Finally it has arrived: that other great Revenant box set. I baulked at paying £100 for this on release in 2004 but found myself unable to resist when Cargo dropped the price to a mere £40 last month. The Charley Patton box arrived within a couple of days, but the ten discs and assorted paraphernalia which makes up the Albert Ayler Holy Ghost (“Trane was the father. Pharoah was the son. I was the holy ghost”) set seemed to take an eternity to arrive. Worth the wait, no doubt.

Well, I’m only just beginning to absorb the contents of this precious black box; it may take me a while yet. From his early days in the army and playing standards (Ayler blowing on a version of “Summertime”!) through his love cry at Coltrane’s funeral, right up to his variably-received (well, I like them) attempts at crossing over in later years, the whole career is documented and supplemented with biographical detail, photos and historical shrapnel. Oh, and a pressed flower. Spirits, rejoice!

Holy Ghost is vailable now from Cargo.

Herbert Katz Quintet with Albert Ayler “Summertime”

Albert Ayler “Truth Is Marching In”

Albert Ayler “Untitled Blues”