Album: Albert Ayler, Stockholm, Berlin 1966 (Hat Hut)
Revelatory radio recordings from the Ayler quintet's concerts as part of a "Newport in Europe" package (incredibly, after Brubeck, Getz and co, out came free-jazzer Ayler to close the show, when, according to violinist Michel Samson, the crowds went wild.
The same songs are played on each date, with minor variations, but the music is startlingly melodic in both cases, with the leader's sax singing more than squawking. I'm converted: this is extraordinary stuff.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies