BeatCaffeine’s 10 Essential McCoy Tyner Albums
On March 6th, we sadly lost innovative composer, bandleader and pianist McCoy Tyner. For over 60 years, he has been one of the greatest jazz artists of our time, beginning in the sixties with his longtime stint in John Coltrane’s legendary quartet with Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones, as well as his time leading his own groups featuring jazz greats like Bobby Hutcherson, Gary Bartz, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter and many others.
To celebrate his enduring legacy and influence, here are BeatCaffeine’s top 10 most essential McCoy Tyner recordings as a bandleader (even though we recommend just about every album by the jazz legend).
During these challenging times in the world, this is certainly the kind of music that can heal us all spiritually. Stay healthy everyone, we will get through this together!
McCoy Tyner Trio — ‘Inception’
(Impulse! / 1962)
While Tyner was holding down the pianist chair in John Coltrane’s legendary quartet, the young rising musician (at the time) released five albums of his own on Impulse! Records in a span of three years (1962-65). Even though this isn’t his most defining period as a bandleader, featuring mostly standards, tributes, and ballads, these recordings showcase a young Tyner still at the earliest stages of defining his own sound. Inception, which is his debut as a leader, is arguably his best recording during this period.
McCoy Tyner — ‘The Real McCoy’
(Blue Note Records / 1967)
Two years removed from his stint with the John Coltrane Quartet and his last Impulse!, McCoy Tyner signed with Blue Note Records in hopes of a fresh start, and a period in which he can define his own sound. That was just the case on The Real McCoy, which is arguably his greatest recording as a leader, and one of the most essential jazz albums of it’s time. Featuring an absolutely legendary cast of musicians, which included saxophonist Joe Henderson, bassist Ron Carter, and fellow Coltrane quartet drummer Elvin Jones, this album is brilliant from start to finish, featuring two of Tyner’s most well-known compositions, “Passion Dance” and “Blues On The Corner.” This recording represents a strong foundational shift in McCoy’s overall approach and sound that’s more percussive and modal.
McCoy Tyner — ‘Tender Moments’
(Blue Note Records / 1968)
As a follow-up to the breakthrough album The Real McCoy, Tyner’s second album for Blue Note features the pianist leading a large ensemble group for the first time. The nine-piece backing group on the album is comprised of trumpeter Lee Morgan, trombonist Julian Priester, altoist James Spaulding, Bennie Maupin on tenor, Bob Northern on French horn, Howard Johnson on tuba, bassist Herbie Lewis, and drummer Joe Chambers. Featuring all original compositions, the album includes a number rhythmic tracks that have an over-arching spiritual vibe including “Man From Tanganyika,” and “Utopia.”
McCoy Tyner — ‘Time For Tyner’
(Blue Note Records / 1969)
For his third Blue Note release, Tyner returned to a smaller quartet setting featuring vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, bassist Herbie Lewis, and drummer Freddie Waits. The true geniuses on this recording is the strong interweaving collaborative sound of Tyner and Hutcherson. The modal gem, features some Afro-jazz textures on tracks “Little Madimba” and “African Village.” Definitely one of the most underrated jazz albums of the late sixties.
McCoy Tyner — ‘Expansions’
(Blue Note Records / 1969)
Featuring a number of incredible tracks like “Vision,” “Peresina,” “Song of Happiness,” and “I Thought I’d Let You Know,” Expansions is one of Tyner complete and defining albums. This brilliant recording nicely blends together modal grooves, and free-wheeling solos with hard-bop rhythms and spiritual tones. Again, Tyner is backed by an all-star cast, this time including tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, alto saxophonist Gary Bartz, trumpeter Woody Shaw, bassist Herbie Lewis, Ron Carter on cello (!!!), and drummer Freddie Waits.
McCoy Tyner — ‘Extensions’
(Blue Note Records / 1972)
This spiritual modal masterpiece interestingly is the only recording that both McCoy Tyner collaborates with his successor in the John Coltrane Quartet, Alice Coltrane, who plays the harp on three tracks including “Message From The Nile.” The album also continues to find Tyner in elite company, also performing alongside alto saxophonist Gary Bartz, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, bassist Ron Carter, and longtime collaborator drummer Elvin Jones. The album is also widely known for it’s National Geographic influenced cover art.
McCoy Tyner — ‘Asante’
(Blue Note Records / 1974)
For his final Blue Note full album release before leaving to join Orrin Keepnews’ Milestone label, Tyner released what might be considered his most Afro-jazz recording in Asante, which builds off his previous album Extensions. Featuring vocals “Songai” Sandra Smith, while also featuring alto saxophonist Andrew White, guitarist Ted Dunbar, bassist Buster Williams, drummer Billy Hart, and Mtume on congas, this four-track recording is a blend of spiritual and modal jazz melodies, with African-influenced rhythms and textures.
McCoy Tyner — ‘Sama Layuca’
(Milestone / 1974)
Even though McCoy Tyner found his signature sound while recording for Blue Note Records during the late sixties and early seventies, the composer/pianist was able to expand upon that sound with his recordings for Keepnews’ Milestone. This exploration can truly be heard on his 1974 Sama Layuca album, incorporating the African percussive influences and the spiritual modal grooves that made records like The Real McCoy, Time For Tyner, and Extensions essential classics. This recording also see’s Tyner reunited with longtime collaborators vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, while also featuring an impressive cast of musicians that includes alto saxophonist Gary Bartz, tenor and soprano saxophonist Azar Lawrence, John Stubblefield doubling on oboe and flute, bassist Buster Williams, drummer Billy Hart and both Mtume and Guillerme Franco on percussion. Strata-East collectors and fans, should definitely check out this recording!
McCoy Tyner — ‘Fly With The Wind’
(Milestone / 1976)
Tyner’s ninth recording for Milestone, represented his first album featuring orchestrated strings, and also includes one of his most signature compositions in the title track “Fly With The Wind” (a song that Tyner would common include in the majority of his live sets). The strings blend nicely with McCoy’s playing, adding spiritual-like textures without being over baring. The album also featuring jazz great Ron Carter on bass, flautist Hubert Laws, and fusion innovator Billy Cobham on drums.
McCoy Tyner — ‘Cosmos’
(Blue Note Records / 1976)
The double LP represents two previously unreleased sessions that the pianist recorded for Blue Note in April of 1969, and July of 1970. Even though these recordings did not come out the time, the music on this expansive album features a number of Tyner’s best compositions including “Song For My Lady,” “Hope,” “Planet X,” “Forbidden Land,” and the title track “Cosmos”. Recorded around the time that he was coming into his own with Blue Note, this is an absolutely essential record for any McCoy Tyner fan.
PLAYLIST: BeatCaffeine’s 30 Essential McCoy Tyner Songs
We explore the late great jazz legend McCoy Tyner’s greatest recordings as a bandleader.
