Album : Stanley Turrentine – The Baddest Turrentine

The Baddest Turrentine was CB’s move towards more traditional jazz and he couldn’t have picked a better record. It was a step away from the jazz/rock and it was the right step.  Right off the bat I get a swinging tune, ‘Sugar’ and ST plays the sax the way CB liked it.  The band lays down the beat and Stanley just plays some real good licks.  I was hooked.  Freddie Hubbard does the same thing on the trumpet and he matches Turrentine’s vibe. George Benson is the third soloist and his guitar sound was a new one for CB. Man did this sound good.  It swings and it’s a little greasy to boot.  CB loved jams and these guys were doing it.  Your toes will be tapping to this one. This was a harder more adult thing.  Striped down and cleaner than the fuller sounding fusion.

‘Salt Song’ had a Latin feel. They’re was even some strings which was new to CB. Love the bass on this. That deep full lush sax was still dominant.  And ST plays it well.  ‘Speedball picks it up and takes off with up tempo. Milt Jackson’s vibes were some more cool sounds in the mix and he trades licks with Turrentine  Again the band lays down the beat with that great bass again and Billy Cobham on drums so Stanley can blow and he does that on this one. The solos in this one cook.  Man does this one sing big time. Another great tune. ‘Don’t Mess With Mr T’ ends the record with a sexy late night bluesy tune. I was just about on over load from what was coming at me. There’s never enough of a good thing and I could have listened to this as long as they wanted to play.  I was digging the E Street band at the time.  Turrentine and Clemons were from the same tribe.  Stan was the man of the moment for CB.  Throw on the head phones crank it up and soak this one up.

CB was in sax land, groove land, jazz land, music land and he was real happy.  This was everything he wanted to hear and more.  His ears were flooded with what he loved.  Inside album jacket gave CB lots of great info on the music and the players. Found out the  bass was being played by Ron Carter. Man did I dig this record.  A CB fave for sure.  Great cover to boot. I was off into new territory and it was wide open.  What other great music was out there waiting for my babyhead?

Bracket 10 minutes and let Stanley and a group of great musicians take you for a musical ride on the cut below.  I’ll refund your time if you don’t dig it.