Mike Johnston | Mike Gilmore | Mike Khoury | Kirk Lucas ‎– The Hidden cdr

In contrast to the quartet's second release (here), here there's less emphasis on Asian music influences, and it sounds more like a straightforward avant-garde jazz album (if there's such a term), with strong chamber music leanings. Mike Khoury's violin has a dominating presence along with Mike Gilmore's vibraphone, and the mood shifts from playful improvisations to drone-like atmospheres enabled by Kirk Lucas's cello. 2007 cdr on Triple Bath.

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Mike Johnston, Mike Gilmore, Mike Khoury, Kirk Lucas - Impermanence cdr

If King Crimson's beautiful improv lullaby "Moonchild" had been recorded by Asians instead of Brits, this is what it would sound like. This quarter plays free jazz without the madness and aggression usually associated with it. With heavy use of violin, vibraphone, and folk instruments such as the shakuhachi, the zither, the gong, and saz, they form an incredible relationship and communication in dark Eastern-tinged avant-garde, like a subdued Far East version of The Revolutionary Ensemble. There's also a surprise Japanese music-based cover of "When There Is No Sun" by Sun Ra. Cool stuff! 2009 cdr on Triple Bath, a label that should be releasing more music more often.

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