Mark Turner [Mark Turner] Even though this album has no name [an 'Eponymous' album?], it's not his first but his third album, i was initially attracted to this disc because of its booklet cover [photography by Guy Aroch], and of course this is how i buy a lot of my discs, it's a visual love affair before an aural one, and it's certainly an aural one now, this just scrapes into my top 100 discs at 94.
Mark Turner is an American Saxophonist, now 45 years old, he recorded this album in 1995, the front cover booklet photo is so incredible, a seemingly straightforward shot, but filled with autumnal colours, Turner cradles his saxophone, which really shines with highlights, the lettering is minimal but wonderful, also the photography throughout the booklet is of a high standard too.
I played this disc on the walk to and from Church, and even though it's the winter, this disc warmed my heart, there's a certain something about Jazz, an unplanned-ness, of course it's improvisation, as if the music is being composed while it's being recorded!, of which it is in a way, this is the essence of Jazz, even while i'm listening to Jazz, it takes surprising turns that i can't remember from last time.
The tracks that really hit me were 4 & 7-8, with track 7 'Magnolia Triangle' the very best, the saxophone tune is really funky, played twice at the beginning [0:11+ & 0:32+], nice and complex, both sax [0:58-3:41] and piano [3:41-5:18] have substantial solos, and just before the return of the theme, the piano plays some high treble notes [5:11-5:18], they're marvellous, and lead perfectly into the theme reprise by the sax [5:18+ & 5:39], a lovely moment of remembrance, and in the background the piano has a nice jive going on at the beginning [5:21-5:30], a really great tune that seems too short, the clip below comes from early on in Turners solo [1:13+ on disc].
Amazon gives half minute samples to feast your ears upon.
