Like natto (foul-smelling fermented soybeans), men's handbags and John McCain, free jazz — and its European corollary, free improvisation — doesn't inspire moderate reactions. But love it or loathe it, there's no denying that this noxious subgenre is still in a rude state of health more than four decades after it first emerged.
Those who like their music virile and teetering on the brink of listenability are in for a treat at Tokyo Conflux 2008, which rounds up some of the most formidable improvisers on the planet for some heavy skronk. The assembled players will appear in a number of different configurations over five nights, so you might just want to cancel all your dinner dates for the week.
Representing the old guard is German saxophonist and clarinetist Peter Brotzmann, a towering figure on the European improvisation scene for the past 40 years. Now in his late 60s, his recent recordings have shown hints of mellowing, but don't be fooled: he can still out-blow players less than half his age.