On March 8, 1971, in Tokyo, Japan, an extraordinary musical encounter unfolded-one that would resonate through the worlds of jazz and improvisation. Pianist Mal Waldron and bassist Gary Peacock, two artists whose careers had been shaped by a deep commitment to exploration, came together in a rare, captivating session that would be immortalized as 'First Encounter'. This album is a showcase of both their individual brilliance and their seamless collaboration, captured live in the moment with no room for pretence.