Rough N Tumble

Rough N Tumble

Finally, this 1966 gem is available on CD. Though one of majestic-toned, blues-and-bop tenor saxophone maestro Stanley Turrentine's lesser-known albums, <I>Rough 'n' Tumble</I> is nonetheless a foot-stomping delight. On six very engaging numbers, Stanley is surrounded by a dynamic seven-piece all-star band that features trumpeter Blue Mitchell, baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams, guitarist Grant Green, drummer Mickey Roker, and McCoy Tyner (!!!) on piano. The very solid arrangements are by top-drawer writer Duke Pearson. Each track has something special. "And Satisfy" is a riveting, shuffle blues. Turrentine's reading of the theme and his singing then shouting, blues-drenched solo sport his typical vocal inflections. Mitchell and Green's more boplike (though still indigo-shaded) efforts provide delicious contrast. Turrentine's solo on Sam Cooke's "Shake" is another joyous holler. Ray Charles's ever-so-slow ditty, "What Could I Do Without You," has the tenorman at his emotive best, pulling the listener in with crying-like notes while Tyner gets Ray's piano style just right. Stanley also sings out on "Walk On By," and Roker's crisp cymbal and drum work help "Feeling Good" motor right along with a spark. Stanley employs the wears-well melody in his percolating improvisation, and Tyner also scores with a similar approach. The closing "Baptismal," the one strictly straight-ahead piece here, is home to crackling solos from the leader, Tyner-making the style he developed with Coltrane work superbly in a more traditional context--and the ever-galvanizing, gritty and rhythmically sure-footed Adams. A winner all around. <I>--Zan Stewart</I>