Stanley Turrentine - The Baddest Turrentine (1980 Japanese CTI Limited Edition Vinyl LP)

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Stanley Turrentine - The Baddest Turrentine Vinyl LP - Limited Edition Japanese CTI Compilation

An anthology of Stanley Turrentine's finest CTI recordings, The Baddest Turrentine lives up to its bold title by compiling four essential tracks that showcase the tenor saxophonist at his soulful, swinging best. Released in 1980 as a limited edition Japanese pressing in CTI's Original 1500 Series and manufactured by King Record Co. Ltd., this collection captures Turrentine's ability to bridge sophisticated jazz improvisation with the deep blues feeling and groove that made him one of the most accessible and popular jazz artists of the 1970s.

The album opens with "Sugar", Turrentine's signature tune and one of the biggest jazz hits of the 1970s. With its irresistible groove, memorable melody, and Turrentine's warm, full-bodied tenor sound, "Sugar" became a crossover success that introduced countless listeners to jazz while maintaining genuine artistic substance. Recorded at Van Gelder Studios with Rudy Van Gelder's pristine engineering, the track demonstrates how Turrentine could make commercial music without compromising his jazz credentials.

"Salt Song" continues the savory seasoning metaphor, delivering another groove-oriented performance that showcases Turrentine's gift for creating melodies that stick in the listener's mind. His tone, rich and slightly gritty, conveys both sophistication and earthiness - a combination that defines the soul-jazz aesthetic he helped popularize. Producer Creed Taylor's production provides lush orchestration and contemporary arrangements that frame Turrentine's playing without overwhelming it.

Side two opens with "Speedball", a more uptempo number that demonstrates Turrentine's facility and swing at faster tempos. While known for his ballad playing and mid-tempo grooves, Turrentine could also burn through changes with technical command and bluesy phrasing that always swung. The album closes with "Don't Mess With Mister T", a title that playfully asserts Turrentine's mastery while delivering another soulful, groove-heavy performance.

What made Turrentine special was his ability to honour the blues and soul traditions that informed his playing while incorporating the harmonic sophistication of modern jazz. His sound was immediately identifiable - that big, warm tone with just enough edge to give it character. Unlike some soul-jazz players who simplified their approach for commercial purposes, Turrentine maintained his improvisational depth while making music that moved both the head and the body.

This compilation, selected from Turrentine's CTI catalogue by producer Creed Taylor, provides an excellent introduction to Turrentine's work for the label. Ira Gitler's liner notes (included in the four-page insert) provide context about Turrentine's career and approach, while Alen MacWeeney's photography and Bob Ciano's artwork maintain CTI's high standards for visual presentation.

The Japanese pressing by King Record Co. offers the audiophile sound quality CTI releases demand. Van Gelder's engineering, Taylor's production, and King's manufacturing combine to create a listening experience that does justice to Turrentine's gorgeous tone and the sophisticated arrangements that frame his playing. Part of the CTI Original 1500 Series, this limited edition represents the care Japanese labels took in presenting important American jazz to their market.