(Free Jazz) Full Blast & Friends (Peter Brotzmann, Ken Vandermark, Thomas Heberer, Marino Pliakas, Dirk Rothbrust, Michael Wertmuller) - Sketches And Ballads - 2011, FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Live at the Donaueschinger Musiktagen, 16.10.2010, recorded by SWR.

Though there are plenty of episodes on this single, 36-minute piece composed by Full Blast's drummer Michael Wertmüller that might qualify as a sketch or a ballad, eruptions of atonalism are always just round the corner – because the front line features those paint-stripping free-sax stars Peter Brötzmann and Ken Vandermark, with New York downtown trumpeter Thomas Heberer in close attendance. Wertmüller's score is pretty specific and intricate; it apparently runs to 50 tightly packed pages, with almost unplayably scary computer-aided time signatures. The improvising is concentrated into explosive epithets between passages that are sometimes squabbly, sometimes as solemn as a march or a ghostly proclamation by Albert Ayler, and display a percussive breadth, from tymp-like rumbles to frantic, free-jazzy clamourings. Heberer's slow-turning trumpet figures against expostulatory rejoinders from the saxes, Brötzmann's keening Hungarian tárogató, and a richness of texture that embraces the abrasive and the sumptuously orchestral, amount to an imposing example of free-improv unhampered by the tight leash it's on. ~ john fordham, guardian.co.uk
Full Blast is a potent free jazz aggregation featuring Peter Brötzmann on tenor saxophone and tarogato, Ken Vandermark on baritone saxophone and clarinet, Thomas Heberer on trumpet, Marino Pliakas on electric bass, Dirk Rothbrust on percussion and timpani, and Michael Wertmüller on drums. Nice friends to have! This concert was recorded live at Donaueschinger Musiktage, 2010. The music is played in one continuous performance, with dymamic shifts of music forging full out blasting sound and ebbing to moments of near-lyrical telepathy (the aforementioned sketches apparently) Ken Vandermark builds rapid swirling clarinet over bubbling bass and drums in a nice duet feature. Spare brass and bass build around bounding timpani with the percussion developing a nervous, urgent feel. Heberer is rumbling, probing and kneading the scilence featuring his spare unaccompanied trumpet blazing trails across the skies. Pinched tarogato rampages back in with strong drumming moving into overpowering force, then throttling back to a near ballad tenor feature. Brötzmann's tenor saxophone gains very harsh raw strength and subtle backbeat supports. The full group storms back out into full band confligration for a final blast off into the cosmos. Definitely a bracing jolt for torrid improvisation with some surprisingly gentle and melodic touches. ~ jazzandblues.blogspot.com
Sketches and Ballads is only one 36-minute track, but there’s quite a lot packed into this “song.” And although most avant-garde fans out there consider Full Blast to be a Peter Brötzman-helmed project (I know I do), “Sketches and Ballads” was actually composed entirely by drummer Michael Wertmüller. Furthering the democratic process is the inclusion of “friends,” taking Full Blast from a trio to a one-off sextet. This is a group that has always boasted a large sound for three people; after all, Brötzman’s nickname is “Superlungs.” But the addition of trumpeter Thomas Heberer, percussionist Dirk Rothbrust and restless multi-reedman Ken Vandermark just further galvanizes an already powerful band. And this is not some kind of Free Jazz-era Coleman behemot - this is a multi-movement composition flush with fluctuating tempo, dynamics and never ending tension. This is one of those albums that comes highly recommended, even though it’s clearly not for everyone. ~ john garratt, popmatters.com
Full Blast & Friends finds Vandermark, trumpeter Thomas Heberer, and timpanist Dirk Rothbrust joining regular Full Blast trio members Brötzmann, bassist Marino Pliakas, and drummer Michael Wertmüller. The expanded group delivers an captivating piece credited to Wertmüller. Rendered as one long tune, though overall album clocks in on the more succinct side at 36 minutes, the group fill every precious minute with telepathic connections, captivating blasts of atonal power and moments of sublime sound. Full on chaotic blasts are contrasted with beautiful solo and duo passages that fully exploit the tonal possibilities of the horns, a quick bass break about 5 minutes into the piece generates powerful sonic propulsion, and the timpani adds a fascinating and dynamic dimension. The song is a complex and varied piece that deserves many listens. ~ paul acquaro, freejazz.com

Peter Brötzmann - tenor saxophone, tarogato
Ken Vandermark - baritone saxophone, clarinet
Thomas Heberer - trumpet
Marino Pliakas - electric bass
Dirk Rothbrust - percussion, timpani
Michael Wertmüller - drums, composition