Stanley Turrentine
Hustlin’ (180Gm Analogue – Tone Poet)

‘Hustlin’ continued Stanley Turrentine’s musical collaborations with Hammond organ maestro and then wife Shirley Scott.  Also, on the session were drummer Otis Finch, guitarist Kenny Burrell and bassist Bob Cranshaw.    This quintet date hails from 24th January 1964.  The opener is ‘Trouble (no 2)’ by Lloyd Price.  Its melody sounds uncannily like the standard ‘Fever’.  This version is a swinging Jazz groove driven by Scott’s funky Hammond. It is a track that Turrentine must have loved as it features in slightly less thrusting style on his ‘Never Let Me Go’ LP from a year earlier.  Victor Young and Edward Heyman’s ‘Love Letters’, taken from the film of the same name is given the mid-tempo Turrentine treatment.  Its distinct groove is sustained by Scott’s Hammond, whilst Turrentine’s warm and melodic sax provides the focus.  Turrentine’s own ‘The Hustler’ is an awesome slice of Blue Note Hammond magic.  Turrentine spurs the band to ever funkier heights with Scott’s B3 organ playing a highlight.  Shirley Scott composed the compulsive ‘Lady Fingers’.  It is the fingers of guitarist Kenny Burrell that impress.   Lady fingers, herself then delivers a fine solo on the Hammond before the main man wails soulfully.  The bubbly ‘Something Happens To Me’ is also given the ‘Turrentine’ treatment as it sways gracefully. The saxophonist is especially lyrical as is Burrell.  The band swing with Finch and Cranshaw holding the rhythm together.  Dvorak’s ‘Goin Home’ originally loosely based around a spiritual is blues orientated. Taken at slow to mid-tempo it gives Turrentine the opportunity to let rip and improvise to his hearts content.  ‘Hustlin’ is a fine record that stands out in the Stanley Turrentine discography.