One of today’s most influential tenor saxists is Mark Turner, and his horn is featured on a couple new releases.
Playing piano and Wurltizer, Mike Yamanaka brings together Mark Turner/ts, Tyrone Allen/b and Jimmy Macbride/dr for a collection of modern originals. She sounds Monkish with a flexible Turner on “Oatmile”, and bops with delight for “Clam”. Her touch is sleaek with a strong sense of stride for “Song For Mary Loue”, while her keybards get dreamy on the impressionistic “Gin”. Allen gives a rich pulse to “Shades of Rainbow” and digs in with Macbride as Turner rides the whitewaters on the rapid race to the finish line of “Uh Oh”. The team is prettiest on “That Ain’t Betty” and warmest with Turner blowing orange embers for “Early Morning”. Dexterity and digs.
Drummer Anthony Fung brings together Mark Turner/ts, Michael Ragonense/p and Luca Alemanno/b for some post bopping originals. Turner is in his element hear, gliding over the leader’s swift shuffle on “Boo Boo’s Birthday” and flowing over “Utopia”, reflective like a lake on “The Upide Down”. Fung delivers an upbeat feel on his cymbal as he features Ragonese on “A Second Chance” and lets the piano man get lyrical with Turner on “Hero’s Song”. New adventures.