One of the two inspirations of the list. See my review. This is a great intro to Otomosan's musical universe. A superb guitar player, turntablist and musical conceptualist.

For the week of April 28th- Szilard Mezei's second CD on the Leo label features his great compositions and his working quintet. See my review and listen to the music samples.

For the week of May 11th, this brand spanking new release from Evan Parker. This is a recorded Sept. 2004 concert of a Parker piece played by a group formed from his and Roscoe Mitchell' myriad groupings. See my review.

For the week of May 25th, I am going with this 2003 release featuring Billy Bang and Frank Lowe. See the reviews for the story behind this powerful release. But above all listen to the sound of Bang's violin against the rich tones of Lowe's tenor. Powerful and sweet.

For the week of June 8th, you cannot err by going w/ Larry Ochs and the sax & drum corp. Ochs on tenor and sopranino sax, Scott Amendola and Don Robinson on drums. Ochs on tenor in particular is my kind of preacher.

For the week of June 22nd, I suggest this sweet trio led by the vastly underrated Herb Robertson on the trumpet.

For the week of July 6th, theSatoko Fujii Quartet w. Natsuki Tamura (trumpet), Mark Dresser (bass) and Jim Black (drums). Fujii, Dresser and Black have been playing together for around a decade now. It shows in their communal brillance.

For the week of July 20th, let us go old school. This trio recording from November of 1981 feature David Eyges on cello, Byard Lancaster on various saxes and flutes, and Sunny Murray on drums. Do not overpay. Easily available at regular prices on other sites (e.g., Cadence-North Country)

For the week of Aug. 3rd., I recommend Chris Kelsey's new CIMP CD. Kelsey (a superb soprano sax player and composer) is joined by John Carlson (trumpet), François Grillot (bass) and Jay Rosen (drums).

For the week of Aug.17th, I recommend a very nice Fred Anderson quartet double CD on the Asian Improv label. This features Jeff Parker on guitar. Basically, you cannot go wrong w. any Fred Anderson CD. The man is a paragon of consistent quality.

For the week of Aug. 31rst., I recommend Mauger's Clean Feed release, The Beautiful Enabler. Rudresh Mahanthappa (alto sax) tears it up w/ AB's old rhythm section: Mark Dresser and Gerry Hemingway!!!!!

For the week of Sept. 14th, I will sing the praises of this superb sextet. Itaru Oki (trumpet), Natsuki Tamura (trumpet), Keizo Noburi (sax), Satoko Fujii (piano), Hiroshi Funato (bass), and Jin Mitsuda (drums). And, trust me, you can find it cheaper. Definitely worth the effort.

For the week of September 28th, check out Jordan McLean's wonderful septet to nonette CD. Featuring his compositions and one traditional Turkish tune, the band is funky, cerebral, and pretty much all over the place. I promise a review soon.

For the week of Oct. 12th, I ask you this question: Is it an exciting update of the mid-60's Jackie McLean CDs or is it so much more? Both. See my review for some details. And, for the love of doG, listen to the samples.

For the week of Oct. 26th, I suggest this Ornette Coleman release that is already available at some sites. Contains a wind quintet performed by the Virtuoso Ensemble and a trio performance from August, 1965. Coleman is joined by the great David Izenzon (bass) and Charles Moffett (drums). I promise a review as soon as Amazon will let me.

For the week of Nov. 9th, I am recommending this work by Matt Bauder. He recorded a septet and then used some of the materials for composerly electronic manipulation. I promise a review very soon.

For the week of Nov. 23rd, I recommend this 12 piece powerhouse "circus' playing the music of Keefe Jackson. I promise a review soon.

For the week of Dec. 7th, I suggest you ask for this CD for Xmas: Memorize the Sky and Anthony Braxton team up to play 2 of AB's compositions and two by Matt Bauder. The result is a lovely mix of MtS's weird quiet ambient music and AB's lovely F saxophone and Eflat clarinet.

For Xmas week, I highly recommend this 1992 session that features two wise griots of the tenor: Yusef Lateef and Archie Shepp. Features Tom McClung on the piano, Stephen McCraven on drums, Avery Sharpe on bass and Adam Rudolph. On Lateef's own YAL label. Check out his site.