It's been awhile since i contributed. the main reason being that there hasn't been anything jumping out at me lately that i felt like i should share.Then it occurred to that I've been listening to this album alot, so why not write about it.
Albert Ayler is best known for what is often described "space bebop" or experimental/improv free jazz. The best example of this, as well as his most well known recording is "Spiritual Unity" which features Gary Peacock on bass and the incredible drumming of Sunny Murray. Its a pretty amazing and groundbreaking record, that's definitely worth checking out (as is his entire discography, really)
I've decided to focus on one of Ayler's later releases, the poorly received and often reviled "New Grass" a recording which many of his diehards seem to view as the worst of his work. The reason for that being that it is Mr. Ayler's attempt at returning to his early R&B roots, the thing for me that makes this record so incredible is that there's still that heavy dose of the squakey free jazz influenced tenor sax that was such a large part of his later career. So, to the diehards it sounds like an attempt at something commercial but to the somewhat untrained ear such as mine (that has a relatively minimal knowledge of free jazz) It sounds like a weird mish mash of the two, with shaky/warbly attempts at R&B vocals focusing on themes such as spirituality and love laid over somewhat subdued piano/drumming and funky basslines which is then coupled with Ayler's signature searing often blistering tenor saxophone leads.
Despite the songs of praise,love,spirituality,unity etc that made up such a larger part of his career there's an underlying sadness about the record, as the album was made just two years before Albert Ayler took his own life.
All in all, it makes for a really interesting album that's definitely worth checking out.
Enjoy!
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