New Grass by Albert Ayler (1968)

Some of the greatest works of all time are met with harsh criticism upon their release — 'New Grass' is not exception. Fans and critics alike met the record with hostility on its release, with many accusing Ayler of "selling out". Larry Neal wrote: "this album is a failure... the direct confrontation with experience as lived by the artist himself is not there."

Ayler was hurt by the negative reaction to the album. He said "you have to make changes in life just like dying and being born again, artistically speaking. You become very young again through this process, then you grow up, and listen and grow young again." Wise beyond his 32 years at the time, he saw something that took many decades to come to.

Recent reviews have, as they tend to do, been more sympathetic. Though most have come around to the idea of New Grass being a brilliant classic — Ayler and specifically this recording, at least compared to the considerably more popular 'Love Cry' are far from getting the respect and attention they deserve. I'd expect this to get name dropped as a crucial reference more and more as time goes on — I at least can hear so much of it in indie darlings Geese's most recent record.

Stream on Spotify
Stream on Apple Music
Buy Vinyl