February 16, 2026

This was a split show of sorts. A quarter of the program was "old", basically one long track ("Kings and queens" by the Soft Bounds group, as they can be called). The rest of the things played were all new releases; I had a bit of build-up of new stuff that I wanted to play. Of the new ones, my faves were probably "Liquid sunshine" by Glenn Makos & BRu, from Arrowsic, and "Soupe pragmatique by Hugo Blouin, from Le buffet. Go here to listen this show. 

There's one last episode of Breaking The Tethers left in February, on February 23. You can join me from 10 to 11 MT, at cjsw.com or 90.9 FM.

Thanks.

Andrew

February 9, 2026

Nine tracks played this week, some old, some new, maybe leaning a little more "light" in sound. Here's a few I particularly liked:

"Once upon a time" by John Surman. There are some great solos in this piece recorded in 1969 in Germany.

"Bouquet" by Bobby Hutcherson. A mellower piece from what might be my fave Bobby Hutcherson album, Happenings.

"Phthalo green" by Bluebird. New, woodwind-fronted avant jazz.

"Clav it up your way" by Lettuce. Ends the show in a funky way.

You can listen to this show here.

Please tune in for the next BTT show, which will be on Monday, February 16, from 10 to 11 am MT, at cjsw.com or 90.9 FM. 

Thanks.

Andrew

February 5, 2026 - Alternative To What?

I was willingly drafted back to duty on Alternative To What this week. Loads of great tracks played, with a bit of an overall slant to guitars. There were also some wonderful song titles e.g. “When Satan ruled the earth, Jesus made my fish tank boil” by Upsilon Acrux and “A steady heartbeat is the sound of death” by Rick Parker and Li Daiguo. I am always a sucker for an interesting or crazed title. You can listen to this show here.

I believe Kerry will return to Alternative To What on Thursday, February 12. I’ll return to my regular show, Breaking The Tethers, on Monday, February 9. Come hang with me at 90.9 FM or cjsw.com from 10 to 11 am MT.

Thanks.

Andrew

February 2, 2026

Apart from a few newly-released songs played at the end of the program, this main event for this show was a tribute to the Man From Saturn, Sun Ra, inspired by the album My words are music: a celebration of Sun Ra’s poetry. Here’s what was played: Two Sun Ra pieces, one solo piano, one full band; five poems, and two short interludes (played on EVI by 101 year-old Arkestra bandleader, Marshall Allen). It was all fine stuff. Listen to it here.

I’ll be back with more BTT soon, on Monday, February 9, 10 to 11 am MT, cjsw.com or 90.9 FM. If you can, please join me.

You can also join me on Thursday, February 5, when I guest-host Alternative To What on CJSW. Regular host Kerry Clarke is away so I will be doing my thing in her stead. Tune in from 4 to 6 pm MT.

Thanks.

Andrew

January 26, 2026

Only four tracks this week, mostly crazy stuff . The first two played this week were particularly nuts. These were "Septober energy pt. 1" from Centipede (50+ people in the band!) and "My friend, blood is shaking my heart" by Masayuki Takyanagi, which was totally bonkers. On a mellower note, I also played a jazzy version of the Grateful Dead's "The music never stopped", co-written by Dead guitarist Bob Weir, who passed away earlier this month.

February 2026 rolls around with the next BTT program, on Monday, February 2, 2026. Come hang with me at 90.9 FM or cjsw.com, starting at 10 am MT.

Thanks.

Andrew

January 19, 2026

Recently on BTT, I've been playing some longer tunes, often faves of some sort. This week, I brought out the longer version of Miles Davis' "Circle in the round", which is definitely a favourite. I've played this before but not for several years, maybe longer. Anyway, I was glad to put this one back on air again.

I was also pleased to feature a track from piano-player and composer Jason Moran ("Sound it out" from the album Black stars). Years back, I played Moran tunes here and there but, for some reason, I haven't done so recently. Like "Circle in the round", I was glad to play some Moran music.

Here's a link to the podcast for this show. 

We hit the end of January soon, with the next edition of Breaking The Tethers taking place on Monday, January 26, from 10 to 11 am MT, at cjsw.com or 90.9 FM. Please join me there and then.

Thanks.

Andrew

October 23, 2025 - Alternative To What?

In addition to hosting the 2025 Funding Drive (FD) show for Breaking The Tethers, three days earlier than this, I took part in the FD program for Alternative To What. I guest-hosted Alternative To What during funding drives 2024 and 2025. Regular host Kerry Clarke was back in person this year (she called in during the last couple of years) but asked me to join her live, which I was very glad to do. The songs played were mostly Kerry's fine selections but I picked a couple of tracks myself, "Sixteen shots" by Sugar Brown (which was a big hit when I played it on Alternative To What a few months earlier) and "Enlightenment" by the Atlantic Jazz Ensemble. You can take in the whole thing here.

Thanks.

Andrew