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International Front

International Front

By Steelwool Trio

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Released in:

1995

Shipping from: Chicago

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International Front

Ken Vandermark

Chicago, USA

A cornerstone of avant-garde music. Discover his groundbreaking discography, collaborative ensembles, and digital releases right here.

Artist Profile

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catalytic_sound

An international music based co-operative designed to help develop economic sustainability for its artists through membership support.

💥NEW ADDITION on CD, LP & DIGITAL 💥 — from @sonict

💥NEW ADDITION on CD, LP & DIGITAL 💥 — from @sonictransrec , “Cimota seeks a unique sound as an ensemble, where the focus is equally based on collective musicianship as on solo-driven performances. The music draws inspiration from the entire history of jazz, European and American free improvisation and new composed music from all corners of the world. All this is framed by compositions with occasionally complex forms, intricate themes, grooves and swing, but also not afraid to explore the quiet, with long sound-based parts. It all flows easily and frictionless from start to finish. This is jazz for our time, challenging and accessible, melodic and abstract, music that refuses to be ignored and demands that the listener give it their full attention.

"[ˈkɪmɔtɑː] is packed with eventful, curious compositions—intricate yet restrained—shaped by a fascination with all the ways one can write for a small quintet: splitting it apart and stitching it back together. The music draws inspiration from odd jazz and 100–150 years of composed music, while along the way the ensemble also finds the occasional open space to scramble around in at will. There is a tangible joy inspired by all kinds of modernists, and a playful seriousness that I, at least, very much need here and now. To be continued.” -Filip Roshauw / Now's The Time

🗣️ Get this and many more new additions at the Link in Bio!

#ingebrigthakerflaten #havardwiik #new #jazz #vinyl

🚨 BAND SPOTLIGHT 🚨 — Ab Baars Trio one of the prim

🚨 BAND SPOTLIGHT 🚨 — Ab Baars Trio one of the primary outlets for Dutch multi-instrumentalist and composer @ab_baars (tenor saxophone, clarinet, shakuhachi). Formed in 1991, the trio has maintained a remarkably consistent lineup with bassist Wilbert de Joode and drummer Martin van Duynhoven, never changing its core personnel.

The trio’s music occupies a distinctive space in European free jazz, characterized by what critics have described as a “cool, restrained” Dutch sensibility—more focused on wit, grace, and nuanced interplay than the aggressive, “take-no-prisoners” style of their American counterparts . Baars’ playing draws inspiration from the extremes of tuning and color explored by saxophonists like Von Freeman and Albert Ayler . His clarinet work, in particular, reflects intensive study with American clarinetist John Carter.

They documented its work extensively on labels like Geestgronden and Wig, with notable releases including 3900 Carol Court (1992), A Free Step: The Music of John Carter (1999), Songs (2001), and Slate Blue (2014) . They have also collaborated with an impressive roster of guests, including Roswell Rudd, Steve Lacy, Misha Mengelberg, and @ken_vandermark (documented on Goofy June Bug, 2008).

🔸Enjoy their discography at the Soundstream 🌻 Know more at the Link in Bio.

#abbaarstrio #freejazz #wilbertdejoode #martinvanduynhoven #stream

🚨 BACK IN STOCK on CD 🚨 — from @corbettvsdempseymu

🚨 BACK IN STOCK on CD 🚨 — from @corbettvsdempseymusic , “One day in the studio, something ridiculously great happened. It was deep Chicago winter, cold as shit. Four musicians assembled for a round-robin set of improvisations – duets, trios, a few quartets. Approached casually, the late morning bloomed into Largest Afternoon, 15 crackling encounters between guitarist @artolindsay , saxophonists Joe McPhee and @ken_vandermark , and drummer Phil Sudderberg. No expectations – open minds and creative intent.”

“Lindsay, a brilliant singer and songwriter and one of the key architects of No Wave via his band DNA, has proven himself once again to be one of the world’s top texturalists, and he is an equally sensitive and challenging group improvisor. Vandermark and McPhee brought their long friendship and musical partnership to the studio, and both engaged with Lindsay in different ways, bringing blue flame and melody. The session’s final wildcard, Sudderberg, a versatile drummer who collaborates with Vandermark on the band Marker, brought a lovely sense of buoyancy and ear for contrast in colors, as well as a raucous rock pulse. With parts this stellar, imagine when Largest Afternoon > than the sum. Nobody knew this would happen.”

👉 Get it at the Link in Bio! 👈

#artolindsay #kenvandermark #joemcphee #philsudderberg #corbettvsdempsey

💥 The 79th edition of the Catalytic Artist Albums

💥 The 79th edition of the Catalytic Artist Albums continues with “Dubuque Duets”, a live set from September 2024, recorded at the @smokestackdbq club near the shores of the Mississippi River. When @timothymark1976 was invited to bring in a group for a special event the club was hosting, he jumped at the chance to continue the duo dialogue with @bishopjeb —a format they have presented off and on since the early 2000s. The result is a focused and engaging fifty minutes of improvisation, grounded in deep listening and flowing in and out of a wide range of sonic landscapes with the intention, clarity, and patience that over three decades of working together can provide. Made in Dubuque, IA. // Design by @federicoplva

🎧 Available now at Soundstream! 🌻 Enjoy exclusive albums — Know more at the Link in Bio!

#timdaisy #ljebbishop #new #chicago #dubuque

Now streaming at Soundstream! 🎞️ Excerpt of @takea

Now streaming at Soundstream! 🎞️ Excerpt of @takealukearound 's Exposure Quintet at the CS Festival 2022, held at the @elasticarts , featuring Jim Baker, Avreeayl Ra, @wilkersonjr.edward & @ken_vandermark — Enjoy the full concert at our online streaming platform💥

#lukestewart #kenvandermark #chicago #elasticarts #new

🚨 U.S. music fans 🚨 We've got restocks of these tr

🚨 U.S. music fans 🚨 We've got restocks of these tremendous @theexband and Terp records which you can now order without paying the outrageous transatlantic shipping costs!

📦 Supplies are limited so pick up these beauties while you can, or stream many Terp & Ex records at the Soundstream!! 🔊

#theex #terrieex #kenvandermark #new #stream

🎏 @akira8262 & Nana Omori mind blowing performance

🎏 @akira8262 & Nana Omori mind blowing performance recorded for and presented at the Catalytic Sound Fest 2021 — Enjoy the full concert at the Soundstream // Become a member!

🎉 Sponsored by the @jf_newyork

#akirasakata #nanaomori #new #freejazz #japan

🚨 NEW ADDITION on CD 🚨 — “From a night of music in

🚨 NEW ADDITION on CD 🚨 — “From a night of music in Holland that's become legendary among NRG Ensemble enthusiasts, Hold That Thought presents a blazing concert of the quintet's unique sound. With Mars Williams and @ken_vandermark on reeds, Kent Kessler and @soundstrom on basses (the latter doubling on trumpet and electric guitar), and @stevehunt761 on drums, this incarnation of the band was arguably its tightest and mightiest, taking the inspiration of founder Hal Russell (1926-1992) and running with it.”

👉 Get it at the Link in Bio! 👈

#marswilliams #kenvandermark #freejazz #cd #new

🔺 NEW DIGITAL ADDITIONS from @tashidorjiiii 🔻 — Te

🔺 NEW DIGITAL ADDITIONS from @tashidorjiiii 🔻 — Ten fantastic albums combining the amazing solo recordings, the band MANAS, duos with @billorcutt , Steve Noble & @susie.ibarra , trio action with @akionda_official & Che Chen, and legendary Joe McPhee & Bill Orcutt. Just raw improvisation, political fire, and moments of breathtaking beauty. Essential listening.

💥 One of the most singular players out there 🔗 Find them at the Link in Bio!

#tashidorji #joemcphee #billorcutt #new #guitar

Chicago's own @jetsah , an artist and master scree

Chicago's own @jetsah , an artist and master screen printer since the 90s. Scratchboard drawings translated to screenprint. Think stark contrasts, almost woodcut-like, with a gritty Chicago soul. These aren't posters, they're collectible artifacts!

✔️Peter Brötzmann, Hamid Drake & @littlehueymusic Trio at @constellationchicago in 2014, beautiful beige heavy stock matte paper, printed in two colors.

🔺 Get this very limited and now extinct screen print signed by Dan at the Link in Bio — Limited edition of 100, but just a few are left...

#chicago #dangrzeca #poster #screenprint #peterbrötzmann

🚨 @corbettvsdempseymusic restocks in the house! 🚨

🚨 @corbettvsdempseymusic restocks in the house! 🚨 The extraordinary roster of this label includes important work from artists in the Catalytic Sound musician collective back in action, including @zpribbon , @matsgustafssonsax , and @ken_vandermark .

📦 Buy 3 or more items and save on shipping! 📦 Get these beauties at the Link in Bio!

#zeenaparkins #kenvandermark #matsgustafsson #corbettvsdempsey #new

FIRE ROOM 🔥 'Broken Music' is back in stock at our

FIRE ROOM 🔥 'Broken Music' is back in stock at our online store // @ken_vandermark , @lassemarhaug & @paalnilssenlove deliver raw, explosive energy. Recorded in 2005 at Grand Sport Sudios in Oslo — Don't sleep on this one, from the amazing and historic Atavistic catalogs! 🔗 Hit the Link in Bio.

#kenvandermark #lassemarhaug #paalnilssenlove #atavistic #electronics

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