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Piano master McCoy Tyner's latest release, 13th House, is a truly unusual recording that
deserves
particular attention. Mr. Tyner's scintillating, rapid fire eighth notes in the right hand, the
subterranean rumbles from the piano's lower register, and of course, the thundering chords that
have made his sound instantly recognizable to generations of admirers are all here in abundance.
That's enough to warrant interest all by itself. But 13th House places Mr. Tyner in a large ensemble
setting, playing modal compositions typically associated with smaller units.
13th House has an intriguing ensemble sound, made all the more so by the fact that the
recording was done in 1980. The liner notes do not explain how a recording by a musician of Mr.
Tyner's stature stayed out of circulation for 23 years, and deadline pressures precluded further
inquiry. In any event, the band sounds like a ‘80s vintage big band. Although a few choices might
be made differently today, it is hardly a criticism that the recording sounds like it was done when it
was.
The accomplished supporting players bring off both demanding ensemble passages and solos
in an organic, integrated way that gives 13th House a
consistent, atmospheric quality. The liner notes single out the underappreciated trumpeter Kamau
Muata Adilifu (Charles Sullivan) and saxophonist Joe Ford for special mention, and deservedly so.
That said, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Jack DeJohnette and
percussionists Airto and Dom Um Romão are particularly
responsible for the terrific energy that runs through 13th House. The percussion work on
"Love Samba" is astonishing.
Confirmed McCoy Tyner fans and big band
devotees will gravitate toward 13th House on general principle, but others will certainly find
this recording interesting and worthy on its own terms.
Note: this review originally appeared in All About Jazz: New
York.
~ Steven Robinson
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Track Listing: 1. Short Suite (Tyner) - 7:46
2. 13th House (Heath) - 5:58
3. Search for Peace (Tyner) - 7:33
4. Love Samba (Tyner) - 8:38
5. Leo Rising (Foster) - 9:13
Personnel: Daniel Ponce - Percussion
Marcus Belgrave - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
John Blake - Violin
Ron Carter - Bass, Soloist
Paquito D'Rivera - Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano)
Jack DeJohnette - Drums, Soloist
Ricky Ford - Reeds, Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor), Wind, Soloist
Chico Freeman - Sax (Tenor)
Slide Hampton - Trombone, Arranger, Soloist
Hubert Laws - Flute, Piccolo, Soloist
Bob Stewart - Tuba
Avery Sharpe - Bass
Airto Moreira - Percussion, Conga, Soloist
McCoy Tyner - Piano, Arranger, Soloist, Remix Supervision
Jonathan Abramowitz - Cello
Kamau Adilifu - Flugelhorn
Oscar Barashear - Trumpet
Julien Barber - Viola
Ignacio Berroa - Drums
Oscar Brashear - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Soloist
Joe Ford - Flute, Reeds, Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano), Wind, Soloist
Frank Foster - Clarinet, Reeds, Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor), Wind, Soloist
Bobby Hutcherson - Marimba, Vibraphone
Harold Kohon - Violin
Jesse Levine - Viola
Karen Milne - Violin
Kermit Moore - Cello
Dom Um Romao - Percussion, Conga
Elliott Rosoff - Violin
Greg Williams - French Horn
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