Search - Stanley Turrentine :: That's Where It's at

Encounter: This is where it's at.

George H. Soule | Edwardsville, Illinois United States | 12/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The liner notes to this CD recount the fortuitous 1962 meeting of Stanley Turrentine and the L.A. and Pacific Jazz based Les McCann Ltd. that produced this marvelous masterpiece of gospel inspired jazz. The disc features a handful of original compositions by McCann, Stanley Turrentine, and Stanley's brother, the trumpet player Tommy Turrentine. Part of Rudy Van Gelder's ongoing Blue Note reissues, the disc presents Stanley's always competent tenor saxophone in context with Les McCann's trio. The quartet is tight and competent, exemplifying the best of the gospel-soul inspired jazz of the 1960's. It's funky and soulful-and it swings. McCann's piano style has always seemed to me to be the authentic version of what Ramsey Lewis was trying to achieve commercially, and tunes like "Stacey's Smile" and "We'll See Yaw'll After While, Ya Heah," bear out that opinion. Les McCann is simultaneously modern and down home without pretension--be it shout or truth--and to my ear McCann complements Stanley Turrentine's lyrical and soulful tenor better than any other setting. This disc is certainly among Turrentine's best, and it's good to know that it's available again. This is where it's at, and you can't go wrong with this disc."

Soulful Groove

Jazz_Fan | Michigan | 12/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"That's where it's at is all Stanley needs to say with this album. Stanley Turrentine and Les McCann turn in a head bobbin' performance as they groove from song to song. Mr. Turrentine isn't a Coltrane or Rollins who would give you an endless stream of notes, instead he gives you some of the best Soul jazz I've heard from him yet. His excellent tone and sound make the

CD sound like it was recorded just the other day. This happened to also be my first taste of Les McCann on the piano, who solos and accompanies Stanley with great flare and vigor (as you can hear his moanin' in the background as he plays). Now a 5 star rating is probably a little high on an overall Jazz scale, but in regards to Stanley Turrentine, it is one of my favorite albums of his that I own. I recommend this album very highly to anyone who enjoys that Soulful Groove, Stanley Turrentine can bring with his Tenor Saxophone."

SOULFUL

Lester L. Carter | PHILA , PA | 08/01/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"They told the truth about this one. I've heard Stanley Turrentine before, but never like this. The brother is smokin'. Of course, Les Mccann is there to give that extra boost. My advice, slip this one on, turn down the lights, get that 'whatever' you're going to sip, and enjoy."