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.
Array on Movie : American Heart | |
cincinnatibabyhead on Movie : American Heart | |
cincinnatibabyhead on Movie : American Heart | |
Jim S. on Movie : American Heart | |
Jim S. on Movie : American Heart |
Array on Movie : American Heart | |
cincinnatibabyhead on Movie : American Heart | |
cincinnatibabyhead on Movie : American Heart | |
Jim S. on Movie : American Heart | |
Jim S. on Movie : American Heart |
Some classic jazz, for sure.
And the front cover is about as cool as you can get.
See ya’, CB.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The cover is classic. I love this record. I went on a big CTI label binge back in the day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I e never herd of this dude, but I’m in agreement with YAB there; the cover is about as cool as it gets. Definitely deserves at least a listen based on that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The cover matches the music. Stanley is just having a smoke between sets.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know Turrentine’s name, not his music. Super-super nice. Thanks for the tip. Great sax sound.
LikeLiked by 1 person
See comment on the Jerry Lee take.
LikeLike
When I’m rich I’m gonna collect CTI, and not just for the cover art. This one sound just great, CB. I only know Stanley’s earlier work – love the ones with Shirley Scott on organ – but this mid-70s is pretty cool.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m getting into my CTI stage in CB’s musical journey. Bunch of great albums I lucked into. The jazz thing was just to much for CB to resist. You know know the drill Bruce.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful. Your refund’s safe with me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I stole that “refund your time” line off someone. Makes CB sound like he’s a big time music critic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am a big CTI guy. I will pick up anything in the catalog. I don’t have this album, but I have most of he albums the greatest hits compilation draws from. Looks like an awesome collection.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I picked up ‘The Sugar Man’ by ST after this one. Just by fluke I grabbed a few CTI back when. They have those sturdy glossy covers. I’ll be featuring a few more as I go. I seen a concert, CTI All Stars or something similar back then. We probably have some of the same titles. Not a bad cut on ‘The Baddest Turrentine’.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the title – I remember when bad was good.
LikeLiked by 1 person