Customer Reviews

Infinity

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the best matchups of two of the most seminal figures in jazz today. There is no saxophonist alive more worthy of playing alongside the legendary pianist from the John Coltrane Quartet of the 1960s than Michael Brecker. His style is very much influenced by Coltrane's ideas and harmonic innovations but he still manages to have a completely original voice. His playing on this date is up to his usual standard of excellence and truly seems to inspire and push the trio forward. One of the reasons that Tyner and Brecker play extremely well together is that both heavily employ the use of pentatonics. Their styles mesh amazingly well.

The music itself is mostly written by Tyner with a few exceptions including their take on Coltrane's classic Impressions. Brecker truly extends himself on this modal standard but the highlight of the album is the first track, Flying High. Both Brecker and Tyner are in top form and play beautifully with extreme intensity.

This is one of my favorite jazz albums in my collection of over 200. You will not be dissapointed if you buy it.

Also, Avery Sharpe takes one the most amazing bass solos I have ever heard on Thelonious Monk's I Mean You and is truly up to the challenge of playing with such top-notch players.

Besides the fact that Tyner's group on this album is unbelievably tight, Brecker's contribution takes this album over the top. His solo on "Impressions" is worth the cost of the album alone. Rare is the jazz musician who can bring it to the table in the studio the same way he can on stage, but Brecker is that man. The greatest Tenor player around today, blows one of the most amazing recorded solos in a while on that track. Buy this album that solo alone, and you'll be happy.

I HAD to add my review because this is truly a 5 star CD. No need to repeat what's already been said. We have owned this CD for years and have listened to it hundreds of times. It's as exciting now as on the first listening. Of our thousand or so jazz albums this one rates in the top ten.

This is a worthy succesor to any Coltrane recording. Maybe a bit more to the middle of the road but a killer CD never the less. This is some of Breckers best work . Who is a better horn man these days ? I give this recording an enthusiastic 5 stars. People with good stereos will appreciate Rudy VanGelders touch as engineer.

You must get this for the solo on "Impressions"-indescribable.You must get this for impressions.You must get this for impressions.You must get this for impressions.One of the great recordings in jazz history. Brecker's solo is unforgettable.The rest of the recording is delightful. Brecker's solo on "Impressions" is hard to believe.Thank you Mr.B-you left to soon.

A long time McCoy Tyner fan, and a more recent Michael Brecker fan, I figured this album was a good bet, especially with the stellar customer reviews it has earned.

I was not disappointed.


A few things that were noteworthy for me:

1). Incredible virtuosity from Michael Brecker on a number of the songs.

2). Considerable diversity of style in the songs. Happy Days has a substantial R&B influence. Hey, I'm not a big R&B fan, but with McCoy Tyner at the helm, it's a first rate piece of music.

3). All the songs are oustanding, not one of those many jazz albums where there are one or two songs that blow you away and the others you can take or leave.


I don't have a large library of jazz CDs but this one immediately earns a spot among my most favorite.

INFINITY was my first non-John Coltrane recording by McCoy Tyner. It was a pleasant surprise to hear that this man now in the latter stages of life is still kicking it with the best of the jazz world. Tyner has a great supporting cast here. My only complaint is that I find the bass guitar tone to be annoyingly 'tinny' and thin. Where's the meat!? Anyway, these *mostly* long tunes are great explorations of all sorts of emotions and tempos. I love the opening track-ten minutes of music that reminds me of a sunrise on a beautiful fall day. Also, check out the minor melancholy mood of "Mellow Minor" which reminded me of an urban landscape *before* I ever read McCoy's liner notes! Beautiful. "Changes" and "Happy Days" are also wonderfully evocative songs, each in the nine minute range. This is a great album and highly recommended over Tyner's awful Burt Bachrach fling of a few years later.

As has already been stated,the solo Michael Brecker blows on John Coltrane's 'Impressions' is a killer. .This is pianist Mccoy Tyner's cd;Tyner was the pianist with Coltrane on the original 'Impressions' cd.He remains one of the handful of all-time great jazz pianists-and he is as good as he ever was on this cd....Rest in Peace,Michael.

This is a great CD with one exception. Tyner, Brecker and Scott are all at their creative peaks and interpret each song masterfully. But when is Tyner going to get rid of the thin-sounding, creatively bereft "bassist" Avery Sharpe? I've heard they tour together as well, and he's played on other albums with Tyner. Sharpe is not even in Tyner's league! Admittedly, the watery bass lines are a stark contrast to Tyners signature heavy, full accompaniment, but that is no excuse for a wimpy, tiresome bass player. One is tempted to hit the fast forward button every time a bass solo comes along.

Mr. Tyner: You owe it to yourself to audition some new bass players! Mr. Sharpe is a far cry from your days with such greats as Paul Chambers and Reggie Workman.

Enough ranting... the standards on this CD are mind-boggling. "Impressions" rivals the original (which, of course, Tyner also played on), and these guys give an excellent, fresh interpretation of the Monk tune "I Mean You". All of the Tyner originals are equally energetic and exciting.

Overall, a highly recommended album, but bass fans beware!

I had seen McCoy Tyner in concert the night I ordered the CD and I am glad that i did. Jazz fans will love it.