Spirits Rejoice

Spirits Rejoice is a live album by American free jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler recorded in New York City in 1965 and first released on the ESP-Disk label.

[5] Regarding the two-minute track titled "Holy Family", ESP founder Bernard Stollman recalled: As Albert was recording his session at Judson Hall, I asked him whether he would be willing to do a short work.

[6] Writing for All About Jazz, Mark Corroto commented: "When this music was first heard, it angered many 'experts' who couldn't connect the dots between New Orleans and European military bands, spirituals and the naive nature of Ayler's art...

"[3] Ayler biographer Jeff Schwartz called the title track "a long march medley... with harmonies for the three horns and a clearly determined order of themes," and praised "D. C." and "Prophet", noting: "While there is chaotic group improvisation on these tunes, the band also shows incredible tightness by staying perfectly together as they accelerate the composed parts of these pieces."

Schwartz also stated: "Peacock and Grimes collaborate brilliantly throughout this program... On 'D.C.,' the communication between the two of them becomes so tense that the performance is brought from its loud, fast, dense beginning to complete silence during their solos.

a tree felled in a forest so dense there's no room to fall no place to go so you stay cut off and standing... and rotting... any albert ayler record is great when you want to circulate w/ yourself.

the next moment as melodic as sharp yet slick metal teeth..."[10] Canadian artist Stan Douglas, in collaboration with George E. Lewis, created the video installation Hors-champs in 1992.

The installation features Lewis in an improvisation of Ayler's "Spirits Rejoice" with musicians Douglas Ewart, Kent Carter and Oliver Johnson.