Tender Moments

TENDER MOMENTS, recorded in 1967, was another step forward for this always-evolving, virtuoso pianist. McCoy Tyner assembled an unusual ensemble for the session--in addition to a standard rhythm section and front line of horns (trumpet, trombone, alto and tenor saxophones), he also added French horn, flute, and tuba. Scoring for such a group resulted in new compositional approaches for Tyner, and the music here has a distinct orchestral feel, with shifting tonal colors and a sound that resembles a cross between a classical ensemble and a big band.
Fans of Tyner's work with John Coltrane and smaller outfits might raise an eyebrow at such a large, unconventional group, but they needn't fear--the music is staunchly in the progressive hard-bop vein. The six originals fall somewhere between the exploratory, often modal style Tyner pioneered with Coltrane, the groove-heavy bop of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, and the rich sound paintings of Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus. The experiment works wonderfully from beginning to end, partially due to the incredible personnel (which includes Lee Morgan, James Spaulding, Bennie Maupin, and Joe Chambers), all of who play at the top of their game here.