Tag Archives: Weather Report

Mixtape #165

04 November 2024


New Orleans’ Basher, captained by adventurous composer and strikingly talented saxophonist and clarinettist Byron Asher, is one of the most electrifying free jazz party bands out there. They’ve released May Day earlier this year, a thrilling, buoyant and infectious dance floor-ready album with an unabashedly punk spirit. Besides Basher, Byron has also been showcasing his dexterity and versatility in Skrontch Music, his experimental large ensemble, Flaxan, a multi-timbral horn quartet, and various other projects. His musical universe is chock-full with gems that will cast a spell on you and make you dance and smile. We just had to ask him to curate a mix and we’re pumped to share the superb selection of tunes he put together for us.

“The tracks are songs that have influenced my work over the years in New Orleans, with Basher as well as with other band projects, as well as my compositional interests and my commitment to expansive improvisation.” - Byron Asher

  1. Anthony Braxton – 22-M (Opus 58) [Arista]
  2. Hama – Bororo [Sahel Sounds]
  3. Ornette Coleman – Sleep Talk [Antilles]
  4. Improvisational Arts Quintet – River Niger [Rounder Records]
  5. Björk, Kasimyn – Atopos [One Little Independent Records]
  6. Arthur Blythe – Down San Diego Way [Columbia / CBS]
  7. Semblanzas del Rio Guapi – Los Guasangú [Discos Pacífico]
  8. Weather Report – Unknown Soldiers [Columbia]
  9. Sons of Kemet – Play Mass [Naim Jazz]
  10. Jelly Roll Morton – Shreveport Stomp [Victor]

Mixtape #102

04 February 2019

A restless drummer extraordinaire, improviser and composer, Booker Stardrum musical involvements include performing and recording with an array of bands and projects. We have been hooked on his staggering sounds ever since we came across Booker’s 2015 debut album, Dance And, which was one of our picks of the year, as was last year’s follow-up, Temporary etc. So we can’t wait to hear what he comes up with next, and are over the moon he put together this month’s enthralling mixtape.

  1. Sacred Flute Music from New Guinea (Ragnar Johnson assisted by Jessica Mayer) – Mo-Mo [Ideologic Organ]
  2. Carl Stone – Jitlada [In Tone Music]
  3. Laurel Halo – Mercury [Latency]
  4. Jon Hassell – Solaire [ECM Records]
  5. Ahnnu – Ne-Ne [NNA Tapes]
  6. Weather Report – Milkyway [Selles]
  7. Motohiko Hamase – Lung [Shi Zen]
  8. Paul DeMarinis – Kokole [Music & Arts]
  9. Jlin – Kyanite [Planet Mu]
  10. $3.33 – + [Leaving Records]
  11. Susumo Yokota – Red Swan [Leaf]
  12. Midori Takada – Trompe-l’oeil [RCA Red Seal]