leaf Music) 21:33

Não confundir com “Não cumpriu o propósito de um final” from Cumprir qualquer propósito (Robalo Music) 27:30

Heisenberg Uncertainty Players “Hold On” from Return To The Enchanted Forest (Hostile Postulate Publishing) 38:41

Dave Holland, Norma Winstone, London Vocal Project “Inner Traces” from Vital Spark (Music of Kenny Wheeler) (Edition Records) 47:04

Kannon “Nakba” from …in a sea of fire (Nightjar) 55:24

Tom Oren “Dawn of Adventure” from Dark Lights (Anzic Records) 1:01:15

Pete Calandra and Straight Up “Open Window” from Open Window (PCM) 1:10:36

Simon Mogul “Disturbed” from Simon Says (Self Released) 1:16:21

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Clausen Trio, and Jean Thorel “Symbiosis Parts 1 & 2” from Symbiosis – Tribute to Bill Evans (Pentatone) 1:22:52

This collection serves as a deep dive into the fringes of contemporary sound, where jagged post-punk energy meets the fluid complexity of experimental jazz. It is an intentional journey through diverse sonic landscapes—blending raw, lo-fi storytelling with cinematic, dub-infused atmospheres and expansive instrumental odysseys. Each track contributes to a restless, creative narrative that celebrates the unconventional and honours the spirit of musical exploration.

PLAYLIST

Zu - Fuoco Saturnio 

Tropical Fuck Storm - Irukandji Syndrome (Live) 

Reine des Lézards - Lady Coca Cola 

The Bordellos - Who Do You Think You Are? Paul McCartney 

The Jack Rubies - Boat Rocker 

The Corner Laughers - Rainbow Cardigan 

Eddy Current Suppression Ring - On Islands 

The Creedless Preacher - Bad Decision 

Kye Alfred Hillig - Ezekial Bobbing For Apples 

Aurelia Anne Cohen - Fairweather 

Chris Emmert - Long Goodbye 

Dutchman - Papa Fronc 

Third Angle New Music - Phillip Glass : Return To The Hive 

The Go Betweens - Surfing Magazine (Airlock Demo) 

Ember Rev  - Homecoming Rhapsody 

Moff Skellington - pockle 

Inca Babies - The Diseased Stranger’s Waltz 

Mark Snarski - If I’m Magic, You’re The Trick 

The Dream Syndicate - Merrittville 

The Parasite - Armageddon Dub 

2 Lost Souls - Who Is Being Protected? 

Henry Threadgill - Better Wrapped/Better Unrapped 

Miles Davis - Spanish Key 

Modar - Sorrow Of Holy Garden 

The breadth of content in the jazz world is captured in this selection of mostly new releases. From traditional post-bop workouts, through interpretations of popular songs, to full on invention and improvisation, this playlist demonstrates the variety of music which might be generally described as jazz but in reality covers a more complex set of variables. There is a focus on the January releases of the excellent Relative Pitch Records.

PLAYLIST

Julian Lage “Night Shade” from Scenes From Above (Blue Note) 00:00

Alexa Tarentino “The Roar And The Whisper” from The Roar And The Whisper (Blue Engine) 07:13 

Steve Berndt “Triplets A Go Go” from Heart of Hearts (Self Released) 13:22

Karim Saber “Sister Song” from Sundance (Self Released) 18:55 

Roberto Magris, Dennis Razz Quartet “Lanquidity” from In Action (JMood) 23:56 

Brodie McAllister’s Wattle “Introduction” from Jazz in Meanjin 021 - Live at KEPK (4000 Records) 30:50

Ivo Perelman and Wadada Leo Smith “Seven” from Duologues 5 (Ibeji) 41:19 

Doug MacDonald “The Night Has A Thousand Eyes” from Live in Beverly Hills (Dmac Music) 48:55

Aubrey Johnson “Hope” from The Lively Air (Greenleaf) 56:51 

Connor Bernhard “Dat Dere” from Pathways (Self Released) 1:02:07

Monika Herzig “Sacred Earth” from Transparent (Key of B Records) 1:07:22 

Angelika Niescier with Jason Adasiewicz, Nicole Mitchell, Mike Reed, Dave Rempis and Luke Stewart “Rejoice, Disrupt, Resist” from Chicago Tapes (Intakt Records) 1:14:15  

Marty Ehrlich, Julius Hemphill “Tribute” from Circle The Heart (Relative Pitch Records) 1:22:28 

John Butcher “Fragile Thread” from Away, I Was (Relative Pitch Records) 1:34:40 

Nicolas Collins, Birgit Uhler “Plinth” from Spark Gap (Relative Pitch Records) 1:41:11 

Isidora Edwards, Biliana Voutchkova, Zosha Warpeha “The Weather of Then” from A Far Within (Relative Pitch Records) 1:47:41

Yelena Eckemoff “ABBA Museum” from Rosendals Garden (L & H Production) 1:56:11 

Tom Skinner “Auster” from Kaliedoscopic Visions (Brownswood Recordings) 2:05:24 

Mopping up a few of last years favourites and highlighting some of the early trickle of new music for 2026. The latter end of the show highlights some classic tracks from the archive.

PLAYLIST

Burner Phone - Sexy 70s Witch 

Buddhadatta - Nine of Buddha Aspect No.2 

Horseman - View 

The Jack Rubies - Be Good Or Be Gone 

Dubmatix - Liberation ft Longfingah (Mad Mix) 

The Parasite - Britney 

Dave Graney ‘n’ The Coral Snakes - You Wanna Be Loved (Live) 

Mark Snarski - Fortified 

Half Man Half Biscuit - Goodbye Sam, Hello Samaritans 

Ember Rev  - Refugees 

Moff Skellington - unsloog yar gravis 

The Dream Syndicate - John Coltrane Stereo Blues 

2 Lost Souls - Who Is Being Protected 

The Go-Betweens - Magic In Here (Airlock Demo) 

Patti Cudd - The Meeting Place 

Bugg Music - The Thinker 

Occult Character - Down At The Boomerjacks/Silver Fork Stories/Inadequate/Arthur/Your Intentions 

Cabaret Voltaire - Eddies Out 

Chicago Underground Duo - Blue Sparks from Her, and the Scent of Lightning 

Sonic Youth - Tunic (Song For Karen) 

Inca Babies - Superior Spectre 

Van Der Graaf Generator - Refugees 

The Triffids - A Trick Of The Light 

The Stooges - No Fun 

In this edition we have a selection of recent jazz and improvised music releases. The playlist moves through chamber‑oriented writing, rhythm‑centred ensemble pieces, contemporary treatments of standards, guitar‑driven abstraction, brass‑focused small‑group work, groove‑based compositions, textural duos, high‑energy electric material, bass‑led writing, reflective ballad forms and early‑1970s reissue material.

PLAYLIST

Federica Colangelo Acquaphonica “Margherita Hack” from Forward (Folderol Records) 00:00 

Quinsin Nachoff  “Patterns from Nature I. Branches” from Patterns from Nature (Whirlwind Records) 07:57  

Juan Pablo Arredondo, Maximiliano Kirszner, Nicolás Politzer “How Deep Is The Ocean” from Las estrellas cayeron (Self Released) 19:10 

Glenn Makos & BRū “Sunflower Morning” from Arrowsic (Stop Time Records) 26:43 

Peter Paulsen TurksHeadKnot Quintet “Fine-Feathered” from Would’a. Could’a, Should’a (SquarePegWorks) 35:20 

Tim Larkin “Gumshoes” from Setting Standards (Tomato Bay) 46:00

David Torn & Tim Berne “door is open (excerpt)” from door is open (Self Released) 50:12

Brandon Seabrook “I’m a Nightmare and You Know It” from Hellbent Daydream (Pyroclastic Records) 59:55 

Shawn Lovato “Parachute Bloom” from Biotic (Endectomorph Music) 1:08:11  

Martin Wind “Standing At The Window Waving Goodbye” from Stars (Newvelle Records) 1:15:06 

Joe Chambers “Mind Rain/Hello To The Wind” from Double Exposure (Time Traveler Recordings) 1:20:06 

Woody Shaw “Love Dance/Obsequious” from Love Dance (Time Traveler Recordings) 1:37:17 

These shows are put together around 2 to 3 weeks before they get released. So at the time of writing it’s that time of year when not a lot of new music comes in - a festive fortnight of reflection and review on what went before and anticipating what is to come. So we have a selection of current favourites, a few new things, and some memorable music extracted from the archive.

PLAYLIST

Wench! X Jodie Langford - You’ve Got Male 

Half Man Half Biscuit - Horror Clowns Are Dickheads 

Ember Rev - That Night A Forest Grew Parts 1 & 2 

Inca Babies - Devil In My Room 

Mark Snarski - The Unholiness of Nothingness 

Keltrix - Sharon 

The Go-Betweens - When She Sang About Angels (Airlock Demo) 

Dave Graney ‘n’ The Coral Snakes - What Kind Of Fool Are You 

The Apartments - You Know We’re Not Supposed to Feel This Way 

Jodie Langford - The Biz 

2 Lost Souls - The Right To Die By A Gun 

Moff Skellington - lembryon graphite 

Scherbentanz - Halbez Herz (Chris Rotten Edition) 

V/Haze Miasma - Shadows 

The Jack Rubies - This Is Not A Joke 

David/David - dve 

Snowglobe - Nothing I Can Do 

HIM - Transition Desert Wave 

The Golden Gaytimes - They Don’t Make Em Like Me Anymore 

Kin - Chemistry Set 

La Dusseldorf - Menschen 1 

Lindisfarne - Together Forever 

Moon Duo - Motorcycle I Love You 

Nils Petter Molvaer - Tløn