McCoy Tyner - Atlantis (1974) {2CD Milestone Japanese Issue VDJ-25031~32}

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McCoy Tyner - Atlantis (1974) {2CD Milestone Japanese Issue VDJ-25031~32}

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McCoy Tyner - Atlantis (1974) {2CD Milestone Japanese Issue VDJ-25031~32}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 481 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 190 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 34 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1974, 1989 Milestone / Victor Japan | VDJ-25031~32
Jazz / Post Bop / Piano / Saxophone

One of a series of terrific albums he made for Milestone in the '70s. This is a 2xCD Japanese issue that mirrors the original 2xLP release on vinyl. Does it sound better than the later single CD remaster?…..who knows! Pianist McCoy Tyner's 1974 quintet consisted of the talented youngster Azar Lawrence on tenor and soprano, bassist Joony Booth, drummer Wilby Fletcher and percussionist Guilherme Franco. As is accurately stated in the new liner notes by Neil Tesser, Atlantis was the final recording from Tyner's last band to be based on the music of his former boss, John Coltrane.

While Lawrence (who was only 20 at the time) derived his style partly from aspects of Coltrane and the rhythm section is fiery, Tyner creates some very powerful and highly original solos, really tearing into some of the more extended pieces. Recorded live at San Francisco's legendary Keystone Korner, this set has four of Tyner's modal originals played by the full group, a rendition of "My One and Only Love" performed by the leader, Lawrence and Franco as a trio, and a solo piano version of "In a Sentimental Mood." Essential music that still sounds fresh and adventurous.

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McCoy Tyner - Atlantis (1974) {2CD Milestone Japanese Issue VDJ-25031~32}

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This set of performances was taken from a live appearance in San Francisco. Tyner's band for this outing includes Wilby Fletcher (drums) Jooney Booth (bass - Booth was a Pharoah Sanders and Alice Coltrane alumni by the way) Azar Lawrence (tenor and soprano saxes - Lawrence is fantastic on both horns!) Guilherme Franco (percussion). I'm calling it fusion because for the most part the ensemble tracks don't swing particularly hard. In fact, apart from the piece titled Pursuit it hardly swings at all, it's more of a driving beat under ostinato bass lines. Pursuit absolutely recalls the music of Coltrane classic quartet circ 1965. It sounds like Elvin Jones sitting behind the traps. The rest of the ensemble work is very much like Extensions - another superb release from Tyner. Azar Lawrence (Miles Davis Dark Magus) more than holds his own on tenor sax. It's interesting to note that both Lawrence and Gary Bartz worked with Miles Davis and McCoy Tyner throughout the 70's. The ensemble pieces are very energetic, soulful yet almost fusion-like in their delivery - but it's all acoustic music of course. The ensemble pieces are filled with great percussion and polyrhythmic drumming. The bass playing is mostly ostinato patterns… he only gets to stretch out in a couple of places but that's ok, he basically functions to anchor everyone else's flights of improvisation bliss. Speaking of bliss, Tyner finds his repeatedly throughout the session, his playing ranges from tender to furious.

The set includes 2 lengthy virtuoso performances by Tyner - In a Sentimental Mood (solo) and My One and Only Love (duet with Lawrence). The duet is particularly beautiful and heartfelt. It reminds one of the later period work that Trane did with Alice Coltrane to a certain degree. It swells with beauty much like the waves on the ocean. Tyner periodically recalls the melody and then tears off on incredibly fast somewhat atonal finger work across the full range of the keyboard. My One and Only Love is absolutely gorgeous stuff and on its own is worth the price of the CD. Beautiful. I'm listening to that track as I write this review.

If you are looking for a good release from Tyner's peak years at Milestone Records then this is a good one to own.

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McCoy Tyner - Atlantis (1974) {2CD Milestone Japanese Issue VDJ-25031~32}

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McCoy Tyner - Atlantis (1974) {2CD Milestone Japanese Issue VDJ-25031~32}

Close

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McCoy Tyner - Atlantis (1974) {2CD Milestone Japanese Issue VDJ-25031~32}

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McCoy Tyner - Atlantis (1974) {2CD Milestone Japanese Issue VDJ-25031~32}

Close