This is the fifth album by the band I once instinctively decided to call Humanization 4tet. Nowadays I better understand the somehow naive initial instinct, it’s true, but it turned out to be a wise decision. The Humanization 4tet’s music is an epic image of itself. It’s not simply a matter of music, no! It’s a kind of classic epic dramatic theater Renaissance . Stories, experiences, drastic situations that are sometimes traumatic in this world of misery and inequalities of opportunities. It is to descend into the bowels of hell and to emerge with all the strength, it is to crawl in the mud of this humanity of the fragile in misfortune that insists on not rising. And yes, sometimes living the orgy of excesses of many things that is beyond the limits of apparent normality, that lie. Also extreme adventures in swampy terrain which sometimes can mean no return, that red line. We live everything in depth, because we are like that, hyperactively sensitive, everything hits our minds at the speed of light, and we immediately look at, and go for it. Humanization 4tet is a binding machine. On our 3 tours on the road across America, from city to city, in a van full of emotions of several species, we experienced the most spontaneous and unbelievable events, which happened and were lived to the second. Breakdowns, imminent dangers, violence, attacks by gangs with guns, sawed-off shotguns pressed to the stomach, sleeping everywhere, often all together, disappearance of the van key, infernal discussions between us, tensions, emotions running high, every night a vertigo, always in direct relationship with others, bohemian nights sometimes right directly to the stage the next day. Flashes, visions, mind-blowing trips, turning corners and finding chaos, also love and the happiness of luminous and inspiring discoveries, the mystery. Everything is brought into the live show operations arena. In Europe there have been other adventures, sometimes drastic, more money, planes, trains, festivals, good venues, more records sales, no weapons, less violence despite a night of fighting in a Lisbon bar, not at all our fault, it’s the world we have – people’s fears, anyway it runed good, other different tensions, more space for dizzying bohemia, all in a strong relationship with the local life environment and other spirits in this world. Our music is worldly! We are free in our “journeys” and decisions, we build a conformity between four personalities, with admiration, respect, and above everything all the interest and pride in being together, with very strong bonds of friendship and intimacy, we created a family. And that’s how naturally we built Humanization 4tet’s music. After “Live in Madison” (recorded on the same city) and “Believe Believe” (recorded in New Orleans), this “Saarbrücken” session that we have in our hands is the third album recorded live, the form that has become obligatory for us, because it is on stage that we bring our “drama”, where everything happens again and lives through the music. In this case, we had that exceptional night at Saar Free Jazz Festival Saarbrüken in front of a red hot roaring audience that cheered intensely to the music. That’s why we call it “Saarbrücken”, this music is also from them and for them! Lisbon photographer António Júlio Duarte, author of all the covers photos, who accompanied us on the U.S. tours, became and has always been like the fifth member of the group.
AND:
Special dedication and tribute in memory of Dennis Gonzalez, our wizard.

Saarbrücken
1. Suite I
2. Suite II
3. Suite III

All music by Humanization 4tet, except “As of Yet” (on suite I) and “Bush Baby” (on suite III) both songs by Arthur Blythe

Recorded October 2nd 2021 at Saar Free Jazz Fest Saarbrucken
Mixed and mastered by David Zuchowski, October 2024
Produced by Luís Lopes
Executive production by Pedro Costa for Trem Azul
Design by Rodrigo Amado and Travassos
Photography by António Júlio Duarte

Special dedication and tribute in memory of Dennis Gonzalez