The cats that are Bright Dog Red are back; this time with two new albums that bring the Yin and Yang back into balance and flow. If you’re new to their vibe it goes like this - gather with your talented friends and pour your spirit into a fully improvised session with nothing but your intent as a guide. Bad Magic and Hegemonetized are the sixth and seventh Bright Dog Red albums released here at ropeadope, and for an ensemble that creates on the spot there is a solid throughline to their art. Each album seems to build upon and outsmart the last. Here are some words from bandleader Joe Pignato on the purpose and reasons:

Bad Magic began with a set of themes to inspire the individual contributors, the prevalence of misinformation, antiscientific thinking, and other forms of deception subverting online platforms and cultural and political discourses.

As we started making Bad Magic, the sessions took on two palpably distinct characters. Some improvisations had a contemplative or atmospheric air, but others were more aggressive, reflecting a kind of urgency. It became clear that we were developing two discrete yet related concepts simultaneously. Those more forceful tracks became Hegemonitized.

The fact this this feels like the musical equivalent of a classic novel is to be savored. Make some time, dust it off, get on that bus, and let it all begin.