The Alvaret Ensemble is a new improvisatory collective based around Greg Haines (piano), Jan Kleefstra (voice/poems), Romke Kleefstra (guitar/effects), and Sytze Pruiksma (percussion). This self-titled album is their first release, and was recorded over three nights at the Grunewaldkirche in Berlin by Nils Frahm in August 2011. In keeping with the spirit of the project, other musicians were invited to the sessions to add their own color Iden Reinhart played violin, as did Peter Broderick, while Hilary Jeffery provided the album with its mournful trombone tones. Martyn Heyne, who was just there to help out with recording, ended up unleashing the church s organ and bringing a completely new element and sense of power to the album.