Is A Chip Off the Old Block a good place to start with Stanley Turrentine?

Yes, A Chip Off the Old Block is recommended as a starting point for new Stanley Turrentine listeners. A vibrant blend of soulful melodies and intricate improvisation that captures the essence of 1960s jazz. Released in early 1964, A Chip Off the Old Block marked Stanley Turrentine's third album as a bandleader, following his breakout with Look Out! in 1961. At this point, Turrentine was establishing himself as a prominent tenor saxophonist within the hard bop movement, showcasing his distinctive sound and engaging style.

Who is A Chip Off the Old Block for?

A Chip Off the Old Block works well if you're into steady mid-tempo groove exploration, soulful melodies for relaxation and intricate improvisations to savor.

How many songs are on A Chip Off the Old Block?

A Chip Off the Old Block has 5 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

A Chip Off the Old Block

Stanley Turrentine · 1964

36 min · 5 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of soulful melodies and intricate improvisation that captures the essence of 1960s jazz.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Midnight Blue — This track features a haunting melody paired with lush harmonies, exemplifying Turrentine’s expressive playing and setting a standard for future jazz ballads.
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One O’Clock Jump Start here — An energetic opener that showcases Turrentine's ability to blend rhythm and melody seamlessly, this track is a lively tribute to big band traditions.
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Blues in Hoss’ Flat — This piece highlights Turrentine's improvisational skills through its playful call-and-response format, bringing a fresh approach to blues within jazz.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong improvisation and varied tempos, contributing to its distinct sound within the jazz genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a fast-paced big band arrangement on 'One O’Clock Jump', immediately establishing an energetic tone.
Each track features extended improvisation sections, allowing the musicians to explore themes rather than adhering strictly to written melodies.
The final track, 'Cherry Point', introduces a slower tempo and more contemplative mood, providing contrast to the preceding pieces.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo groove exploration
soulful melodies for relaxation
intricate improvisations to savor
for evening unwind

Maybe skip if you

seeking upbeat, fast-paced tracks
prefer short, standalone songs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album helped solidify Turrentine’s status in jazz and features influential tracks.
Themes: 1960s jazz scene· big band traditions· soulful melodies
Career context: Released in early 1964, A Chip Off the Old Block marked Stanley Turrentine's third album as a bandleader, following his breakout with Look Out! in 1961. At this point, Turrentine was establishing himself as a prominent tenor saxophonist within the hard bop movement, showcasing his distinctive sound and engaging style.
Stylistic neighbors: Horace Silver· Joe Henderson· Cannonball Adderley