What makes Pica Pica by Peter Brötzmann notable?

Pica Pica is significant for its embodiment of the European free jazz movement, showcasing Brötzmann's distinctive style that influenced countless artists. The album received critical acclaim upon release and has been noted for its innovative approach to improvisation, solidifying Brötzmann's reputation as a leading voice in avant-garde music. Released in 1984, Pica Pica marked Peter Brötzmann's continued exploration of free jazz after his influential breakthrough album, Machine Gun. At this point in his career, he was already recognized as a key figure in the avant-garde jazz scene, pushing boundaries and collaborating with notable musicians across Europe.

How many songs are on Pica Pica?

Pica Pica has 3 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Pica Pica

Peter Brötzmann · 1984

41 min · 3 tracks · jazz

A raw explosion of free jazz that combines fierce improvisation with a relentless, driving rhythm.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Instant Tears — This lengthy opener captures the essence of the album with its expansive improvisational style, showcasing Brötzmann's aggressive saxophone work and dynamic interplay between musicians.
→
Wie du mir, so ich dir noch lange nicht — This track highlights the collective synergy of the ensemble, blending intricate rhythms and spontaneous melodies that exemplify the freedom and unpredictability of free jazz.
→
Pica, Pica — The title track serves as a concise yet powerful statement, featuring sharp contrasts in dynamics and showcasing Brötzmann's ability to evoke intense emotional responses within a brief timeframe.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

Pica Pica exemplifies free jazz through intense improvisation and distinctive sound, marking its significance in the genre.

What we noticed

The album consists of three lengthy tracks, each featuring extended improvisation that showcases the musicians' technical skills.
The first track opens with a cacophony of sound, gradually building intensity before settling into a more rhythmic groove.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Instant Tears 20:43
2 Wie du mir, so ich dir noch lange nicht 17:05
3 Pica, Pica 3:59

What to play next

Listen next

14 Love Poems

1984

Go back to

Andrew Cyrille Meets Brötzmann in Berlin

1983

Full Peter Brötzmann discography Where to start with Peter Brötzmann Artists like Peter Brötzmann

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata