El Espíritu de la Colmena The Spirit of The Beehive (1973) Víctor Erice, Fernando Fernán Gómez, Teresa Gimpera, Ana Torrent, Drama, Fantasy

There are no weak McCoy Tyner albums and this relative obscurity is better than average. The great pianist is heard with an all-star nonet that includes Hubert Laws on flute, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, altoist Paquito d'Rivera, Chico Freeman on tenor, and trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, plus a seven-piece string section. The music (five Tyner originals) is highly rhythmic and generally quite stimulating. A strong effort.

Outstanding trumpet player Gabriele Cassone and harpsichordist Antonio Frigé are the fine interpreters of these works, full of brio and of savoury descriptive writing à la français. The use of the trumpet reveals itself very suitable for some pieces, particularly those of the Cinquième Concert, entitled La Guerre (hence the CD title), whose martial features indeed seem to call for such an instrument. The interpretation of the "Pian & Forte" ensemble, with its full and brilliant sound produced by six Baroque trumpets, strings and timpani, contributes to attain the martial spirit of these late 17th-century compositions.