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The Wire 502

December 2025

+ The Wire Tapper 69

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On the cover: Mulatu Astatke: Deep into his latest tour, the pioneering 81 year old Ethio jazz vibraphonist is finding new ways to be himself. By Francis Gooding; Griot Galaxy: Faruq Z Bey’s enigmatic cosmic messengers fused Detroit’s underground jazz modes with Afrofuturist sci-fi themes. By Mike Rubin; Alpha Maid: UK based guitarist/vocalist/producer Leisha Thomas creates her own unique language of time loops, dub swirls and grungy licks. By Claire Biddles; Emergence Collective: The simple practice of pattern recognition opens up improvised utopias for this Sheffield crew. By Daryl Worthington; Konrad Smoleński: The Polish artist connects art and activism through alpine bell and sculptural instrument installations. By Robert Barry; Invisible Jukebox: Test Dept: Can South London’s industrial veterans prove their metal with our mystery record collection? Tested by Mike Barnes; Debit: The Mexican-American producer reanimates 1990s cumbia rebajada. By April Clare Welsh; Klinck Trio: Belgian chamber musicians are networking across improv and avant pop. By Clive Bell; Global Ear: Underground resistance to the rise of the far right in Vilnius. By Andy Hamilton; Unlimited Editions; Enigmatic digital dispatches from jb glazer’s glint music. By Misha Farrant; The Inner Sleeve: Helado Negro on ESG’s ESG; Against The Grain: Rave’s countercultural spirit is under threat in an era ruled by social media, argues Holly Dicker; Epiphanies: Andy Hamilton asks: why did Keith Jarrett stop composing?; and in the reviews sections: vari/ations: Odes to Oram. By Abi Bliss; Eve Libertine & Eva Leblanc: Cacophony and catharsis. By Claire Biddles; Fini Tribe: Post-punk preludes. By Ruaridh Law; Jazz in focus: The scene pictured, from high art to photo journalism. By Andy Hamilton; Music Stones: The Rediscovery Of Ringing Rock: The long history of stone tapes, from lithophones to rock hamonicons. By Katrina Dixon; Lunchmeat: Electronic and AV overload in Prague. By Daniel Glassman; Skaņu Mežs: Crowd-sourced creativity in Riga. By Daniel Spicer; and much, much more.

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The Portal

Jack DeJohnette (9 August 1942–26 October 2025)

Jack DeJohnette (9 August 1942–26 October 2025)

The US drummer, pianist and composer died on 26 October aged 83. In the February 1989 issue of The Wire, he was interviewed by the magazine’s then editor Richard Cook. As a tribute, we have made that article free to read in our online library

Tracks

Wire playlist: Alien Territory Archives

Wire playlist: Alien Territory Archives

Nyahh Records’ label runner Willie Stewart compiles a playlist to accompany new boxset The Alien Territory Archives: A Collection Of Radical, Experimental & Irrelevant Music From 1970s San Diego, a companion to Bill Perrine’s book of the same name

On Air

Shane Woolman presents Adventures In Sound And Music

Shane Woolman presents Adventures In Sound And Music

The 23 October edition of The Wire’s weekly radio show on Resonance FM and Resonance Extra included a special guest mix by Cairo-based DJ, producer and multidisciplinary artist El Kontessa, plus tracks by Alien Trackers, Sanaa Moussa and more

Tracks

Wire playlist: Sonny Simmons

Wire playlist: Sonny Simmons

Pierre Crépon selects tracks from the catalogue of US saxophonist Sonny Simmons, with input from Marc Chaloin, co-author of new autobiography Better Do It Now Before You Die Later

Tracks

Wire mix: Kinlaw & Franco Franco

Wire mix: Kinlaw & Franco Franco

To accompany their interview in The Wire 501, Bristol duo Kinlaw & Franco Franco curates an exclusive Wire mix of celestial musings, cyber-noir, and trappist beats

Tracks

Office Ambience 501

Office Ambience 501

Stream a selection of tracks from releases we listened to during the making of our November 2025 issue

Essay

Why listen to animals?

Why listen to animals?

A new Foley based production at London's Royal Court Theatre invites us into the sound-making world of animals, writes Giles Bailey

Tracks

Wire mix: Weston Olencki

Wire mix: Weston Olencki

To accompany their interview in The Wire 500, Berlin based US composer Weston Olencki curates an exclusive Wire mix of music by their close collaborators

Tracks

Office Ambience 500

Office Ambience 500

Stream a selection of tracks from releases we listened to during the making of our October 2025 issue

Tracks

Unlimited Editions: Ftarri

Unlimited Editions: Ftarri

To accompany his report on Ftarri in The Wire 499, Derek Walmsley explores a playlist of recent releases from the Japanese improv label

Tracks

Wire mix: SANAM

Wire mix: SANAM

Beirut based avant rock group SANAM curate a special mix of music to accompany their interview in The Wire 499

Tracks

Wire playlist: Chris Burn

Wire playlist: Chris Burn

To complement his interview with Chris Burn in The Wire 499, Seymour Wright discusses tracks from across the musician’s varied career

Tracks

Global Ear: Bologna

Global Ear: Bologna

Seth Wheeler and Jamila Squire compile an annotated playlist to accompany their report on Bologna’s experimental music centre in The Wire 499

Tracks

Office Ambience 499

Office Ambience 499

Stream a selection of tracks from releases we listened to during the making of our September 2025 issue

Download

Below The Radar 48

Below The Radar 48

Volume 48 of The Wire's subscriber only download compilation includes tracks by Crystabel Efemena Riley, Meat Strap, Labake Sabbath, Violeta Garcia & Hora Lunga, Nahja Mora, Annie Bloch & Emily Wittbrodt, Master Of Inane Conversation and more

On Air

Shane Woolman presents Adventures In Sound And Music

Shane Woolman presents Adventures In Sound And Music

The 17 July edition of The Wire’s weekly radio show on Resonance FM and Resonance Extra featured an exclusive guest mix from Anvar Kalandarov, musician and founder of Uzbek label Maqom Soul, as well as tracks by Cheb Bakr, tedzi, Stimulator Jones, DJ DIE SOON and more

Tracks

Unlimited Editions: Artetetra

Unlimited Editions: Artetetra

To accompany his report on Artetetra in The Wire 498, Miloš Hroch explores a playlist of recent releases from the Italian cassette label

Tracks

Global Ear: Manila

Global Ear: Manila

Simon Coates compiles an annotated playlist to go with his report on Manila’s underground music scenes in The Wire 498

Tracks

Office Ambience 498

Office Ambience 498

Stream a selection of tracks from releases we listened to during the making of our August 2025 issue

Tracks

Wire mix: Nina Garcia

Wire mix: Nina Garcia

To accompany her interview in The Wire 497, guitarist and composer Nina Garcia creates an exclusive Wire mix of her own music alongside works by Conlon Nancarrow, Sophie Agnel, Guttersnipe, and more

Tracks

Unlimited Editions: Dusty Ballz

Unlimited Editions: Dusty Ballz

To accompany his report on Dusty Ballz in The Wire 497, Daryl Worthington explores a playlist of recent releases from the label that celebrates new music from China

Tracks

Global Ear: Dhaka

Global Ear: Dhaka

Simon Coates compiles an annotated playlist to go with his report on Dhaka’s underground music scenes in The Wire 497

Tracks

Office Ambience 497

Office Ambience 497

Stream a selection of tracks from releases we listened to during the making of our July 2025 issue

On Air

Lucy Thraves presents Adventures In Sound And Music

Lucy Thraves presents Adventures In Sound And Music

The 5 June edition of The Wire’s weekly radio show on Resonance FM and Resonance Extra featured tracks by DJ Marcelle/Another Nice Mess, Cécilia Angeles, Joy Guidry, Anika, Mark Stewart, Larry Stabbins & Mark Sanders, and more

Tracks

Global Ear: Bratislava

Global Ear: Bratislava

Chiara Rendeková compiles an annotated playlist to go with her report on Bratislava’s underground music scenes in The Wire 496, as the city resists authoritarian crack downs

Tracks

Wire mix: Quinton Barnes

Wire mix: Quinton Barnes

To accompany his interview in The Wire 496, Montreal vocalist and producer Quinton Barnes creates a special mix of his own music alongside tracks by Aby Ngana Diop, Miles Davis, Alice Coltrane, RP Boo, and others

Essay

A note of gratitude from The Wire

A note of gratitude from The Wire
Thank you to everyone who responded to our call out last Friday by either subscribing to the magazine, buying a copy, making a donation, or helping to spread the word.

On Air

Shane Woolman presents Adventures In Sound And Music

Shane Woolman presents Adventures In Sound And Music

The 23 May edition of The Wire’s weekly radio show on Resonance FM and Resonance Extra featured an exclusive guest mix from vocalist and composer Nadah El Shazly, as well as tracks by O$VMV$M ft gnome GOD, Kin’Gongolo Kiniata, El Kontessa, Bad Sound & DJ Marfox, Miso Extra and more

Tracks

Wire mix: Bios Contrast & Nilotpal Das

Wire mix: Bios Contrast & Nilotpal Das

To accompany his interview in The Wire 495, Kolkata producer Nilotpal Das, aka Bios Contrast, creates a special mix of his own tracks alongside music by influences including Aphex Twin, Madvillain, AR Rahman, and My Bloody Valentine

Tracks

Office Ambience 496

Office Ambience 496

Stream a selection of tracks from releases we listened to during the making of our June 2025 issue