Stanley Turrentine - Common Touch LP

Blue Note Records has announced the continuation of the Classic Vinyl Reissue Series which presents 180g vinyl LP reissues in standard packaging mastered by Kevin Gray and manufactured at Optimal. The pressings are all-analog whenever an analog source is available, with Gray mastering directly from the original master tapes. While the first 16 titles of the series focused on the best-known Blue Note classics from the 1950s and 60s, the new run of titles curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman broadens its scope to span the many eras and styles of the legendary label's eight-decade history presented by themes: Bebop, Hard Bop, Soul Jazz, Post-Bop, Avant-Garde, The 70s, The Rebirth, and Hidden Gems.

The great tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine imbued every single note he played with a depth of feeling and soulfulness that still reverberates today. Turrentine made his Blue Note debut in 1960 and had been a stalwart of the label for the better part of a decade when he entered Rudy Van Gelder's studio in August 1968 to lay down his 21st session as a leader, the lesser-known classic Common Touch featuring his then-wife Shirley Scott on organ. The couple were joined by guitarist Jimmy Ponder, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Leo Morris (aka Idris Muhammad) for this easy-going but varied six song set which included groovy numbers like Turrentine's "Buster Brown" and Scott's "Boogaloo" in addition to the gently swinging title track, a slow burning version of Doc Pomus' "Lonely Avenue," and a highly-enjoyable take on Bob Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind."