LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Recorded live at the Cellar Cafe NYC, June 14t h1964, during the same period in which Ayler recorded the earth-shattering Spiritual Unity with Gary Peacock on bass and Sonny Murray on drums. There are distinct similarities on the two recordings in that Ayler's most famous themes Spirits, Wizard, Ghosts are adapted although the energy & variation within the themes is extraordinary... "the beauty of his music seemed a triumph of instinct over spirit, a heart-rending cry, exuding all the weakness, contradictions, joy of human being - a kind of desperate god-seeking which necessarily created it's own techniques. Albert Ayler triggered the awakening of a forgotten sensibility, which for many listeners, became unbearable in its implacable lucidity..." (Bernard Lairet, from the original liner notes). Also available on CD (ESP 3030).