Return of the Prodigal Son

Performer: Stanley Turrentine
Distributor: EMI Music Distribution

Notes: Tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine is best known for his soul-jazz outings of the 1960s, and that feeling suffuses the 1967 session recordings collected on THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON. Working with a tentet--including a crack rhythm section of bassist Bob Cranshaw, drummer Ray Lucas, and pianist McCoy Tyner--Turrentine takes on a program of blues, ballads, standards and Latin-tinged tunes. Duke Pearson's rich, ear-catching arrangements make full use of the larger group instrumentation, but it's the dynamism of the rhythm section and Turrentine's soulful lines that stand out. Highlights include the saxman's take on several classic R&B tunes, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "Dr. Feelgood."

Down Beat (p.84) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "In 1967, tenor saxophonist Turrentine was on track with a combo of gentle funk tunes like the title track, alternating with a collection of swinging blues and pop tunes..."

Tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine possesses a big, slightly raw tone, and a powerful sense of swing, but is also quite at home with subtle expressions of tenderness. He achieved considerable success in the '60s working live and recording with Jimmy Smith and later, Shirley Scott. Together, they provided some of the finest examples of the tenor/organ soul-funk-jazz approach.

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