McCoy Tyner – Inception LP (Acoustic Sounds Series)

McCoy Tyner – Inception LP (Acoustic Sounds Series)

Those familiar with the atmospherically dense percussion style cultivated by pianist McCoy Tyner since the 1970s may be surprised by what they hear on "Inception". Like "Reaching Fourth" and "Nights Of Ballads And Blues", this album gives an impression of the very young Tyner, outside the confines of the classic John Coltrane quartet of the early 60s; it reveals a lyrical approach to jazz piano that seems far removed from the later Tyner style. The selection is made up of roughly equal parts modal pieces like "Inception" and more harmonic compositions like "Speak Low"; the way the pianist interprets both pieces shows the extent to which his early work was rooted in bebop. Tyner had to develop the massive orchestral sound and distinctive expression with modal little improvisations that characterize his later style; throughout the album he spins disconcertingly long sounding lines of an exquisitely light nature. The irresistibly propulsive urgency he maintains throughout on tracks like "Effendi" and "Blues For Gwen" is breathtaking, and there's an exuberant, almost muscular quality to much of Tyner's solo work. Bassist Art Davis and drummer Elvin Jones provide superb accompaniment throughout, laying a solid rhythmic foundation beneath Tyner's sparkling melodic flights of fancy. The pianist's penchant for drama, which becomes even more prevalent in his later work, is briefly revealed in the balladic original composition "Sunset"; his skills as an arranger, although evident on several tracks, are perhaps best recognized in the difficult counterpoint movement in "There Is No Greater Love".

When pianist McCoy Tyner recorded his debut album for Impulse! Records label in November 1962, he wanted to make his own musical statement and set himself apart from the modal music he was playing with John Coltrane at the time. During the recording sessions with bassist Art Davis and drummer Elvin Jones - both colleagues from the Coltrane ensemble - he therefore focused primarily on his own compositions, in which he placed his unmistakable voicings, organ points and rhythmic drive in the foreground.

Verve Acoustic Sounds series: completely analog mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound from the original tapes, QPR pressing (180 g), sturdy tip-on gatefold (Stoughton Printing), padded inner sleeve

Tracklist:
Side A:
1. Inception
2. There Is No Greater Love
3. Blues For Gwen

Side B:
1. Sunset
2. Effendi
3. Speak Low

Label: Verve
Released: 1962/2026