McCoy Tyner – Focal Point – VG++/VG++

Focal Point is a jazz album by the legendary pianist McCoy Tyner, released in 1976 on the Milestone label. It features a septet of talented musicians, including three reed players (Gary Bartz, Joe Ford and Ron Bridgewater) who overdubbed multiple instruments to create a rich and complex sound. The album showcases Tyner’s mastery of modal and quartal harmony, which he developed through his collaborations with John Coltrane, Joe Henderson and Wayne Shorter. The album also explores some exotic influences, such as the use of a dulcimer and tabla on the track “Mode for Dulcimer”, which evokes the sound of an Indian sitar. The album received positive reviews from critics, who praised Tyner’s creativity and versatility.