Steve Turre is the 1997
self-titled album by American trombonist Steve Turre. This is his sixth solo
album, his first of two albums he would do for Verve Records. The album
features a number of special guests, including Cassandra Wilson, Randy Brecker,
Jon Faddis, Mongo Santamaria, and Regina Carter. No wonder Steve Turre merely used
his name as the title of this tour de force, for it is a supremely ambitious,
self-defining project that covers an enormous amount of ground and means on one
small disc. With his trombone and signature conch shells as a base, Turre
expands his reach to embrace the Western Hemisphere - particularly Cuba and
Brazil – arranging, composing, inviting stellar guests to chip in, and ending
up with a beautiful, swinging record that can't be mistaken for anyone else's.
One gets a powerful dose of Turre's unique sound world on the fascinating
opening track, "In a Sentimental Mood," done bossa nova style with a
conch shell solo that sounds like late-period Dizzy Gillespie and a smoky
Cassandra Wilson vocal. There are ample layers of Turre's multi-tracked conch
shell harmonies, the sweetest ensemble sound this side of Lombardo and one that
is used as a genuinely musical ingredient, not a gimmick. Turre is secure
enough to feature the majestic sound of J.J. Johnson, who plays magnificently
on the lengthy tone poem "The Emperor" - whose title undoubtedly
refers to the elder trombone giant - and on "Steve's Blues."
Afro-Cuban music plays a major role here, as Mongo Santamaria's veteran
chartmeister Marty Sheller arranges "Ayer Lo Vi Llorar" for the 81-year-old
Queen of Boleros, Graciela Perez - and then Mongo himself duels with the madly
comping McCoy Tyner on, of course, "Mongo 'n' McCoy." The booklet
notes (by Turre himself) are an exhaustive play-by-play of what was clearly an
exhausting project, yet the final product has much of the exuberance of a
spontaneous jam session. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide.
Verve Records, 314 537 133-2,
1997
Recorded 7th May and 20th
June, 1996 at Master Sound Astoria Studios, New York
Personnel:
Steve Turre - Trombone,
Shells
Cassandra Wilson - Vocals
(#1)
Graciela Perez - Vocal (#4)
Randy Brecker - Trumpet &
Flugelhorn
J.J. Johnson - Trombone
Jon Faddis - Trumpet
Alfredo "Chocolate"
Armenteros - Trumpet
Britt Woodman - Trumpet [Open
Solo, #7]
Stephen Scott - Piano
Willie Rodriguez - Piano
Stefon Harris - Marimba,
Balifone, Gong, Vibraphone
Andy Gonzalez - Bass
Robin Eubanks - Shells &
Trombones
Jimmy Bosch - Shells &
Trombones
Douglas Purviance - Shells
& Trombones
Frank Lacy - Shells &
Trombones
Romero Lubambo - Guitar
Mongo Santamaria - Conga
[Solo]
Herculano Federici - Surdo
& Percussion
Manny Oquendo - Bongos,
Timbales [Solo] Guiro & Cow Bell, Percussion
Milton Cardona - Conga &
Shakere
Kimati Dinizulu - Djimbe,
African Drums
Victor Lewis - Drums
Portinho - Drums
Horatio "Negro"
Hernandez - Drums
Akua Dixon - Cello [Solo]
Regina Carter - Violin [Solo]
Carlos Baptiste - Violin
Ron Lawrence - Viola
Tracks:
1. In A Sentimental Mood
{Duke Ellington} (8:26)
2. The Emperor {Steve Turre}
(12:47)
3. Let It Go {Steve Turre}
(8:02)
4. Ayer Lo Vi Llorar {José
Antonio Mendez} (5:42)
5. Coastin' With Bobby {Steve
Turre} (8:43)
6. Steve's Blues {Steve
Turre} (6:38)
7. Inocencia [Basta De
Clamares Inocencia] {Cartola} (5:44)
8. Mongo 'N' McCoy {Steve
Turre} (10:30)
Credits:
Producer - Billy Banks
Engineer - David Merrill
Assistant Engineer - Rob
Farrell, Teddy Trewhella
Pianos Tuner - Max Conti
Mixed, and Mastering - Master
Sound Astoria Studios, Astoria, New York
Once
again Steve Turre has shown his style and ability by making an album that is
entertaining to all. Turre not only shows his technical ability, but he shows
his usual graceful and easing style. He also has great guest performances. The
list includes Randy Brecker, J. J. Johnson, John Faddis, and many others. While
Turre's seeming obsession with the conchshell provides the listener with a very
soothing and natural sound at times, occasionally he can leave the listener
wishing he would pick up his trombone. This album is a must have for anyone who
values the beauty of the trombone, or the intricacies of good jazz.
