u/mescaline_eyes

They definitely need to keep the mini drum kit moments. Additional percussion creates a nice effect, for a stretch of time the jam gets simultaneosly more rhythmically dense and yet otherwise a bit more sparse/atmospheric. And the main attraction is Page gets to shine with some synths, of course. I believe sometimes it's cool for Trey to step back a bit, so that when he returns to guitar, it's that more powerful. So, i'd welcome them continuing with this and/or with any variation/equivalent to it.

Not gonna break new ground, but, man, those YEM/C&P jams from 7/29 are unbelievable. I was not that crazy about many of the previous 25+min monsters this summer (namely, i felt that SOaM and Carini had some weaker spots or not the best pacing), but that night they totally brought it!

Now, i wouldn't overstate the mini drum kit role here and i don't want it to sound like it "saved them" lol Obviously they still had plenty of peak moments regardless.. but it really felt like more often than not these would kick in an extra gear, push them in an interesting direction or simply add more variety and dynamics.

One of the best covers ever made. Love how it starts in complete "light piano version" mode, the type you'd hear on some chill out radio station and then... They work the Bent Knee magic, gradually adding that playfully sinister twist from the second verse on.

Since we now have harsh vocals/growling/shrieking added, seems like this should be the next step, would be really helpful for identifying metal/hardcore releases that use both styles consistently. Of course, adding "clean vocals" and just using it alongside the harsh tags doesn't make sense outside the heavy music context. But "mixed vocals" sounds good and understandable, right? Maybe you have a better name for this?

A stab at a "listener's diary" if you'll allow

Tom Penaguin - Tom Penaguin II (2026)

Not exactly jazz, just a very faithful, warm and loving Canterbury revival of the highest caliber. In the best National Health traditions. So, can be looked as partially fusion, perhaps. And it's a one-man band, just incredible, can't stop marvelling at how he does it all

GoGo Penguin - Man Made Object (2016)
GoGo Penguin - A Humdrum Star (2018)

They always have some cool moments, but could be better if they would let loose sometimes and the drum sound wasn't so stiff. Trying to somewhat mimic electronica, i guess? Kinda of a weird choice to make the snare sound like that either way..with such a thud, idk. I'd expect a snappier one if you go for some sort vaguely Aphex Twin-y touch. Seems like a mismatch to me

Woody Shaw - Stepping Stones: Live at the Village Vanguard (1978, 2005 edition with bonus tracks)
Woody Shaw - Little Red's Fantasy (1978)

Some fiery performances on the live one, the pianist, Onaje Allan Gumbs is really shining.

LRF is recorded in '76, completely different line up (and again not the most well known players), very consistent.
Woody started his solo career with avant-fusion, but then quickly settled into 60s (post-)bop. At least far quicker than i'd expect. And i might prefer him like this (although it's been a long time and i really need to revisit the first two albums by now)
so, perhaps that's why he went back to it. He felt this is where he truly belongs

渋さ知らズ [Shibusashirazu] - 渋星 [Shibuboshi] (2004)

Exhalarating japanese big band, what's not to love. Maybe not entirely perfect, but the infectious force, the jolt of energy you get from this keeps me returning from time to time.

Kronstad 23 - Dødehavet (2026)

Pleasant, if not particlularly remarkable, Norwegian ethio-tinged record, not much more to say.

Immanuel Wilkins - Immanuel Wilkins Quartet: Live at the Village Vanguard Vol. 1 (2026)

I'm afraid the main man was the weakest link here for me, just can't quite get into his style of playing. might try to come back later and pick up from vol 2.
Also, the last track must be some sort of a prank lol or a "statement" perhaps. Eternal. well, "the name checks out". It's not just the relentless repetition, it's the tediousness of the theme they're repeating that's bugging me.

Wayne Shorter - Schizophrenia (1969)
Wayne Shorter - Etcetera (1980, recorded in 1965)

My first encouter with Schizophrenia and so far only the gorgeous Go really stood out. As for Etcetera - Penelope, Barracudas and Indian Song are all huge and make it a top-tier Shorter release.

Grant Green - Alive! (1971, 2000 edition with bonus tracks)

I wish the sound was a bit less boomy, bass-heavy, but the performances certainly won't let it be that much of a detriment. Time to Remember is just sublime.

Bobby Hutcherson - Dialogue (1965)
Bobby Hutcherson - Now! (1970)

Isn't he dreamy? the pace of Dialogue is excellent, the way you fall into the surreal dream on Les noirs marchent and the title track, with every minute getting deeper into "abstract painting mode" and then "snap back into reality" on the closer, returning to bop-y waters.

And Now! is fascinating in a competely different, quite unexpected way. Another journey. This time with heavy use of voices that form a little choir in addition to the main singer Gene McDaniels, who kind of takes Nina Simone/Terry Callier style to almost avant-proggy teritorries.

Zbigniew Seifert - Man of the Light (1977)

I'll definitely be looking into more stuff he's played on in his sadly short life (fuck, cancer at 32...), and the same goes for piano player Joachim Kühn.. I mean, it's about time i delved into Polish jazz in general.

Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (Exit) Knarr - Fly (2026)

"Sensible" free jazz. intense, but not pummeling. Pulling all the curious tricks, like making it sound like two tunes violently crash into each other or one slowly overtakes the other, all the while causing chaos around it all. My first encounter with Flaten's solo album, previously only heard him on Krokofant albums, which i'm quite fond of.

https://preview.redd.it/9ae68t2qz76h1.png?width=1760&format=png&auto=webp&s=5fd8c2271745fe4cf3eaa254e2f88d51f6ff4c59