Steve Turre – Rainbow People – High Note HCD 7181, 65:14 ****1/2:
(Steve Turre, trombone and shells; Kenny Garrett, alto saxophone; Sean Jones, trumpet and flugelhorn; Mulgrew Miller, piano; Peter Washington, bass; Ignacio Berroa, drums; Pedro Martinez, percussion on track 9)
Steve Turre’s discography features a who’s who of jazz elite, ranging from Art Blakey, Roland Kirk, and Woody Shaw to Ray Charles, McCoy Tyner and Slide Hampton. He has had thirteen titles as a bandleader. His latest recording for High Note features a star line-up of jazz veterans Mulgrew Miller, Kenny Garrett, Peter Washington, and Ignacio Berroa. He adds the recently heralded Sean Jones for three tracks. Turre wrote seven of the nine compositions and handles production duties as well. Rainbow People features exceptional sound quality, as the drums sizzle and Turre’s trombone is front and center in its richness.
The title track provides Garrett and Turre an opportunity to show their mastery of their instruments, while Mulgrew Miller’s solo sparkles. Forward Vision is so lyrical with Miller, and Turre setting a stage for Sean Jones to flex his swagger. Brother Ray is a fitting tribute to Mr. Charles and Turre’s open horn and plunger along with the blues lines of Mulgrew testify to their love of RC. The blues continue with Groove Blues and Garrett digs in deep with his solo. Amen!
Turre changes the mood with Midnight in Madrid and Para El Commandante, both Latin based, the former Spanish tinged and the latter Afro Cuban. Special mention must be made of Turre’s warm spiritual playing on McCoy Tyner’s moving Search for Peace.
Rainbow People ranks up with the best of Turrre’s output as a bandleader. Song selection matched with superb recording quality, coupled with Turre’s mastery of the trombone make this CD a must-have for his fans.
TrackList: Rainbow People, Forward Vision, Brother Ray, Groove Blues, Midnight in Madrid, Cleopatra’s Needle, A Search For Peace, Segment, Para El Commandate
– Jeff Krow
