Albert Ayler - Fondation Maeght Nights, Vols. 1-2 (1991)

Review by Scott Yanow
A little over three months before he was found drowned, Ayler was caught performing in concert at the height of his powers. Unlike his Impulse releases which often featured him trying to incorporate commercial elements into his music, the release from the European label Jazz View (the first of two CDs) allows Ayler to stretch out and "preach" in his emotional and unique style with just sparse backing (pianist Call Cobbs, bassist Steve Tintweiss and drummer Allen Blairman). This and the second volume would be Albert Ayler's final recordings and are quite memorable.While the avant-gardist's later Impulse albums were erratic and half-hearted attempts at commercialism, his final recordings (two CDs recorded live in concert) feature him in peak form. Ayler, one of the most controversial of the free jazz players of the 1960s, has rarely sounded more viable or creative than on these special recordings. Volume 2, as with the first set, finds him stretching out on four of his free yet melodic originals. Both sets are recommended.