Peter Brötzmann - Solo + Trio Roma (2012)

Stunning double CD set that presents phenomenally powerful solo and trio live blow-outs from the Wildman of European free improvisation: both sets were recorded on consecutive days at the Victoriaville fest in 2011. The solo set is just gorgeous, re-connecting Brotzmann’s thunderous saxophone style with the heart of the jazz tradition, moving from a glorious, weeping reading of “Never Too Late But Always Too Early” through to “Frames Of Motion” which features a lift from Harry Barris’s “I Surrender Dear” and a stunning rendition of Ornette Coleman’s classic “Lonely Woman”. It’s a true tour-de-force, by turns achingly emotional and explosively exhilarating. But it’s the second set that really seals the deal. Here he’s paired with two-thirds of the Hairy Bones quartet, drummer Paal Nilssen-Love and electric bassist Massimo Pupillo. Pupillo is on absolutely devastating form, propelling the group through a single seventy minute piece that barely relents, riding metal crescendos with alla the bombast and psychedelic steel of prime Fushitsusha. Brotzmann is absolutely in his element, riding the torrential percussive waves with a mile-wide tone and some of his most raucous and soulful testifying. Indeed this even outdoes the Last Exit live jams in terms of the ultimate marriage of ferocious free rock and wild fire music stylings, even outgunning The Blue Humans in terms of maximum velocity freedom. If you’ve ever dreamt of Peter Brotzmann fronting Fushitsusha (and who hasn’t?!) then this is pretty much your dream date. At 71 years old Brotzmann has never sounded better and is making some of the most radical and sublime music of his lifetime. Can’t possibly recommend this mind-blowing set enough, truly has to be heard to be believed!