Big BandMosaic Select: McCoy Tyner (MS-025)
Mosaic Select
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"An innovator in the current abstract/modal style, McCoy can play with dazzling speed and power and then temper his fiery brilliance with his own brand of lyricism." - Billy Taylor, original liner notes Cosmos |
This set covers the last two years of McCoy Tyner's tenure with Blue Note, beginning with the pianist's Expansions, the first album on which his own identity as a leader-composer-pianist came ringing through.
With Woody Shaw, Gary Bartz, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter (on cello), Herbie Lewis and Freddie Waits, he fashioned a new sound, inspired by, but not mimicking his work with the John Coltrane Quartet. McCoy blended modality, Eastern music, African elements and spirituality into a music that was unmistakably his own.
Unfortunately neither this album nor its extraordinary follow-up Extensions with Bartz, Shorter, Alice Coltrane (on harp), Carter and Elvin Jones received the recognition they deserved at the time. So three more superb dates sat in the vaults Asante, with Andrew White, Ted Dunbar, Buster Williams, Billy Hart and Mtume was issued in 1974. The rest of the music on this set was finally issued on the 1976 double album Cosmos. One session features a sextet with Bartz, White and Hubert Laws; the other is a magnificent date which adds two reeds and string quartet to Tyner's trio and includes the first version of "Song For My Lady."
In 1972, McCoy signed with the Milestone label and gradually his fortunes began to change. McCoy's new sound had found a receptive audience; record sales increased and McCoy was able to keep a band together and working. By the late seventies, he was one of the most popular and best-paid acoustic jazz artists in the world. The music in this set, five brilliant, innovative sessions over a 25-month period, represents the seeds of that success.
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Pleasing jazz music |
| This collection is an outstanding compilation of McCoy's work. I recommend checking out one of his earlier albums "Inception." http://thecelebritycafe.com/cd/full_review/13880.html | |
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Song For My Lady |
| This song alone warrants a full "5 Notes" -- so beautiful. I love the sessions with strings and the lovely harp work by Alice Coltrane. | |
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Mostly enjoyable |
| If you are a McCoy Tyner fan, you will enjoy most of the music on these three CDs. If you are new to McCoy Tyner, this is not the place to start. Less than 5-stars for me, due to not entirely successful "artistic add-ons": cello by Carter, strings, flute, harp, even some (mostly wordless) vocals. Not surprising that only half of this was issued when recorded. Once again, the basics - Piano, saxophones, trumpets - work best, excellent, enjoyable. | |
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Absolutely beautiful |
| I was expecting these albums to be good, to be interesting, and maybe to be a little flawed. But this entire set is simply exceptional. So much good playing, so many great compositions. Even tricky propositions like strings and the harp work wonderfully here. Any jazz fan with open ears will dig this stuff, and for fans of the Hill/Hutcherson/Moncur side of Blue Note, this set is a must. Why did I wait so long to hear these sides? | |
Mosaic Select: McCoy Tyner (MS-025)
Limited Edition: 5000 copies
3 CDs - $44.00
