Mccoy Tyner : Blue Bossa

McCoy Tyner's CD for the budget label LRC finds his regular trio of the time (bassist Avery Sharpe and drummer Aaron Scott) augmented by percussionist Raphael Cruz and trumpeter/fluegelhornist Claudio Roditi on most of the tracks. Unfortunately, Cruz proves to be more of an unnecessary distraction, marring an otherwise potent take of 'Blue Bossa' and adding little to Tyner's hard driving 'Rotunda.' Roditi is a better fit with Tyner's group, especially on the lyrical arrangement of 'We'll Be Together Again,' but his two originals are rather lame compared to the remainder of the release. Tyner's trio tackles 'I'll Take Romance' without either one of their guests, with superb results. Three additional tracks from these sessions appeared on the compilation Double Exposure. A later reissue of this CD by Laserlight under the same title omits both Roditi's 'The Natural Bridge' and Tyner's 'Traces.' Although Tyner is in top form throughout, this is not an important release in his considerable discography, but its low price make it worth acquiring. [The 2001 reissue offers two extra songs: 'Natural Bridge' and 'Traces'] ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide