Search - McCoy Tyner :: Leyenda De La Hora

My favorite McCoy Tyner disc

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 05/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"McCoy Tyner certainly needs no introduction to even the most casual jazz fan. Having played with John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, and many other top jazzmen, he continues to be a huge presence on the scene. His percussive style, unusual chord-voicings, and unique concept make him one of the most creative jazz pianist of the post-bop period. And although he casts a long shadow over modern jazz, La Leyenda de la Hora, one of his less-well-know discs, has remained in relative obscurity. Wrongly, in my view.I've heard a lot of the Tyner canon, and this strikes me as his finest effort. Of course, I'm partial to world-jazz, especially of the Latin variety, which is what this is. I'm also partial to this particular album because I first heard it back in 1982 when I was just getting into acoustic jazz, and it completely blew me away, helping to set me on a long and wonderful voyage into the amazing world of acoustic improvised music. But you know what? It's held up as well as any 80's jazz recording that I know of. For one thing, he's at the absolute top of his pianistic powers. For another thing, he seems both freer and more melodic. This music just brings out the best in him.McCoy Tyner and Afro-Cuban jazz are ideally matched. If you don't believe me, just listen to his short solo on "La Habana Sol"--it's percussive, witty, swinging, and succinct--perfect. Plus he does some spectacular comping for the other soloists as well, especially on Hubert Laws' flute solo. Or take "Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit." From the first few opening notes, it strikes this impossibly deep groove, coming as much from Tyner's piano as from the gloriously rich ensemble sound of these top musicians. Then he launches into a brilliantly dancing solo that practically defies believability. A word on the musicians. This is certainly one of the most amazing bands ever assembled. Avery Sharpe, long-time Tyner bassist, excels. Bobby Hutcherson, perhaps the greatest vibes player of his generation, and another favorite Tyner associate, also excels. As does Paquito D'Rivera, who plays some of his best alto sax on record. Marcus Belgrave, a highly underrated trumpeter, shines in this setting, as does Chico Freeman, another underappreciated musician, on tenor sax And it was a stroke of genius to get two of the greatest Latin percussionists on board--Daniel Ponce and Ignacio Berroa. A real surprise is the inclusion of a string section on several of the cuts. Not a move that often works in jazz, here they add uncanny depth and color.Amazingly, this album was out of print for nearly two decades. Originally on Columbia, I thought it would never make it to cd. I couldn't belive they passed it over to release many inferior Tyner discs. But thanks to the wonderful folks at Koch, we now have this treasure on compact disc. Don't miss it!"

Phenomenal set

R. J. Marsella | California | 05/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The term afro-cuban jazz has never more accurately described a set better than it does here with the emphasis on the Jazz element. Mcoy Tyner assembled a tremedous lineup of latin musicians to create a masterpiece. Avery Sharpe's bass lines especially on Walk Spirit Talk Spirit are hard driving and perfectly compliment Tyners extended piano runs. The horns and percussion are all top notch and Bobby Hutcherson's vibes playing is always a treat.
I recently had the chance to see Mccoy Tyner perform in NY and the group he had assembled for the evening included Ravi Coltrane , Pharoah Sanders, Charnet Moffett and Eric Harland. These guys were incredivble but the highlight of a superb set was Walk Spirit Talk Spirit from this CD. Moffet played the bassline in the same manner as Sharpe does here and the groove was unforgettable. I left the club and immediately picked up this CD. While that remains my favorite track the entire set is great."

Masterpiece

AB | Norway | 04/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is the best! (of all CDs, any genre that is) I was inspired to buy it from a 5-min TV appearance, where McCoy Tyner played La Habana Sol. The sounds that emanated from my TV and later my CD, and later my piano are to this day the most innovative I have ever heard. For me, it was like music beeing reinvented. The chords and rythms and everything made perfect sense, but they were like nothing I had heard before (or later)."