Favorite Albums of August
Plus: Fall 2025 Release Preview
Hello and welcome!
I’ve got a huge issue for you all this week, rounding up my favorite albums of August as well as previewing some upcoming fall releases I’m really excited about.
But first, if you missed this post earlier in the week from Dan Gorman of The Discover Tab, go check it out. I had the opportunity to participate in his “Digging for Something” series, and it was really fun to make a list like this and see Dan’s thoughts on the albums I selected.
If you’re a regular Chaotic Good Jazz reader, some of the picks might look familiar, and if not; I encourage you to listen to any of these five you haven’t heard yet.
Second, a little bit of housekeeping.
I’m making Chaotic Good Jazz a twice-monthly publication. My plan is to post on the 5th and 20th of every month, with the former being a recap of my favorite releases from the prior month (like this issue), and the latter will be fun lists (and playlists) more akin to the style of newsletter of CGJ A-Z, Biscuits & Groovy and Around The World in 18 Tracks.
I’ll still be broadcasting weekly on Shady Pines and I’ll still post the MixCloud link here on Substack, but it might not always go out as an email.
I made this decision because I feel this newsletter will be of a higher quality if it’s less repetitive and frequent. I also plan to post more often on Notes with album recommendations and what I’m listening to, so make sure you have the app downloaded and are following along.
I’m also starting to get into longer form album reviews and artist interviews, more on that to come. For now, I hope you enjoy these albums from August as much as I have.
Favorite Albums of August 2025
Grasping for the Moon
Unthethered - Paul Giess (Feat. Timothy Ragsdale, Grant Calvin Weston & Lee Clarke)
untethered | August 1
Grasping for the Moon is the progressive electro-acoustic album from the band Untethered. Philadelphia-based trumpeter Paul Giess is joined by Grant Calvin Weston on drums, Lee Clarke playing guitar and synths, and Timothy Ragsdale on bass. The album released early in the month, but it didn’t come onto my radar until just last week. If I had heard it sooner, you would have heard me raving about it sooner.
At first glance I thought something was up with the track titles, and it wasn’t until I checked the band’s Bandcamp that I learned the story behind them:
The title ‘Grasping for the Moon’ references an ancient Buddhist parable where a group of monkeys create a chain so they can touch the moon. Only after falling into water do they understand they had been reaching for a mere reflection of the moon in a body of water. The story is a lesson on mistaking illusions for reality. The titles of the tracks offer a poem depicting the parable.
Grasping for the Moon
A Selfie with the Moon on Water
Shiny Squirrel Floats in Your Eye
Immaculate Digital Depth Perception
Late Night Group Chat at Treetop Social
Ey, The Moon Got Rizzz
Initiate Operation Lunar Rescue Squad
Hang with the Head to Tail Teach Team
Finger Dancing on a Flat Screen
Tree Branch Support Ticket #32125
Splashdown at Reflection Town
Soaking Wet Ah Ha
Look Up, Banana Brains All About
- UntetheredSolstice. Change.
Andy Hay
Independent | August 1
This live, experimental, and raw recording from UK drummer Andy Hay was aptly recorded on the evening of June 21st, 2025 (the summer solstice). Featuring a collective 300 years of experience from his musical collaborators, the album is completely improvised and heavily influenced by the music of Don Cherry and, to a lesser extent, Sly Stone.
Balm
Ill Considered
New Soil Records | August 1
One of my favorite trios, Ill Considered, offer a softer and more calming album with Balm, contrasting with their traditional dark and angular sound. The artwork on this album also has a really incredible backstory:
Every vinyl LP of Balm features a unique hand-painted cover by Vincent De Boer. Each one forms part of a larger 300-piece canvas — a collective artwork made up of all the individual sleeves. - Ill Considered, Bandcamp
Innovations & Lineage - The Chicago Project
Emma Dayhuff (Feat. Isaiah Collier, Kahil El’Zabar, and Dee Alexander)
Division 81 Records | August 15
Wow, wow, WOW!!! Innovations & Lineage gets me moving and grooving every single time I listen to this amazing album. Emma Dayhuff’s bass lines are perfectly funky, while Isaiah Collier kills it on sax and keys. Kahil El’Zabar’s drumming is utterly infectious, and Dee Alexander’s soulful voice will keep this one at the top of my favorite albums of 2025 list.
Atoms in the Void
Ivan the Tolerable & Hawksmoor
Library of the Occult Records | August 15
Even I can’t keep it chaotic all the time. This album’s sound has been described as psychedelic, experimental, ambient, art rock/cosmic jazz. If you’re looking for some peaceful and chill electronica vibes, look no further.
Fields, Malloy, Hathaway, Bryant at Keys Lounge
Olivia Fields, Wyck Malloy, Xylyn Hathaway, Dae Bryant
Ratstar Records | August 19
This is the second release from Portland-based label Ratstar Records, which focuses on live recordings. This energetic and lively album was recorded at the Keys Lounge on August 16th, 2025.
The ambient crowd noise and conversations can be heard through out the album, allowing the listener to easily close their eyes and be transported to the scene of a late-night jazz bar. You can read my full review, with a few Rose City-specific references, of the album in my August 25th newsletter.
Strange Heavens
Linda May Han Oh (Feat. Tyshawn Sorey & Ambrose Akinmusire)
Biophilia Records | August 22
An all-star lineup led by Malaysian-born, Western Australia-raised, and now New York-based bassist, Linda May Han Oh. Her collaborators on Strange Heavens are trumpeter and Artistic Director of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA, Ambrose Akinmusire, as well as MacArthur Fellowship and Pulitzer Prize winning drummer, Tyshawn Sorey.
The Prophet and The Madman
Ami Taf Ra
Brainfeeder | August 22
Kamasi Washington produced this album of “Moroccan gnawa, gospel, and spiritual jazz“ from North African, LA-based singer Ami Taf Ra. Poetic and powerful, I found this album to be absolutely hypnotic at times.
The Prophet and The Madman is a bold statement from a vocalist rooted in the traditions of Arabic greats like Fairuz, Umm Kulthum and Warda, yet reaching fearlessly into new sonic territory. It’s an album that seeks not answers but presence—a devotion to the journey, not the destination. - Ami Taf Ra, Bandcamp
That Wasn’t A Dream
Pino Palladino & Blake Mills
Impulse! Records | August 22
Pino Palladino is a musician you already love the music of, even if you didn’t know it. Palladino filled in on bass for the Who for a decade after the death of John Entwistle, and he’s also shared either a studio or a stage alongside John Mayer, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Elton John, and Adele.
In Palladino’s second album as a bandleader with guitarist Blake Miles (Notes with Attachments, 2021), the duo are joined by experimental saxophonist Sam Gendel and percussionist Chris Dave, who also played on Adele’s 21 with Palladino.
(Idiomemorelia)
Sononym
Independent | August 29
This album from Portland-based musician Max McCargar, has been one of my favorite listens of the month. The LDY BTTRFLY guitarist plays guitar, bass, flute, and synths on the album as well as all the production, mixing, and composition. Idiomemorelia is the album, but it’s also a really accurate description of what you’ll hear once you press play.
Idiomemorelia
(noun)
a. The experience of being acutely aware that one is the last member of an organization, ethnicity, species, or other social group. The last of a kind.
b. A memory of an event, person, place, or thing that is only possessed by a single individual. Unique and thus fragile.
Sunday Coffee -EP
Ozkat-Okzat
Or Similar Records | August 29
Last but not least, the groove-heavy group of Okzat-Ozkat — also from Portland — just released this 4-track EP at the end of August. This is one of those albums that I like to remind readers/listeners to stretch before listening because intense head-bobbing will occur.
More Albums I Enjoyed: August 2025
Space Bubbles
Devin Gray (Feat. Liz Kosack & Cansu Tanikulu)
Rataplan Records | August 1
Progressive and improvised avant-garde jazz from Rataplan Records.
Caught Up In This Illusion
Juicy J, Andea Owens
Trippy Music LLC | August 15, 2025
A surprising collaboration between versatile rapper Juicy J and Endea Owens, featuring DownBeat Rising Star Vibraphonist of the Year Sasha Berliner.
August
Scree
Rumination Record Co. | August 22
Instrumental and groovy guitar-heavy jazz from the NYC group, Scree.
Better You Don’t
Jim Black, The Schrimps
Intakt Records | August 22
A haunting, intense, and explosive sophomore album from the multi-dimensional quartet.
The Escarpment
Richard Carr
Infrequent Seams | August 22
Violinist Richard Carr is joined by his son, Ben Carr (Carrtoons), on bass for this ambient and experimental album.
Mayhem
Jason Rigby (Feat. Mark Guiliana)
Endectomorph Music | August 22
A collection of improvisations between the duo of Rigby and Guiliana, mixed and mastered by Pete Min.
Ride into the Sun
Brad Mehldau
Nonesuch Records | August 29
Check out this review of Mehldau’s new album from The Media Room’s Frank Housh
Album Review: ‘Ride Into The Sun’ - Songs From A Visionary Depressive.
Sprites
Caroline Davis, Dustin Carlson
Out Of Your Head Records | August 29
Experimental avant-garde jazz fusion from Out Of Your Head Records.
TRIUNE
Nicholas Payton (Feat. Esperanza Spalding & Karriem Riggins)
Smoke Session | August 29
A terrific trio featuring trumpeter Nicholas Payton, bassist Esperanza Spalding and Karriem Riggins on drums.
Vanguardia Subterránea: Live at The Village Vanguard
Miguel Zenón Quartet
Independent | August 29
Despite playing hundred of shows over the span of two decades, this is surprisingly the Miguel Zenón Quartet’s first live album.
Saul Williams Meets Carlos Niño & Friends at TreePeople
Saul Williams, Carlos Niño & Friends
International Anthem | August 28
Meditative and cosmic spoken word jazz from International Anthem.
Upcoming Jazz Releases Fall 2025
Flirty Ghost
Rachel Kitchlew
Hip Dozer | September 5
Cinematic and spiritual harp jazz fusion, produced by Oscar Sholto Robertson.
Kimatika
Etceteral
tak:til | September 5
Slovenian free jazz crossed with krautrock, and just a hint of jazztronica. Think The Comet is Coming meets Too Many Zooz.
Be Water, My Friend
BrandonLee Cierley
LofiJazzSoul | September 19
A blend of electric and acoustic jams from my soon-to-be first guest on Chaotic Good Radio!
It’s Always About Love
Ancient Infinity Orchestra
Gondwana Records | September 26
The sophomore album from the 15-member ensemble on Gondwana Records.
Spirits Of The Dead Are Watching
Believe
Ramble Records/Relative Pitch Records | September 26
The first of two volumes of improvised music from the newly formed Sydney-based band.
Vol. III: Ancestros Futuros
Cochemea
Daptone Records | September 26
“The 3rd and final chapter in Cochemea's epic quest to explore and express the spiritual connection between his art and ancestry.“ - Cochemea, Bandcamp
Roulette
Alfa Mist
Sekito | October 3
This concept album from the pianist and MC imagines a dystopian near-future where reincarnation is real and asks the question, “If reincarnation means accumulation of knowledge, would you share it and enable everyone to understand more about the world?”
Imagine More
Lophae
Independent | October 3
An exciting second album from Lophae, the independent project featuring Greg Sanders on Guitar, CGJ’s favorite bearded bassist — Tom Herbert (aka @electrobeard on instagram) — as well as Ben Brown on drums and Sam Rapley on sax.
AND MORE!
People of the Wind
Pouya Ehsaei
Akazib Records | October 3
Legacy!
Ruby Rushton
22a Records | October 10
Kaleidoscopic Visions
Tom Skinner
International Anthem | October 17
Hand of Gifts
Domo Branch
Albina Music Trust | October 31
Techno Logic
Makaya McCraven (Feat. Theon Cross & Ben LaMar Gay)
International Anthem | October 31
There Is Beauty, There Already
Sarathy Korwar
Otherland Records | November 7
The Sirens
Sholto
DeepMatter Records | November 21
I’d love to hear from you! Let me know what albums you all loved throughout August and/or are excited for later this fall in the comments.
Listen Live!
Friday’s 10am - Noon Pacific
The Playlists
As you may have noticed, I’ve made the switch from Spotify to Apple Music over the summer. I’m sticking with Apple for my personal use, but I’m also adding Spotify playlists back into my newsletter.
I’m excited to share these albums and artists with you all and I want the music I share to be accessible for the most amount of people.
Below you’ll find the Monthly Rotation playlist. Consider this the cousin of my previously frequently updated Spotify playlist “The Fresh 150” (I didn’t realize how much that sounded like a NASCAR Race until just now.) Whereas that playlist was updated every week and capped at 150 tracks, this one will be updated between the 1st and 5th of each month and feature my favorite tracks from albums released the month prior.
You can check out the Chaotic Good Jazz on Shady Pines Radio playlist featuring every (available) song I’ve played on the radio so far. I’m working on adding all these tracks to a Spotify playlist and that will be shared here soon.
That’s all for this week. I’ll be back in your inbox on September 20th, thanks for reading!
Whoa, what a post! Just when I thought I had a handle on my playlist of new releases this week you drop a motherlode of more great tunes to check out. No complaints, though, it’s amazing to have such a bounty of great music.
Totally understand the switch to your posting schedule, it sounds like it’ll be more fun and hopefully less of a chore. (I do hope you continue to post the radio tracklist weekly though so I can “follow along” - it can sometimes be tricky to catch who’s playing what while listening.)
One name I was surprised to not see above is Chip Wickham! His new album, The Eternal Now, on Gondwana Records, is fantastic, chill UK jazz in the same vein as The Ancient Infinity Orchestra or Phi-Sonics. Not to be missed, I’ve had the record on constant repeat since its release yesterday.
Lastly, thanks for continuing to update the playlists on Spotify. While I’d like to switch to another platform that doesn’t have such unsavory characteristics, I’m having trouble finding one that compares in terms of features so I’m still there for the time being.
Really appreciate what you do here. Peace!