Customer Reviews

Together

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I consider this to be a sensational album: you only need to look at the line-up (Tyner,Laws, Maupin, Hubbard, Hutcherson, Summers, and Stanley Clarke)to know that you're in for a treat, and they gell together brilliantly, so the album title is apt. Indeed, Laws, Hutcherson and Hubbard chip in with catchy compositions that show off their strengths, and all of the tunes are instantly memorable.

The dynamism starts straight away with "Nubia", a track that immediately demands attention with its explosive theme. "Shades of Light" is a classy tune by Hubert Laws, and is followed by "Bayou Fever"-the most free-spirited track of the album.
"One of another Kind" is a lively tune by Hubbard,whilst "Ballad for Aisha" is a calmer and beautiful melody. Finally, "Highway One" is a composition by Bobby Hutcherson which has a strong synchopated rhythm that is sure to get some folks drumming their fingers on the desk.

I've been a fan of McCoy since I heard him on the Coltrane albums, and I appreciate all his various styles; for instance his quieter ballads, and the experimental stuff (e.g. the Inner voices album), but this has got to be the most vibrant of his works. All of the tunes are memorable,the team play well together and there are strong solos throughout- it doesn't get any better than this.

This is a fine recording and all the tunes are nicely written and arranged. McCoy's contributes his beautiful ballad for his wife Aisha. All the tunes are memorable and will warrant repeated playbacks. The musicians gel throughout and the solos are interesting. Stanley Clarke is better known for his electric bass playing but here he's heard on the upright bass with a wonderful fat tone, which adds a whole other dimension to the recording.