Northwoods Improvisers
Northwoods Improvisers is an improvising group from rural Michigan, started in the 1970s around bassist Mike Johnston and Mike Gilmore, later on vibraphone. It began with electric instruments and has played only acoustic instruments since about 1980, mixing free jazz with Indian, Asian and African forms. The group is best known for its long partnership with the Detroit saxophonist Faruq Z. Bey, which began in 2000. Drummer Nick Ashton joined Northwoods Improvisers in the mid-1980s.
Fanfares
The Northwoods Improvisers return with a new album, Fanfares the latest effort with a quintet/sextet lineup that includes veterans Mike Johnston (bass, bass recorder, wood flutes, percussion) and Nick Ashton (drums, percussion) and reunites them with…
Raft
The Northwoods Improvisers return with a new album comprising their first release in 10 years. Raft is the latest effort with an augmented lineup that includes veterans Mike Johnston (bass, bass recorder, wood flutes, percussion) and Nick Ashton (dru…
Emerging Field
** 2021 Stock ** Emerging Field marks the sixth release of Faruq Z. Bey with the Northwoods Improvisers on the Entropy Stereo label. This release finds the group exploring rhythm and space in a broader sense than previous offerings. Faruq Z. Bey, Mik…
Journey into the Valley
** 2021 Stock ** "Once a member of Detroit legends Griot Galaxy, Bey's take on jazz is informed by the spectral divinations of Sun Ra, and pieces like "Moors" and "sherrif Sam (Sound By Law)" remind you of prime era Arkestra, floating between beautif…
Ashirai Pattern
** 2021 Stock ** A diverse follow up to their 19 Moons release of 2002. The groups has added longtime Bey collaborator Mike Carey (flute/tenor saxophone) to the ensemble. Ashirai Pattern embodies a higher spiritual plane and elements of mysticism in …
Branches
2000 release ** "Entropy Stereo Recordings presents Branches by Northwoods Improvisers. This album represents a slightly different approach for the group. While the Northwoods have collectively used a wide variety of instruments on previous recording…
Northwood box vol.II
Sensational!!! 4LP box set with printed inner sleeves, black vinyls/black labels, ltd ed 75 copies only numbered. "second and last volume; including their earliest available recordings from 1985 (not available anywhere else)!" (ep) Fog and Fire #5…
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Northwoods box
26 copies only, numbered, on special orange paper with very small red/green dots (same style as the one used for the Qbico Omicron/Omega box set) with:- front artworks by Mike Johnston (two vvariations) hand-made frame by ep along Mike's arttwork, on…
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