This five-disc collection makes good on a promise always inherent if unstated in the sturdy Brötzmann Chicago Tentet schematic: Given the diversity and versatility of its participants, it’s the perfect vehicle for a Festival program all by its lonesome. The 11 players (when you count reedist/brass player Joe McPhee properly as the invaluable plus-one) have long-standing associations within and without the larger group. Chicago has always been a signifier of geographical inception rather than membership, with half the Tentet’s constituents hailing from European compass points. Having formed under Brötzmann’s ostensible leadership early in the last decade, the ensemble is now very much an assemblage of collaborators. As with their inaugural project released by Okkadisk as a lavish three-disc box back in 1997, this set balances girth with greatness in documenting an early 2009 stand.
- Peter Brötzmann - tarogato, Bb clarinet, alto & tenor saxophone;
- Ken Vandermark - Bb clarinet, tenor saxophone;
- Mats Gustafsson - alto fluteophone, baritone saxophone;
- Joe McPhee - tenor saxophone, pocket trumpet, flugelhorn,
- Johannes Bauer - trombone;
- Jeb Bishop - trombone;
- Per Åke Holmlander - tuba, cimbasso;
- Fred Lonberg-Holm - cello, electronics,
- Kent Kessler - double bass;
- Michael Zerang - drums;
- Paal Nilssen-Love - drums
Disc 1:
- Chicago Tentet (53:15)
Disc 2:
- Sonore: Mats Gustafsson/Peter Brøtzmann/Ken Vandermark (1) 12:48 (2) 11:25
- Michael Zerang/Paal Nilssen-Love (3) 22:27
- Johannes Bauer/Per Åke Holmlander (4) 10:54 (5) 7:21
Disc 3:
- Joe McPhee/Ken Vandermark (1) 9:38 (2) 10:14
- Jeb Bishop/Paal Nilssen-Love (3) 15:00 (4) 14:36
Disc 4:
- Survival Unit III: Joe McPhee/Fred Lonberg-Holm/Michael Zerang (1) 15:10 (2) 10:50
- Trombone Choir: Joe McPhee/Per Åke Holmlander/Johan Nes Bauer/Jeb Bishop (3) 13:01 (4) 8:09 (5) 4:08
Disc 5:
- Peter Brötzmann Chicago Tentet + 1 (1) 36:32 (2) 16:28
