JAZZBO NOTES ESSENTIAL RECORDING
Rating: 
The last of the great Milestone releases, The 13nth House stands as possibly the most successful big band album McCoy Tyner has yet attempted. All of the tunes are wonderful, written and performed in the signature modal style Tyner developed and perfected throughout the Milestone years.
McCoy’s orchestrations, although lush, never feel heavy or claustrophobic, unlike those on Atlantis, an earlier attempt at big band writing. He also make maximal use of the various orchestral timbres available to him. There is plenty of variety in McCoy’s writing on this release.
Pianistically, Tyner was at the height of his powers. He was also smart enough to enlist a ace rhythm section consisting of Ron Carter (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums), and not one, but two legendary percussionists, Airto Moreira and Dom Um Romao for what feels like his going away party from the Milestone label.
Although Tyner is predictably stunning in his solo spots, there aren’t any slackers. Hubert Laws contributes a lyrical and powerful solo on the opener Short Suite. Joe Ford is also noteworthy.
Due in part to the fantastic band, but also the transparent production of Orrin Keepnews, the music all but joyfully leaps out of the speakers.
No matter how many McCoy Tyner releases you might have, you need this one.
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