Charles Tyler, from Albert Ayler's band, makes a startling statement on his debut solo record. His group, featuring an unusual instrumentation of cello, bass, drums, orchestra vibes, and saxophone, plays through his original compositions and showcases some heated solos.
Although primarily known as a baritone sax player, Charles Tyler is featured on alto sax yet his sound and concept are fully evident on this record.
Personnel:
Charles Tyler: alto sax
Charles Moffett: orchestra vibes
Joel Freedman: cello
Henry Grimes: bass
Ronald Shannon Jackson: drums
credits
released January 1, 1966
Indianapolis, IN, February 4, 1966
Press Quotes:
"Alto and baritone saxophonist Charles Tyler, one of the major voices in avant-garde jazz, began playing with Albert Ayler in Cleveland in the early 1960s, and soon followed Ayler east to take part in New York's fertile jazz scene. While continuing to play with Ayler in NYC (appearing on both Bells and Spirits Rejoice), Tyler also began leading his own sessions, and in 1966 ESP-Disk released his fiery debut as front man, the Charles Tyler Ensemble, featuring Charles Moffett on orchestra vibes, Joel Friedman on cello, Henry Grimes on bass and Ronald Shannon Jackson on drums." - Forced Exposure
I have one of the TPings of this genius's work and ît feels like a great honor. I think of Grimes as being more famous with musicians than the general public because of his taste in music. But he is brilliant and worth familiarizing yourself with. Great album start to finish. John Seltenreich
After a precision liftoff in Tabasco and setting a course to travel the space ways from planet to planet, the album peels away through a wormhole just past Saturn in the eponymous track Mayan Space Station to journey through time and space in Canyons of Light. eric F