What makes Time for Tyner by McCoy Tyner notable?

Time for Tyner received critical acclaim upon release and is often regarded as a significant contribution to the post-bop and ethno-jazz genres. The album's unique blend of jazz with African musical influences helped pave the way for future explorations in world music within jazz, influencing countless artists and movements. Released in 1969, Time for Tyner marked McCoy Tyner's first album as a leader after his groundbreaking tenure with the John Coltrane Quartet. This album followed his previous contributions to Coltrane’s influential works, allowing him to explore new territories in sound and composition while establishing his own artistic identity.

Who is Time for Tyner for?

Time for Tyner works well if you're into steady progression to resolution, rich melodies for deep focus and afternoon exploration with layers.

How many songs are on Time for Tyner?

Time for Tyner has 6 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Time for Tyner

McCoy Tyner · 1969

42 min · 6 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of African rhythms and progressive jazz harmonies that showcases McCoy Tyner's innovative piano techniques.

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Top tracks — play these first

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African Village — This expansive track serves as the album's centerpiece, intertwining complex rhythms with rich melodic lines, embodying Tyner's exploration of cultural themes.
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Little Madimba — The lively energy and intricate piano work in this piece highlight Tyner's ability to merge traditional African sounds with modern jazz sensibilities.
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I Didn’t Know What Time It Was — Tyner's interpretation transforms this standard into a dynamic showcase of improvisation, revealing his unique harmonic approach and rhythmic inventiveness.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

71 /100

Alpine

Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

Innovative compositions and vibrant rhythms make this a standout in jazz, though it dips slightly in cohesion.

What we noticed

The album opens with a strong rhythmic pulse in 'African Village', establishing an African influence that persists throughout.
Each track features extended improvisation, particularly highlighting Tyner's piano work and interaction with the ensemble.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady progression to resolution
rich melodies for deep focus
afternoon exploration with layers
sophisticated rhythms for contemplation

Maybe skip if you

seek instant gratification
prefer standalone tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1969, Time for Tyner marked McCoy Tyner's first album as a leader after his groundbreaking tenure with the John Coltrane Quartet. This album followed his previous contributions to Coltrane’s influential works, allowing him to explore new territories in sound and composition while establishing his own artistic identity.
Stylistic neighbors: Chick Corea· Herbie Hancock· Keith Jarrett