The
Full Blast trio includes
Peter "Superlungs" Brötzmann on reeds and winds, electric bassist
Marino Pliakas, and drummer
Michael Wertmüller. The trio issued an intense workout that was recorded in 2006 on the German Jazzwerkstatt imprint and featured five untitled improvisations. This second offering was recorded at Radio Zurich over two days in March of 2008. By contrast, there are 11 pieces here, the vast majority structured almost like proper tunes -- yes, they are titled -- and range from two and half to six and a half minutes, most of them on the shorter side of the scale. There is one long workout entitled "Protoneparcel" in the middle of the recording. Whereas
Full Blast's self-titled debut felt very much like a
Brötzmann solo offering with sidemen, this date feels very much like a collaborative effort. The relative comfort of the individuals with one another is quite amazing, given the powerful musical personality of
Brötzmann. The electric bass of
Pliakas is the real glue in these proceedings: it has enough of a dynamic range to actually engage the different sides of the saxophonist's nature.
Wertmüller is a drummer of extreme dexterity and range, though his muscular approach to the kit recalls both
Milford Graves and a younger
Billy Cobham. His rim shots, which occur with constancy, are actually a trademark.