Albert Ayler - Witches & Devils (Vinyl LP | DE Reissue | 1972)

Albert Ayler – Witches & Devils is a free jazz album by tenor saxophonist Albert Ayler, recorded on February 24, 1964 at Atlantic Studios in New York. The session first came out in Denmark on Debut under the title Spirits and was later issued on Freedom as Witches & Devils. Ayler plays with Norman Howard on trumpet, Sunny Murray on drums and bassists Henry Grimes and Earle Henderson; the title track is played with two basses. This copy is a 1972 German reissue on Freedom/Spiegelei (cat. no. 28 424-0) in a gatefold sleeve.

Pressing details

• Label / Cat. no.: Freedom / Spiegelei 28 424-0
• Format: Vinyl LP, Album, gatefold
• Pressing: German reissue
• Country: Germany
• Year of this pressing: 1972 (recorded 1964)
• Genre: Jazz, Experimental, Free jazz

Condition

• Condition: Second hand
• Media: NM-
• Cover: VG (with damage on the spine)

Graded to Goldmine standard (see Vinyl Grading). The images are our own scans of the actual copy for sale.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Witches And Devils (Albert Ayler)
2. Spirits (Albert Ayler)

Side B

1. Holy Holy (Albert Ayler)
2. Saints (Albert Ayler)

Personnel

Albert Ayler (tenor saxophone), Norman Howard (trumpet), Henry Grimes (bass on Witches And Devils, Spirits, Saints), Earle Henderson (bass on Witches And Devils, Holy Holy), Sunny Murray (drums).

Recorded at Atlantic Studios, New York, February 24, 1964; engineer: Phil Iehle; liner notes: Barry McRae; photography: Valerie Wilmer.

FAQ

Is this the original pressing?
No. The recordings first came out in Denmark under the title Spirits. This record is a 1972 German reissue on Freedom/Spiegelei in a gatefold sleeve.

Does Don Ayler play on the record?
No. The trumpet is played by Norman Howard. Ayler's brother Don only joined his groups later. According to someone from Ayler's circle the title track was even written by Howard, though the record credits Ayler.

What does Media NM- / Cover VG mean?
NM- (Near Mint minus) for the record means close to new with at most minimal signs of use. VG (Very Good) for the sleeve means clear signs of use; here the spine is damaged. All grades are explained on our Vinyl Grading page.

Do you have more Albert Ayler records?
Yes, for example Albert Ayler – Nuits De La Fondation Maeght Volume 1. More titles are in our Jazz collection.