Thurston Moore's journey into the world of free jazz, a genre often maligned as "noise" or "nonsense," began in the 1980s with his friend Byron Coley introducing him to a selection of jazz tapes. The experience sparked a lifelong fascination with this challenging and avant-garde style of music, characterized by its rejection of standard rhythms and phrasings.
For those unfamiliar with free jazz, Moore's enthusiasm is infectious. He describes it as "a soul music, both political and spiritual" that offers a freedom to experiment with open form, much like noise and art rock. The genre has been shaped by pioneers such as John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Sun Ra, who pushed the boundaries of traditional jazz.
To introduce free jazz to a broader audience, Moore has released a book titled Now Jazz Now: 100 Essential Free Jazz and Improvisation Recordings 1960-80, co-authored with Coley and Swedish saxophonist Mats Gustafsson. The book features beautifully written descriptions and recommendations for albums that showcase the diversity and complexity of free jazz.
One of the challenges in exploring free jazz is its often-difficult reception from critics and listeners alike. Free jazz has been described as "bullshit" by some, but Moore and others argue that it offers a unique opportunity for creative expression and experimentation.
Moore's own approach to free jazz is shaped by his experiences with Sonic Youth and the avant-garde music scene of the 1980s. He recommends albums such as Machine Gun by Peter Brötzmann Octet and Afrodisiaca by John Tchicai and Cadentia Nova Danica, which showcase the genre's ability to evoke powerful emotions and create complex, nuanced soundscapes.
In contrast to these albums, Cecil Taylor's Silent Tongues is a more challenging listen, with its intricate piano passages and technical virtuosity. While it may not be suitable as ambient music, its complexity offers a fascinating insight into the artistic techniques used by free jazz musicians.
Overall, Now Jazz Now: 100 Essential Free Jazz and Improvisation Recordings 1960-80 is an essential guide for anyone looking to explore this often-overlooked genre of music. With its enthusiastic writing style and expert recommendations, it promises to inspire a new generation of listeners to delve into the world of free jazz and discover its unique beauty and complexity.
The book's publication coincides with the release of Free Jazz and Improvisation on LP and CD 1965-2024 by Smalltown Supersound. For those already familiar with the genre, these releases offer a welcome opportunity to revisit some of the most iconic albums in free jazz history.
Ultimately, free jazz is a music that rewards dedication and exploration. With its rich history, diverse styles, and unparalleled creative freedom, it offers a unique listening experience that can challenge and reward even the most seasoned listeners.
For those unfamiliar with free jazz, Moore's enthusiasm is infectious. He describes it as "a soul music, both political and spiritual" that offers a freedom to experiment with open form, much like noise and art rock. The genre has been shaped by pioneers such as John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Sun Ra, who pushed the boundaries of traditional jazz.
To introduce free jazz to a broader audience, Moore has released a book titled Now Jazz Now: 100 Essential Free Jazz and Improvisation Recordings 1960-80, co-authored with Coley and Swedish saxophonist Mats Gustafsson. The book features beautifully written descriptions and recommendations for albums that showcase the diversity and complexity of free jazz.
One of the challenges in exploring free jazz is its often-difficult reception from critics and listeners alike. Free jazz has been described as "bullshit" by some, but Moore and others argue that it offers a unique opportunity for creative expression and experimentation.
Moore's own approach to free jazz is shaped by his experiences with Sonic Youth and the avant-garde music scene of the 1980s. He recommends albums such as Machine Gun by Peter Brötzmann Octet and Afrodisiaca by John Tchicai and Cadentia Nova Danica, which showcase the genre's ability to evoke powerful emotions and create complex, nuanced soundscapes.
In contrast to these albums, Cecil Taylor's Silent Tongues is a more challenging listen, with its intricate piano passages and technical virtuosity. While it may not be suitable as ambient music, its complexity offers a fascinating insight into the artistic techniques used by free jazz musicians.
Overall, Now Jazz Now: 100 Essential Free Jazz and Improvisation Recordings 1960-80 is an essential guide for anyone looking to explore this often-overlooked genre of music. With its enthusiastic writing style and expert recommendations, it promises to inspire a new generation of listeners to delve into the world of free jazz and discover its unique beauty and complexity.
The book's publication coincides with the release of Free Jazz and Improvisation on LP and CD 1965-2024 by Smalltown Supersound. For those already familiar with the genre, these releases offer a welcome opportunity to revisit some of the most iconic albums in free jazz history.
Ultimately, free jazz is a music that rewards dedication and exploration. With its rich history, diverse styles, and unparalleled creative freedom, it offers a unique listening experience that can challenge and reward even the most seasoned listeners.
I mean, seriously though, it's like the musical equivalent of a wild child - unpredictable, intense, and might just blow your mind (in a "what was that?" kind of way). Thurston Moore is totally on board with this vibe, and his new book is like a crash course in all things free jazz. Can't blame him for wanting to share this fascinating world with the masses - after all, who doesn't love a good experiment? 
I'm actually kinda curious about digging into some of these albums now... any recommendations from fellow music lovers out there? 
and I'm like totally stoked! I mean, who wouldn't want to explore a genre that's all about pushing boundaries and experimenting with sound? It's like, the ultimate form of self-expression, you know?
. I love how it challenges traditional notions of rhythm and melody, and instead creates this whole new language that's all about feeling and emotion.
. The way he weaves these intricate piano passages together is like nothing I've ever heard before. It's like you're transported to another world or something.
. If you haven't checked out this genre yet, I highly recommend giving it a listen – it'll blow your mind!
. seriously though, i think thurston moore's enthusiasm for the genre is infectious... he makes me wanna dig into my vinyl collection and explore some of these albums. the way he describes free jazz as a "soul music" that offers freedom to experiment is really compelling 
. and yeah, it can be intimidating with all the technical virtuosity on some tracks... but at the same time, there's something beautiful about the complexity and nuance of this kind of music 
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It's all about pushin' boundaries and explorin' new sounds.
. And Moore's book, Now Jazz Now, is a total game-changer – it's like having a personal guide to explore all the best free jazz albums out there. Some people might say it's too challenging, but I think that's what makes it so exciting! The complexity and nuance of the music can be a little overwhelming at first, but trust me, it's worth diving in