This is typical fire and brimstone punk free jazz from the golden era of European improv. I don't mean "typical" as a slander of any kind. It's just exactly what you expect from these guys during the very early 70's- three young masters really hitting their stride. Their version of the freedom happening overseas in America shot through with WWII angst. The sax is blaring and melodic, the drums crashing and tumbling, and the piano is at turns stately and feral. At times Bennink's voice joins with the sax for counterpointed screech or simply barking along with his skittering, dead tubs. It's arguable that these men, alongside the Stooges in the US, are among the real forefathers of punk. Not just sonically but as a cultural force of DIY ethics and pure, un-abashed musical expression. At one point Bennink picks up the reeds and adds scathing accompaniment to Brotzmann . Wait... are there 3 people playing horns? At times it's quite deceptive sonically, with music coming from all directions at once.

"Just for Altena" is the longest piece here at over 20 mins, recorded at the New Jazz Meeting auf Burg Altena, and it careens through several ferocious movements indicative of the personnel. Bennink's rolls displace meter at every instance, with the piano spitting blasts of fluid note clusters. At times the audience is heard laughing or cheering. Is Bennink goofing? His playing sounds joyful but serious as a heart attack. Each strike of cymbal or skin made with precise intent. At one point we hear a metallophone of some kind, adding to the melodic element of this wild and ripping ensemble. Then comes something more African, a marimba of sorts. Brotzmann is briefly possessed by Ayler...and then on to something else.

"Filet American" follows a similar route but in more subdued ways. Notes are more drawn out, given more space to develop in the air. "I.C.P. No. 17" opens with something akin to a digeridoo alongside the horns and some serious mouthpiece explorations over plaintive piano, which then opens into some lovely chords. Just as the music settles...POW! Off they go, and end this set much as they started by pummeling musical figures into dust in the most elegant possible way. A+