Organist Shirley Scott and her then-husband, tenor great Stanley Turrentine always made potent music together. This CD, which combines together the former Prestige LPs The Soul Is Willing and Soul Shoutin', finds "Mr. T." at his early peak, playing some intense yet always soulful solos on such pieces as Sy Oliver's "Yes Indeed," "Secret Love," and his memorable originals "The Soul Is Willing" and "Deep Down Soul." Scott, who found her own niche within the dominant Jimmy Smith style, swings hard throughout the set and (together with drummer Grassella Oliphant and either Major Holley or Earl May on bass) the lead voices play with such consistent enthusiasm that one would think these were club performances.

Stanley Turrentine's stint with Creed Taylor's CTI label may not have produced any out-and-out classics on the level of the very best LPs by Freddie Hubbard, Hubert Laws, or George Benson, but the bluesy tenorist's output was consistently strong and worthwhile for all but the most stridently anti-fusion listeners. Salt Song was Turrentine's second album for CTI, and while it's perhaps just a small cut below his debut Sugar, it's another fine, eclectic outing that falls squarely into the signature CTI fusion sound: smooth but not slick, accessible but not simplistic. In general, keyboardist Eumir Deodato's arrangements have plenty of light funk and Brazilian underpinnings, the latter often courtesy of percussionist Airto Moreira…

The second of three albums tenor sax man Stanley Turrentine did for Elektra after leaving Fantasy Records, 1981's Tender Togetherness featured an electric jazz-funk hybrid sound that packed a good deal more punch and brightness than its predecessor, 1979's Betcha. Produced by Earth, Wind & Fire's Larry Dunn (EW&F's "After the Love Has Gone" is given a treatment here), and featuring a subtle, almost Latin feel, the album bounces and bubbles along on an almost continuous joyful light R&B groove. Turrentine's sax lines are full of that steady, strong bluesy tone that has become his signature, but this time around he is very much a part of the ensemble, and Tender Togetherness is richer for it, sounding very much like a whole piece of fabric from the opening notes of the bright, airy "Hermanos" to the playful funk of the album closer…

If ever there were a record that both fit perfectly and stood outside the CTI Records' stable sound, it is Sugar by Stanley Turrentine. Turrentine, a veteran of the soul-jazz scene since the '50s, was accompanied by a who's who of groove players, including guitarist George Benson, Lonnie Liston Smith on electric piano, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, bassist Ron Carter, organist Butch Cornell, and drummer Billy Kaye, among others. The title track is a deep soul blues workout with a swinging backbeat and the rhythm section fluidly streaming through fours and eights as Benson, Hubbard, and Turrentine begin slowly and crank up the heat, making the pace and stride of the cut simmer then pop - especially in Hubbard's solo. This is truly midnight blue, and the party's at the point of getting really serious or about to break up…

Stanley Turrentine was just beginning to turn heads in jazz circles in the early '60s when he made an appearance at Minton's with guitarist Grant Green, pianist Horace Parlan, bassist George Tucker, and drummer Al Harewood. The group mixes hard bop with funk and soul jazz; Turrentine's tone, sound, and pacing are good, although he wasn't yet the master at ballads he would be later in his career.

Stanley Turrentine was just beginning to turn heads in jazz circles in the early '60s when he made an appearance at Minton's with guitarist Grant Green, pianist Horace Parlan, bassist George Tucker, and drummer Al Harewood. The group mixes hard bop with funk and soul jazz; Turrentine's tone, sound, and pacing are good, although he wasn't yet the master at ballads he would be later in his career. Standards and a couple of blues make up the repertoire, giving listeners a definitive look at the soulful Mr. T. near the beginning of his productive musical life.

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.

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.

Easy Walker is a fairly standard but highly enjoyable small-group soul-jazz session from Stanley Turrentine. Backed by a rhythm section of pianist McCoy Tyner, drummer Mickey Roker, and bassist Bob Cranshaw, Turrentine turns in a number of rich, round, and full-bodied leads which are perfectly complemented by Tyner's strutting, sympathetic piano. Largely divided between midtempo grooves and slow blues, with a couple of pop covers like "What the World Needs Now Is Love," thrown in, Easy Walker doesn't offer much challenging material, but it does let the musicians work a good groove, and occasionally showcase their improvisational skills, making it a good, relaxing soul-jazz session.

This LP pairs trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and tenor-saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, two very individual players who always brought out the best in each other. They stretch out on long versions of "Povo" and "Gibraltar" that clock in around 19 minutes apiece. The backup rhythm section (guitarist Eric Gale, keyboardist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Jack DeJohnette) is a major asset and inspires the two horns to play reasonably creative solos.

Although he's a monster tenor soloist on funky, exuberant, bluesy soul-jazz, Stanley Turrentine is even more awesome on ballads. His rich, steamy sound, full tone, and ability to pace and develop moods is ideal for show tunes and sentimental love songs. This nine-track set begins with Turrentine nicely caressing the melody and turning in a standout treatment on "Willow Weep For Me," continuing through tearjerkers ("Since I Fell For You") and blues anthems ("God Bless The Child"), and closing with Thad Jones' beautiful "A Child Is Born." Turrentine is matched with numerous premier players, and pianist McCoy Tyner, guitarist Jimmy Smith, and even Turrentine's brother Tommy (trumpet) gently support and complement the main soloist. One of the best Blue Note special discs, featuring moving, frequently hypnotic playing from a true tenor great.

Turrentine with Kenny Drew, Jr. (keyboards), Dave Strykier (guitar), Dwayne Dolphin (bass), and Mark Johnson (drums).
Stanley Turrentine was a 'monster' tenor player with a fantastic sound, a magnificent technique and a great jazz feel. On this album he is backed by a superb rhythm, that matches the mood both of the piece and of Turrentine perfectly. Whether it’s the gentle ballad style of "I Haven’t Got Anything Better to Do" or the funky "Don’t Mess with Mr. T.", they get it just right.

These nine ballads were recorded by Stanley Turrentine between 1962 and 1969. Apart from being a genuinely wonderful set of romantic tunes, Music for Lovers showcases a soft side of the great tenor's playing. Turrentine is one of the quintessential soul-jazz saxophonists. His Blue Note recordings from the 1960s with Shirley Scott are generally the works cited, but there is so much other material on offer that a small collection like this is welcome. A pair of ballads with Scott on organ are here, representing that darker groove aspect, but so are tunes with pianists like Sonny Clark, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Horace Parlan, and Cedar Walton…

For this quartet date with pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Billy Higgins (trumpeter Freddie Hubbard sits in on two numbers), Turrentine is in top form on a variety of standards plus Tommy Turrentine's "Thomasville" and Rahsaan Roland Kirk's "Spirits up Above." A fine session.

Incredible 70s work from the lovely Astrud Gilberto - a rare effort for the CTI label that has her teaming up with arranger Eumir Deodato and saxophonist Stanley Turrentine - all in a groove that's totally different than most of her earlier work! Astrud's breathy vocals are still wonderfully intact - but they're given a more spacious approach in the arrangements - strings mixes with rolling basslines, soaring keyboards, and stone cold tenor from Stanley - in a groove that's simply wonderful, and which takes off in a whole new direction than before! Other players include Airto, Sivuca, Hubert Laws, and Dom Um Romao - and tracks include classic versions of "Ponteio", "Vera Cruz", and "Zazueira" that are all some of the most grooving takes on the tunes ever - plus "Historia De Amor", "Where There's A Heartache", "Brazilian Tapestry", and "Wanting Things".