What are some good avant or free jazz albums?

I trying to listen to more jazz, but I'm having difficulty figuring out where to look. I like the stuff that's more experimental/"out there", such as Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor, Don Cherry, Donald Byrd's "New Perspective", Mingus' "Me Myself an Eye", Max Roach's "Freedom Now Suite", etc. I don't like traditional jazz, like straight bop or swing. Any recommendations?|||Well, you didn't mention it, so I will: "Free Jazz" by Ornette Coleman, which is usually the first thing mentioned in this discussion.





Look into Albert Ayler's work, especially his work prior to his death in 1970.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Ayle鈥?/a>





Eric Dolphy's work is also very challenging, especially "Out To Lunch", which is his masterpiece.





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Dolphy|||Ornette Coleman :


The Shape of Jazz To Come rec '59-'60 on Atlantic 8122 72398-2.


Change of The Centurary rec '59 on Atlantic 81227 3608-2


At The Golden Circle: Stockholm.vols 1-2 rec '65 on Blue Note 35518-19.





Albert Ayler :


Spiritual Unity rec '64 on ESP Disk 1002


Live At Greenwich Village : The Complete Impulse Recordings rec '65-'67 on Impulse IMP12732 2


Spirits Rejoice rec '65 on Calibre 1020.





Archie Shepp :


Four For Trane rec '64 on Impulse 051218-2


The Way Ahead rec '68 on Impulse! 051272 2


Live In New York rec '00 on Verve 013482





Anthony Braxton :


For Alto : rec '68 on Delmark 420 ( as solo ).


Eugene ( 1989 ) rec '89 on Black Saint 120137


Ninetet ( Yoshi's ) rec '97 vols 1-2 on Leo CDLR343/344 2CD and 382/383 2CD.





Charlie Haden :


The Montreal Tapes Vols 1-4 rec '89 on Verve CD.


Liberation Music Orchestra rec '69 on Impulse 0511188-2


Quartet West rec '86 on Verve 831673-2





Cecil Taylor :





Nefertiti, The Beautiful One Has Come rec '62 on Revenant 202 2CD.


Conquistador ! rec '66 on Blue Note 76749


3 Phasis rec '78 on New World 203.|||I'd say skip the Free Jazz album by Ornetter until you have listened to his quartet albums. The quartet albums are beautiful and disciplined. If you pay close attention you will see that they have structure, a unique spontaneous harmony. the interplay between Ornette and Charlie Haden is like nothing else in jazz. I can't reccomend much current free jazz although I know there is some great stuff out there. I am a believer in focusing on one player or group for a while.|||rosco mitchell sextet- sound