Afro Blue

This compilation draws its material from five albums that McCoy Tyner recorded for the Telarc label from 1999 to 2004, and finds the legendary pianist in a number of different settings. “Blue Bossa” and “Afro Blue” feature a hot nine-piece band playing Latin-flavored jazz. The latter cut, a version of the Mongo Santamaria classic that John Coltrane once put his inimitable stamp on, is twelve minutes of percussion-driven joy. Two of its pleasures are trombonist Steve Turre’s intriguing seashell playing and Gary Bartz’s piquant tone on soprano saxophone. Bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Al Foster comprise the rhythm section on the album's two piano trio outings, “Carriba” and “The Night Has a Thousand Eyes,” the latter of which includes an exciting drum solo by Foster. “If I Were a Bell,” the Frank Loesser chestnut, gets a light, swinging reading by a quartet that includes vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, bassist Charnett Moffett, and drummer Eric Harland. Tyner’s distinctive touch on the keyboard is apparent throughout, and he goes it alone on “You Taught My Heart to Sing” and “Summertime.” If you’re tired of the Gershwin tune, you should listen to this rendition: Tyner brings a meditative mood to the warhorse that makes the song new again.