Baden-Baden '75

Pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach conceived of the Globe Unity Orchestra in 1966, combining Gunter Hampel’s quartet, Peter Brötzmann’s trio, and Manfred Schoof’s quintet into one large ensemble. Over the years, membership fluctuated, but the group developed a strong collective identity and became Europe’s greatest free big band. In 1975, they invited two guests to join and provide one composition each for a studio recording session. Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava’s “Marañao” opens this album, a squalling, convulsive fanfare that eventually gives way to what sounds like Carnival parade music. That’s followed by Anthony Braxton’s “U-487,” a nearly 19-minute piece with a marching rhythm and tons of clattering percussion from drummer Paul Lovens. The other three pieces, “Jahrmarkt,” “Hanebüchen,” and “The Forge,” are composed by bassist Peter Kowald or von Schlippenbach, and feel much less structured, with plenty of room for solo eruptions and multi-horn blare, which makes the sudden, all-too-brief appearances of almost Ellingtonian harmony (plus accordion) on “Jahrmarket” all the more shocking.