This 1961 groove date by Stanley Turrentine is an example of him at his fiery peak. Far from the slow groover of the CTI years, Turrentine’s early Blue Note sides were massive and bright, saturated in deep soul and blues. This set featured Turrentine’s wife, organist and composer Shirley…

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,…

In the mid- to late ’60s, Blue Note was beginning to take on the affectations of funk and a new kind of “cool.” For the most part, Turrentine steers clear of that style, and Rough ‘n’ Tumble is a pretty straight-ahead set, especially for 1966. “And Satisfy” and “Feelin’…

This CD reissue brings back an easy-listening set in which tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine teams up with his then-wife, organist Shirley Scott, in what was probably their last joint recording. The original LP program is joined by “Ain’t No Way” from a slightly earlier date with similar personnel. Even…

Up at Minton’s is a particularly solid double CD featuring tenor-saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, guitarist Grant Green, pianist Horace Parlan, bassist George Tucker and drummer Al Harewood during a frequently exciting live set. Although recorded early in the careers of Turrentine and Green, both lead voices are easily recognizable with…

At 75, Kenny Burrell’s career should be considered a lesson in longevity. Swinging as hard as ever, the guitarist’s patented style of smooth-toned, blues-inflected bop that has made him a favorite of jazz audiences and an inspiration to legions of guitarists is strongly intact. 75th Birthday Bash Live! is a fitting…

Despite its title, this LP was actually guitarist Kenny Burrell’s second Blue Note album, although the first to be released. Teamed with pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Kenny Clarke and the conga of Candido, Burrell displays what was already an immediately recognizable tone. At 24, Burrell had…

This album is one of guitarist Kenny Burrell’s best-known sessions for the Blue Note label. Burrell is matched with tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, bassist Major Holley, drummer Bill English, and Ray Barretto on conga for a blues-oriented date highlighted by “Chitlins Con Carne,” “Midnight Blue,” “Saturday Night Blues,” and…

The music on this 1997 two-CD set was originally on two LPs and already previously reissued as a pair of CDs. Guitarist Kenny Burrell leads a very coherent jam session in the studio with a particularly strong cast that also includes trumpeter Louis Smith, both Junior Cook and Tina…

Kenny Burrell and Art Blakey played together infrequently during their careers, so this meeting of jazz minds is a welcome occasion. A rather short set issued here from club dates at the Five Spot Cafe in New York City must have meant there were other nights of recordings that…