Jazz | Pint | Return From The Stars

 

For whatever reason, Mark Turner was on my mind recently so I picked up a couple of his albums when I was up in Auckland - Year Of The Snake, and tonight’s listening, Return From The Stars. Often the slickness of contemporary jazz from the likes of Turner and his associates isn’t really my thing so I just dip in and out on the odd occasion. As a result, I haven’t really kept up with Turner’s recordings – just keeping an eye what's happening without giving things more than a cursory ear. Looking back, I think part of it had to do with so many tenor players chasing after Turner that it put me off a little, which seems a little stupid as I reflect on it. But maybe that break has been a good thing as I’ve really been enjoying this disc. Jason Palmer (trumpet) is not someone I’m familiar with but he and Turner and work well together and get a nice blend (the unisons/melody on “Bridgetown” and “Nigeria II” leapt out at me), and there’s some nice interaction on “Terminus” too. I like the way the album eases into things as the leader steps aside and the bass of Joe Martin gets the first solo spot. I’ve enjoyed the space that the piano-less quartet brings, especially given so much contemporary jazz can be rather cluttered. Let’s face it, Turner’s a pretty notey player (“It’s Not Alright With Me”) but I’ve noticed on this recorded that he paces himself a bit more than I remember from earlier recordings. Maybe that’s a more recent development in his playing but I have plenty of gaps in his discography... even if it’s something he’s done all along, I noticed it this time and I like it. At times I wanted Jonathan Pinson (drums) to settle down a little too (like at the start of Turner’s solo on “Bridgetown”) and that would have brought that sense of space more to the fore.

I have a feeling there will be more some Mark Turner getting a spin around here. Return From The Stars made me want to check out his previous piano-less quartet album Lathe of Heaven, and earlier in the day I gave the debut FLY album a run for the first time in I can’t remember how long. I picked it up in NYC shortly after it was released, and perhaps it will make an appearance at an upcoming 2000s themed listening session... I’m still wading through some tracks to decide what to play. I’m tempted to hold off listening to Year Of The Snake until I get my hands on Sky & Country so I can run through the FLY albums in order of appearance.

The pint tonight took the form of peppermint tea.