In the recordings that pianist McCoy Tyner made for the Blue Note label in the late 1960s, he had already been inspired by African music in some of his pieces. On the album "Asante", recorded in September 1970, Tyner brought these influences to the fore in four self-penned compositions with an extraordinary new band. The singer Songai Sandra Smith can be heard as a guest on two tracks with her ethereal voice. The album was not released by Blue Note until 1974, after McCoy Tyner had already released a series of very successful albums on his new label Milestone.

Blue Note Tone Poet Edition: Stereo, produced by Joe Harley, completely analog remastered by Kevin Gray from the original tapes, RTI pressing (180g), sturdy tip-on single sleeve, padded inner sleeve.