The American avant-garde jazz saxophonist, singer and composer, Albert Ayler, was a pioneer during the free-jazz-era of the early 1960s, however, some critics argue that while Ayler's style is undeniably original and unorthodox, it does not adhere to the generally accepted understanding of free jazz. In fact, Ayler's style is difficult to categorize, and it evoked incredibly strong and disparate reactions from critics and fans alike. His innovations however, have inspired many subsequent jazz musicians. During Albert Ayler s tragically short career however, he managed to produce some of the most ingenious, pioneering and creative music that the jazz world had yet witnessed, and while his work is as far from easy listening as it is possible to get, in an age when an over-abundance of such is dropping off the trees, the challenge of listening to an Albert Ayler record can be more rewarding than ever before. This boxed-set contains eight of the great man s earliest recordings, all made in the first half of the 1960 s, which provide a unique opportunity for the beginner, the inquisitive, or those already well versed, to experience some of the finest music from the avant-jazz and free-jazz eras. DISC 1 1. I'll Remember April 16:34 2. Rollins' Tune 6:43 3. Tune Up! 5:15 4. Free 9:09 5. Introduction 1:16 6. Bye Bye Blackbird 7:17 7. Billie's Bounce 6:00 8. Summertime 8:47 9. On Green Dolphin Street 9:07 10. C.T. 12:03 DISC 2 1. Spirits 6:38 2. Witches And Devils 12:14 3. Holy, Holy 11:17 4. Saints 6:13 5. Goin' Home 4:29 6. Ol' Man River (Take 2) 5:32 7. Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen 4:56 8. When The Saints Go Marchin' In 4:19 9. Swing Low, Sweet Spiritual 4:37 10. Deep River 4:22 11. Ol' Man River (Take 1) 4:05 DISC 3 1. Spirits 7:56 2. Wizard 8:21 3. Ghosts (First Variation) 11:21 4. Prophecy 7:13 5. Ghosts (Second Variation) 7:07 6. Sweet Variation, No. 1 6:29 7. Ghosts (Another Variation) 10:20 8. The Truth Is Marching In 10:23 9. No Head 6:45 10. Sweet Variation, No. 2 9:25 DISC 4 1. Ghosts: First Variation 5:12 2. The Wizard 7:21 3. Spirits 6:47 4. Ghosts: Second Variation 10:02 5. Don's Dawn 1:05 6. Ay 21:22 7. Itt 23:26
