Junk Trap cover
Released

This 1978 album, released on the Italian label Black Saint, features alto saxophonist Luther Thomas and trombonist Joseph Bowie up front, with guitarist James Emery contributing skronky, biting-on-tinfoil solos. Shaw’s drumming is assertive and free in an expressionistic but never overbearing manner, and bassist John Lindberg shifts ably between almost harmolodic grooves and abstract bowed passages. All the compositions are by Shaw (with two co-writes from violinist Raymond Lee Cheng, best known for his work on saxophonist Frank Lowe’s Black Beings) and blend squalling free jazz with bluesy funk and soul.

Phil Freeman

Recommended by

Suggestions
Frances the Mute cover

Frances the Mute

The Mars Volta
Nonaah cover

Nonaah

Roscoe Mitchell
Real Gone cover

Real Gone

Tom Waits
Duets cover

Duets

Anthony Braxton, Roscoe Mitchell
Sacred Ceremonies cover

Sacred Ceremonies

Bill Laswell, Wadada Leo Smith, Milford Graves
Off the End cover

Off the End

Brandon Ross
Black Beings cover

Black Beings

Frank Lowe