Spirits (Albert Ayler album)


Spirits is an album by American free jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler recorded in New York City in 1964 and first released on the Danish Debut label then later released on the Freedom label as Witches & Devils.

Reception

The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 3 stars stating "This is a revealing if not completely satisfying recording".
All About Jazz stated "The names on the cover look good: Albert Ayler, Henry Grimes, and Sunny Murray. But somehow the parts never add up, though. Sure, the album's four tunes wiggle plenty, producing the agitated jazz Ayler often preached; but, the motions on Spirits, unlike Ayler's better moments, resolve too very little... True Ayler diehards will undoubtedly gobble this recording up, but those in search of quality best look elsewhere".

Track listing

All compositions by Albert Ayler.
  1. "Spirits" - 6:35
  2. "Witches and Devils" - 11:55
  3. "Holy, Holy" - 11:00
  4. "Saints" - 6:05

    Personnel