McCoy Tyner - Atlantis (partial) [Atlantis] 1974

McCoy Tyner - Atlantis (partial) [Atlantis] 1974

This is the single-CD reissue of all of the music from a former two-LP set. 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. ~ Scott Yanow

Recorded in August and September 1974.

Personnel
McCoy Tyner: piano, percussion
Azar Lawrence: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
Joony Booth: bass
Wilby Fletcher: drums
Guilherme Franco: percussion

"Atlantis" 17:59

Scott Yanow, writing for Allmusic, notes that "Tyner creates some very powerful and highly original solos, really tearing into some of the more extended pieces... Essential music that still sounds fresh and adventurous".

Richard Cook and Brian Morton, authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz, opine that the both Enlightenment and Atlantis are "two huge, sprawling concert recordings which will drain most listeners: Tyner's piano outpourings seem unstoppable, and Lawrence comes on as an even fierier spirit than Fortune, even if both are in thrall to Coltrane."