Stanley Kuberik

The fifth and final Stanley Turrentine CTI recording actually predates all but the first album (Sugar). This LP has five selections from Feb.-Apr. 1971, including three with larger bands arranged by either Deodato or Chico O'Farrill, and two with a sextet also including guitarist Kenny Burrell and organist Butch Cornell. The best-known selection is the tenor's first rendition of Michel Legrand's "Pieces of Dreams" from June 1973; his July 1974 rendition for Fantasy would become quite popular. Although one could consider this album to consist of leftovers, Turrentine's playing is excellent, and the overall results certainly top most of the tenor's upcoming Fantasy releases.

Stanley Turrentine's great blues-inflected tenor sax work for Blue Note Records in the 1960s helped build the template for what became known as soul-jazz, but as Turrentine left Blue Note and began working with Creed Taylor's CTI Records in the early '70s, he became increasingly a crossover artist, earning his keep with a kind of smooth, orchestrated after-hours chillout music that was delivered with just enough groove to keep things breathing. What saved all of this from being jazz wallpaper was the steady, slightly raw tone of Turrentine's sax breaks, which seldom disappointed. When he left CTI for Fantasy, Turrentine began pumping up the rhythms into light funk fusion territory…

This album of sophisticated 1980s jazz-funk from one of the master practitioners of the genre features Stanley Turrentine accompanied by a small group on a selection of mostly uptempo pieces, including the disco-influenced "Paradise" and the ballad "I Knew It Couldn't Happen," the latter with vocals by the well-known singer and actress Irene Cara.

This first album as a leader by Stan Turrentine was done in a relaxed, crisp, swinging style. Stan had the assistance of George Duvivier, whose bass is a foundation that makes any group feel secure; Max Roach on drums, whose taste is impeccable and always constructive. The piano was equally divided among the old reliable Tommy Flanagan and Sonny Clark, whose swinging piano has caused many a musician to sit up and take notice. Listening to Stan Turrentine you realize his inspiration and early schooling goes back to Coleman Hawkins era. But Stan's style is unique.

This album's concept is totally what CTI label boss Creed Taylor was after. The album's title track is from Marvin Gaye's album released around the same time as this "Trouble Man". Both albums are large scale productions with lots of musicians and an Orchestra conducted and arranged on this album by Bob James who also plays keys on the album.
The core band of players consists of Ron Carter on acoustic bass, Eric Gale on guitar,Billy Cobham on drums and Richard Tee on organ and keyboards. Pianist Harold Mabern also guests on electric piano.
Idris Muhammad also plays drums on a track. The orchestra contains many big jazz names such as Randy Brecker on trumpet, Pepper Adams on baritone sax, Joe Farrell on tenor sax and Jerry Dodigon on alto sax. A who's who of Jazz horn talent all backing Turrentine.

A Blue Note release with Les McCann on piano, Herbie Lewis on bass, and Otis Finch on drums. Small group format. Excellent (and exciting) soul-jazz session with Turrentine blowing hot.