About

A legend of the tenor saxophone, Stanley Turrentine was renowned for his distinctively thick, rippling tone, an earthy grounding in the blues, and his ability to work a groove with soul and imagination. Turrentine recorded in a wide variety of settings, but was best-known for his Blue Note soul-jazz jams of the '60s, and also underwent a popular fusion makeover in the early '70s. Born in Pittsburgh on April 5, 1934, Turrentine began his career playing with various blues and R&B bands, with a strong influence from Illinois Jacquet. He played in Lowell Fulson's band with Ray Charles from 1950-1951, and in 1953, he replaced John Coltrane in Earl Bostic's early R&B/jazz band. After a mid-'50s stint in the military, Turrentine joined Max Roach's band and subsequently met organist Shirley Scott, whom he married in 1960 and would record with frequently.

What happens when you combine him with Les McCann’s soulful and funky piano? You end up with one of both men's best albums, an album considered to be one of the foundational sessions of soul jazz. Turrentine and McCann are joined by bassist Herbie Lewis (a member of McCann’s group at the time) and drummer Otis “Candy” Finch. Stand out tracks include “Smile, Stacey,” the deep blue groove of “Soft Pedal Blues” and the in-the-pocket soul of “Light Blue.” — (via Blue Note)

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Label: Blue Note
Series: Blue Note Tone Poet Series
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Gatefold, 180g
Country: Worldwide
Reissued: Sep 11, 2020 / Original Release: 1962
Genre: Jazz
Style: Hard Bop
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File under: Jazz / Blue Note Tone Poet Series