I'd contend that the more you get into jazz on a deep level the more inevitably you will listen to free-jazz. It is a journey into freedom. And the ultimate.
You might, god forbid, by mistake start off listening to Dave Koz or Boney James, but unless you are brain dead, eventally you'll be on to Ken Vandermark in a spirit of protest if nothing else, that is if you really get what you are hearing and manage to process out all the glutinous crap along the way.
Take Apura it's not the greatest free-jazz album ever, I can provide you with a list if you like, but it is fresh and it does contain active input from one of the greatest free-jazz pianists alive Alexander Hawkins who is very much on-song.
For his best work at the moment however the new Tomeka Reid should be your first stop.
Apura is a Filipino name check for a link to the Blue Notes, the great South African band, and a nod to Louis Moholo-Moholo. Trevor Watts is playing well here and Moholo is like Rashied Ali. No higher praise in my book. But this really is an introduction to guitarist Karl A.D. Evangelista, who is a little like Sonny Sharrock perhaps and acquits himself admirably. Immerse yourself immediately. Give thanks too.
Out on Astral Spirits.
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