The Real McCoy - McCoy Tyner (1977) (1LP Vinyl, Japan) - Near Mint (NM)

Condition: Used

Media Condition: Near Mint (NM)

Sleeve Condition: Near Mint (NM)

Condition Notes:

The Real McCoy by McCoy Tyner.

Recorded on April 21, 1967, "The Real McCoy" captures McCoy Tyner at a pivotal moment, stepping fully into his own as a leader and composer. Every piece here flows from Tyner's pen, and the album stands as a statement of purpose: a pianist whose thunderous left hand and modal sweep had already reshaped the sound of modern jazz now presenting his own vision, undiluted.

The music opens with "Passion Dance," a surging, incantatory workout that sets the tone for the whole date, before "Contemplation" turns inward with the kind of brooding, spacious lyricism that became a Tyner signature. Side B moves through the muscular "Four By Five," the aching balladry of "Search For Peace," and closes with "Blues On The Corner," a reminder that for all his harmonic ambition, Tyner never strayed far from the roots.

The band assembled for the session is formidable. Joe Henderson brings his questing, muscular tenor saxophone, weaving through Tyner's harmonies with both fire and finesse. Ron Carter anchors the proceedings on bass, and Elvin Jones brings his volcanic, endlessly polyrhythmic drumming, a partnership with Tyner forged in years of shared bandstands. Together they generate the tension and release that make this music feel alive at every turn.

As with the finest recordings of the era, the craftsmanship behind the scenes is impeccable. Rudy Van Gelder engineered the session, capturing the group with the clarity and warmth that made his studio legendary. Alfred Lion produced, Francis Wolff supplied the cover photography, and Reid Miles handled the cover design, the trio of talents responsible for the unmistakable look and feel of Blue Note. Liner notes come from both Nat Hentoff and Masahiko Yuh.

This particular pressing is a 1977 King Records release from Japan, issued as part of the coveted Immortal Masterpiece Selection series. King produced this line to celebrate acquiring the contract to distribute Blue Note materials in Japan, selecting around twenty famous titles and releasing them in limited numbers. It arrived prior to the better known 1978 "Blue Note Masterpiece Selection 150" series, making these early Immortal Masterpiece pressings especially sought after by collectors.

The package is rounded out by two LP-cover sized inserts that make this edition a genuine document of its moment. The first is a Blue Note Records alphabetical artist listing, printed on both sides, offering a snapshot of the catalog King brought to Japanese audiences. The second presents the track list in both English and Japanese, along with additional information printed in Japanese. For the collector who prizes both the music and the story of how it traveled the world, this is a rewarding find.

Pressing Details:
Track Listing:
A1. Passion Dance
A2. Contemplation
B1. Four By Five
B2. Search For Peace
B3. Blues On The Corner

Credits:
Ron Carter - Bass
Reid Miles - Design [Cover Design]
Elvin Jones - Drums
Rudy Van Gelder - Engineer
Masahiko Yuh - Liner Notes
Nat Hentoff - Liner Notes
Francis Wolff - Photography By [Cover Photo]
McCoy Tyner - Piano, Written-By
Alfred Lion - Producer
Joe Henderson - Tenor Saxophone

Notes:
Recorded on April 21, 1967.

1977 [l1622945] (Immortal Masterpiece Selection) Series, Limited Edition, by King Records

This series was released to celebrate that King acquired the contract to distribute Blue Note materials in Japan. As much as 20 famous titles are selected and released in limited numbers only, prior to the 1978 "Blue Note Masterpiece Selection 150" series.

Incl. 2 LP-cover sized inserts:
1. BLUE NOTE RECORDS alpahabetical artist listing (printed on both sides)
2. a track-list in English and Japanese plus infos in Japanese (printed on one side)

Artist: McCoy Tyner

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: Blue Note

Catalog Number: GXF 3008

Release Year: 1977

Country: Japan