Mount Everest Trio: Waves From Albert Ayler

Mount Everest Trio

Originally released on Sweden's Lim Records in 1975, Waves from Albert Ayler is part of Atavistic's Unheard Music Series of lost or never-released free-jazz recordings. Sweden is known not just for its death metal and fluffy pop bands but also for its thriving jazz scene. This summit meeting between saxophonist Gilbert Holmstrom, bassist Kjell Jansson, and drummer Connie Sjőkvist contains no blind devotion to Ayler from smitten youngsters--Sjőkvist actually played with Ayler in New York in the '60s, and Holmstrom had already recorded a number of albums as a leader. The music here is often fast and furious with all three putting the pedal to the metal, but there are also some swinging midtempo numbers and some surprisingly melodic and poignant balladry. Well recorded with new liner notes from producer Mats Gustafsson, this truly is a resurrected gem.

Price: $18.98