Name: New Grass
Brand: Albert Ayler

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

TMR638black

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2020-07-10

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Third­ Man ­Recor­ds

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Albert Ayler

Genre US

Jazz

Label US

Third Man

Albert Ayler was an influential American avant-garde jazz saxophonist, singer, and composer. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on July 13, 1936, he was the older brother of Donald Ayler. Known for his unique style and innovative approach to music, Ayler pushed the boundaries of traditional jazz with his free-form improvisations. Tragically, on November 25, 1970, his body was found floating in the East River in Brooklyn.
Ayler's contributions to the world of jazz are immeasurable. His powerful saxophone playing and soulful singing captivated audiences around the globe. He fearlessly experimented with different sounds and techniques, creating a distinctive sound that defied categorization. Throughout his career, Ayler released numerous albums that showcased his talent as both a performer and composer.
Although his life ended prematurely at just 34 years old, Albert Ayler left behind a lasting legacy in the world of music. His influence can still be heard today in the work of countless musicians who continue to push boundaries and challenge conventions within jazz and beyond.

Back In Stock

Albert Ayler’s 1969 album New Grass has been misunderstood from the day of its release. The album finds Ayler experimenting with soul music and digging back into his R&amp;B roots (he started his career playing saxophone with Chicago bluesman Little Walter), fusing it with the avant-garde free jazz (the one element of the record which garnered consistent praise) and adding the vocals of Rose Marie McCoy, The Soul Singers and Ayler himself. As if predicting the divisiveness of the record to follow, Ayler speaks directly to the listener and explains that New Grass is nothing like his albums before — that it is of “a different dimension of his life” — in the album opener “Message from Albert.”

New Grass deserves reconsideration, if not for the heavy grooves and surprising arrangements, then for its bravery in challenging norms of the time; by the ‘60s, jazz was well-accepted as a uniquely American art form, while soul as a genre was very much still seen as primitive. Ayler melds them together and creates something novel, adventurous, and completely his own.

At the time of its release, despite its divisive reception, New Grass helped break down the unnecessary walls dividing genres and revealed music’s potential freedoms. The album has gone on to influence generations of Jazz, R&amp;B, Funk, Hip Hop, Post Punk, No Wave and unshrinking artists like Pharaoh Sanders, Alice Coltrane, Funkadelic, Jungle Brothers, Red Krayola, Sonic Youth and Mark E. Smith.

Third Man Records can’t recommend this record highly enough. We are confident that it won’t take but one listen for you to understand New Grass is an undeniable healing force.

New Grass

Music US

Buy Albert Ayler - New Grass (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.