Jack White’s Third Man Records has established itself as a formidable addition to the list of fine reissue labels. Though Third Man most often deals with Jack White’s back catalog and production work, every so often, the label delivers a lost classic by legendary musicians. Such is the case with a pair of new releases – a live set from The Stooges vintage 1970, and a reissue of a beloved if challenging free jazz/soul album by saxophonist Albert Ayler.

New Grass is available now.  The album was a departure for Ayler as he melded his well-respected free jazz style with sounds that evoked the R&B of the days of yore and the funk sound that was just emerging.  New Grass even included vocals from Rose Marie McCoy, The Soul Singers, and Ayler.  As influential in 2020 as it was divisive in its day, the album is deserving of reappraisal.  And now it receives its first LP reissue in 44 years.  Third Man notes in the press release that a limited number of “coke bottle clear vinyl with opaque green wisps” variants will be released for select indie shops across the U.S. and will be available at Third Man’s brick-and-mortar shops.

Third Man is also set to release an album that could rewrite what we thought we knew about the proto-punk group The Stooges.  The band’s legendary Goose Lake concert has reached near mythical status; as the story goes, bassist Dave Alexander had spent the entire show staring blankly, not playing a single note, and was fired shortly thereafter, marking the beginning of the end of the band.  But the new release Live at Goose Lake, August 8th, 1970 proves this wasn’t quite the case.  Sourced from a 1/4″ stereo two-track tape found in a Michigan basement, this “Rosetta Stone” is not only the last performance by the original lineup, but also the only known soundboard-sourced recording of that group.  Here, the band play through all of Fun House, with Alexander on bass.  The album will be released on August 7, nearly a half-century after the legendary show.

Third Man will release the album on CD, vinyl, and digital, and will also press up special editions for certain retailers.  Rough Trade will have a purple vinyl edition, while other independent record shops will have a special cream-colored vinyl configuration wrapped up in a different sleeve.  No matter how you choose to listen, this legendary concert will be a treat for fans.

So get ready to turn back the clock about 50 years with a pair of releases of some of the most influential, if initially challenging, music we’ve heard.  Whether it’s an album that’s helped define the sound of jazz today, or a collection that rewrites the history of one of rock’s greats, Third Man has you covered.  You can find complete track listings and order links below!

Albert Ayler, New Grass (originally Impulse! LP AS 9175, 1969 — reissued Third Man Records LP TMR-638, 2020) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop)

Side 1:

1. Message From Albert/New Grass
2. New Generation
3. Sun Watcher

Side 2:

1. New Ghosts
2. Heart Love
3. Everybody’s Movin’
4. Free At Last

The Stooges, Live At Goose Lake: August 8th, 1970 (Third Man Records TMR-676, 2020)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
Clear LP: Your Local Record Shop
Purple LP: Rough Trade [Pre-orders sold out online, but copies may be available at Rough Trade’s NY and London retail stores]

Side 1:

1. Intro
2. Loose
3. Down on the Street
4. T.V. Eye
5. Dirt

Side 2:

1. 1970 (I Feel Alright)
2. Fun House
3. L.A. Blue

All tracks previously unreleased