McCoy Tyner - The Latin All-Stars
Year: 1999
Label: Telarc Jazz (Direct Stream Digital)
Bitrate: 320 kbps

McCoy Tyner's percussive piano style has always worked well within an Afro-Cuban groove, and this recording provides an excellent setting for him and his all-star lineup to work in. Mixing genre classics like "Afro Blue" and "Poinciana" with original material, Tyner's first release for the Telarc label provides a completely satisfying, highly rhythmic experience. Regular bassist Avery Sharpe combines with a three-man percussion section to propel the group's extended explorations. Besides the leader's instantly recognizable pianistic flurries and fat, two-handed chords, the front-line foursome of flute whiz Dave Valentin, saxophonist Gary Bartz, trumpeter Claudio Roditi and bone-and-shell man Steve Turre is superb, both in ensemble passages and individual solo spots. In the course of his long career, McCoy Tyner has recorded in nearly every conceivable setting. Though many of his solo, trio and quartet dates are superb, his expansive style has often been most enjoyably showcased in the company of multiple horns. From the rollicking opener "Festival in Bahia," to the beautiful "A Song for Love," to the straightforward timbale-driven Latin groove of "We Are Our Father's Sons," McCoy Tyner & the Latin All-Stars makes a potent case for inclusion in the upper tier of Tyner's catalog. ~ Jim Newsom, AMG

Personnel:
McCoy Tyner (Piano)
Johnny Almendra (Timbales)
Gary Bartz (Saxophones)
Ignacio Berroa (Drums)
Giovanni Hidalgo (Percussion)
Caludio Roditi (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
Avery Sharpe (Double Bass)
Steve Turre (Trombone and Shells)
Dave Valentin (Flute)

Tracks:
01 Festival in Bahia -McCoy Tyner 11:02
02 Poinciana -Nat Sim-on_Buddy Bernier 6:59
03 Afro Blue -Mongo Santamaria 12:23
04 A Song for Love -McCoy Tyner 10:34
05 La Habana Sol -McCoy Tyner 8:36
06 We Are Our Father's Sons -Avery Sharpe 5:24
07 Blue Bossa -Kenny Dorham 6:50

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