Albert Ayler
Of all the figures of free jazz, the Cleveland-born tenor saxophonist Albert Ayler (1936 to 1970) had the shortest career and one of the most radical visions. He first recorded in 1962 and was dead by 1970, drowned in New York's East River at thirty four, yet in those few years he articulated an aesthetic second only to Cecil Taylor's, a virtuoso art made out of anti-virtuoso means. Starting in rhythm and blues, he arrived in New York with a huge, keening tone and a repertoire of hymns, marches and folk tunes blown apart into pure sound; Spiritual Unity (1964) and Bells remain touchstones.
In Greenwich Village
Originally released in 1967, Ayler's first LP on Impulse! and arguably his best for the label. "During 1967-69 avant-garde innovator Albert Ayler recorded a series of albums for Impulse that started on a high level and gradually declined in quality. …
Bells
Reissue on 180-gram opaque white vinyl. Originally released in 1965. The transitional "Bells" was just under 20 minutes, released originally as one side of a clear vinyl LP with the other side empty of music. It was recorded at a May 1, 1965, Town…
Prophecy
ESP-Disk present a reissue of Albert Ayler's Prophecy, originally released in 1975. Recorded in concert at the Cellar Cafe, NYC, June 14, 1964. Three weeks before this trio recorded ESP-Disk's first jazz album, the epochal Spiritual Unity (ESPDISK 10…
The Hilversum Session
Originally recorded in 1964. Featured artists: Albert Ayler (tenor saxophone); Sunny Murray (percussion); Gary Peacock (bass); Don Cherry (cornet). The legendary recording, digitally remastered with new artwork, and liners by Russ Musto. Includes fre…