Liner Notes

Tyrone Washington ’s 1967 debut Natural Essence introduced a vital new voice in jazz whose unique conception could move between exploratory post-bop to groove-based soul jazz while channeling the charged intensity of the avant-garde. Having emerged from Horace Silver’s Quintet, the tenor saxophonist offered his own calling card on this evocative set of six original compositions. Washington had made his first Blue Note appearance the year prior on Silver’s groovy date The Jody Grind as part of a horn section that also included trumpeter Woody Shaw and alto saxophonist James Spaulding .

Washington would assemble the same frontline for his own leader date along with a versatile rhythm section of pianist Kenny Barron , bassist Reggie Workman , and drummer Joe Chambers . Highlights of the album include the sinuous title track, the plaintive ballad “Yearning For Love,” the propulsive hard-driving swing of “Positive Path,” and the irrepressible groove of “Soul Dance.”