This reissue of two of Albert Ayler's later period albums for Impulse! crams together on one disc his most inspired and revolutionary music. For many Ayler's use of unorthodox instrumentation such as harpsichord, electric guitar, violin and bagpipes to enhance his already apocalyptic free form blasts of energy music was a step too far, but for Ayler such explorations were necessary in the development of his art. Love Cry is (as its title suggests) an emotional burst of raw power that was formed in the wake of John Coltrane's funeral service in 1967, where Ayler had been invited to play as part of the ceremony. Backed by a band that included his brother Donald on trumpet and a stellar cast of free jazz musicians, Love Cry is a poignant and powerful work with re-workings of such Ayler standards as ‘Bells’ and ‘Ghosts’ gliding against new pieces like ‘Zion Hill’ and the cavalry charge climax of ‘Universal Indians’. Released posthumously in 1971, The Last Album opens up with an incredible duet between former Canned Heat guitarist Henry Vestine on electric guitar and Ayler playing bagpipes that sets the stage for what remains his most uneven, yet totally fascinating set to date. With vocals by his widow Mary Parks (whose name replaces Ayler's as sole composer for many of the tracks) interweaved throughout the set – more dominantly on ‘Again Come The Raising Of The Sun’ and joining her husband on ‘Desert Blood’ – The Last Album feels as though it was part of a larger work that, unfortunately due to Ayler's untimely death, was never completed.