Peter Brötzmann collaborated with many artists in his career, regularly adding new compatriots into the fold, and Norwegian drummer Paal Nilssen-Love became one of his staunchest allies after the percussionist joined the Chicago Tentet in 2004. They worked in various contexts, including this inexhaustible, hard-hitting duo. Most of the albums they’ve issued have captured live performances, but in 2015 they made this stunning studio recording. As Nilssen-Love says in the liner notes, “Peter had acquired a contra-alto clarinet and was very enthusiastic about the sound of this instrument. I had also bought several Korean gongs which I hadn’t used yet.” They met up for a two-day session in Antwerp that August, and from the outset it feels different from much of their work. A second volume of music from the same studio session will be released later in the year of 2024, along with a CD of live recordings.
recorded by Michael Huon at Zuiderpershuis, Antwerp 25-26th of August 2015
mixed and mastered by Martin Siewert
produced by Paal Nilssen-Love and Peter Brötzmann
woodcut by Brötzmann, used for duo tour 2013
cover design by Lasse Marhaug