The music was conducted by Alexander von Schlippenbach and Aki Takase.

[1][2][3] In a review for AllMusic, Joslyn Lane wrote: "Live in Japan '96 is an excellent show from a premiere cast of musicians.

"[3] Bill Shoemaker, writing for Jazz Times, commented: "free improvisations are well-integrated into the structure of the works... Schlippenbach and Takase are a formidable composer/arranger/pianist/conductor tag-team; the Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra is an excellent vehicle for their uncompromising work.

"[5] Track 2 recorded on July 31, 1996, at Nakano Public Hall, Tokyo.

Remaining tracks recorded on August 6, 1996, at Shin-Kobe Oriental Theatre, Kobe.