McCoy Tyner - Cosmos

All Music Guide

The music on this double-Lp was unreleased when the twofer came out in 1976 and has yet to be reissued on CD but that had more to do with the decline of Blue Note in the late 1960's than with the quality of the performances which are consistently high. In fact the impressive variety makes this a release well worth bidding on. The innovative pianist McCoy Tyner performs two numbers with his 1969 trio (comprised of bassist Herbie Lewis and drummer Freddie Waits); three other songs add Harold Vick's soprano, the reeds of Al Gibbons and a string quartet while the three remaining pieces feature the trio with altoist Gary Bartz, flutist Hubert Laws and the oboe of Andrew White. All of the compositions (best-known is "Song For My Lady") are Tyner originals and the music is consistently intriguing.

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide