ROOM WITH A VIEW of the blues..... McCoy Tyner "Illuminations" Telarc Records This stuff is so good I just don't know where to begin. McCoy Tyner played piano with John Coltrane; Gary Bartz, saxophone, apprenticed with Max Roach and Art Blakey; Terence Blanchard, trumpet, replaced Wynton Marsalis in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers; Christian McBride, bass, played with Roy Hargrove and Freddy Hubbard among others; Louis Nash was Betty Carter’s drummer and played with everyone from Sonny Rollins to Cyrus Chestnut. And so this allstar unit just dazzles. “Illuminations”, begins with a short drum introduction and then Terrence Blanchard takes off on a terrific trumpet solo. This composition and the next two written by McCoy Tyner are full of dynamics. “Angelina” has a Latin flavor; once again Terrence Blanchard, trumpet, and Louis Nash, drums, shine. The third track features McCoy Tyner’s piano and it is my favorite in that they get into the groove on “New Orleans Stomp”. Harold Arlen’s classic “Come Rain or Come Shine” showcases McCoy Tyner’s piano style. Creative but always staying within the context of the band he is never excessive. I once saw Christian McBride at a “Spirituals in Jazz” concert and think of him as being at the very top of his profession, his bass solo here confirms my opinion. Gary Bartz contributes his composition “Soulstice”; and then Terrence Blanchard follows with one of his, “Blessings”. “If I Should Loose You” combines terrific sax and piano. Christian McBride’s composition “West Philly Tone Poem” is also included here and it is a soft combination of the “bowed” bass and McCoy’s piano. This album enables one not only to become more acquainted with McCoy Tyner, but also with his illustrious cohorts. Richard Ludmerer Director, NY Blues & Jazz Society ricdale2@yahoo.com