"Two concert recordings -- never before released, mastered from original radio master tapes-by larger groups led by the German saxophone legend Peter Brötzmann. Both recorded by the esteemed Hessischer Rundfunk organization at the Frankfurt Jazz Festival, in 1968 and 1970. Two of the most explosive, rivetting pieces of music ever to come out of the European vaults. First: an unheard alternate version of Brötzmann's groundbreaking Machine Gun, this time with a nine piece group (same as the LP, adding tenor saxophonist Gerd Dudek), recorded three months before the BRO/FMP record was made! A beautiful recording, revealing some heretofore obscure aspects of the composition, it's sure to be a favorite for free jazz fans of any stripe. Second: a 40-minute masterpiece from '70, with a large group featuring three tenors, three trombones, no bassist, Fred van Hove on organ (!), Derek Bailey on guitar and Han Bennink and Sven-Ake Johansson on drums. It's a monumental piece, featuring some of the most extreme Bailey on record (sounding at times like Masayumi Takayanaki from five years later), and tremendous interplay between Brötz, Evan Parker and Willem Breuker. Dedicated at the time to South African bassist Johnny Dyani, it's a moving poem on forces of oppression and the idea of resistance. This deluxe package includes a12-panel foldout booklet designed by Brötzmann, including very personal liner notes by him; two beautiful period photographs (the waft of late '60's freedom off these is utterly exhilarating and undeniable), and the cover photo sports a large Joseph Beuys-like sculpture Peter created during the same period."