About

Pianist McCoy Tyner had been increasingly looking to Mother Africa for inspiration on his Blue Note recordings of the late-1960s on pieces like “African Village” and “Message from the Nile.” With his 1970 album Asante, Tyner brought those influences to the fore with a powerful set rooted in the swirling percussive rhythmic bed laid by drummer Billy Hart and percussionist Mtume. Bassist Buster Williams, guitarist Ted Dunbar, and alto saxophonist Andrew White make up the rest of the extraordinary ensemble on this four-song set that also includes the ethereal vocals of Songai on the extended album opener “Malika” and the title track. While elements of the modal jazz that Tyner pioneered in the John Coltrane Quartet course through the album, most prominently on the kinetic closing track “Fulfillment,” the music here also pointed towards future creative directions that Tyner would explore. — (via Label)

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The final McCoy Tyner Blue Note album found the innovative pianist during a low point in his career. His records were not selling that well, his mentor John Coltrane had passed away three years earlier, and it was not obvious that Tyner would be able to continue struggling successfully to make a living out of music. Fortunately, his fortunes would soon rise when he signed with Milestone in 1972 and the critics began to rediscover him. Asante is a bit unusual, for the emphasis is on group interplay rather than individual solos. The four originals feature Tyner with altoist Andrew White, guitarist Ted Dunbar, bassist Buster Williams, drummer Billy Hart, Mtume on congas, and two spots for the voice of Songai. Worth investigating. — (via AllMusic)

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About the Blue Note Tone Poet Series:

The Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series was born out of Blue Note President Don Was’ admiration for the exceptional audiophile Blue Note LP reissues presented by Music Matters. Was brought Joe Harley, a.k.a. the “Tone Poet,” on board to curate and supervise a series of reissues from the Blue Note family of labels.

Extreme attention to detail has been paid to getting these right in every conceivable way, from the jacket graphics and printing quality to superior LP mastering (direct from the master tapes) by Kevin Gray to superb 180g audiophile LP pressings by Record Technology Inc. Every aspect of these Tone Poet releases is done to the highest possible standard. It means that you will never find a superior version. This is IT.

This stereo Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at Record Technology Inc. (RTI), and packaged in a deluxe tip-on jacket.

Vinyl Tracklist
A1 Malika
A2 Asante
B1 Goin' Home
B2 Fulfillment

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Label: Blue Note
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, 180 Gram
Reissued: 2026 / Originally Released: 1974
Genre: Jazz
Style: Post Bop, Spiritual Jazz

File under: Blue Note Tone Poet
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