Common Touch
Stanley Turrentine · 1969
50 min · 7 tracks · jazz
A vibrant blend of soulful jazz and R&B-infused melodies, showcasing Turrentine's expressive tenor saxophone.
Top tracks — play these first
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Buster Brown Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Blowin' in the Wind — Turrentine's rendition transforms this classic protest song into a soulful jazz interpretation, highlighting his mastery of emotional nuance through improvisation.
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Common Touch — The title track encapsulates the album's theme, featuring a rich interplay between Turrentine’s saxophone and the rhythm section that embodies a communal spirit.
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Ain’t No Way — With its extended form, this track allows Turrentine to explore deep emotional expression while balancing intricate melodies with rhythmic grooves.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends jazz and R&B influences effectively, showcasing Turrentine's saxophone while maintaining a cohesive sound.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of upbeat tempos, with the first four tracks maintaining a lively groove before slowing down in the final three.
- Turrentine's tenor saxophone often takes center stage, with extended solos that showcase his expressive style and interaction with the rhythm section.
- Each track incorporates elements of R&B, blending jazz improvisation with soulful melodies and rhythms.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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, consistent energy levels
- gradual builds and payoffs
- late-night contemplative moods
- layered, dense sonic textures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Marked a significant turn towards blending soul and jazz, expanding Turrentine's audience.
- Themes
- soulful jazz fusion· communal spirit· protest song reinterpretation
- Career context
- By 1969, Stanley Turrentine was already an established name in jazz, having released several albums since his debut in the early 1960s. 'Common Touch' marked a significant turn towards blending soul influences into his work, following his acclaimed album 'The Spoiler' from 1966, which had solidified his reputation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Horace Silver· Joe Henderson· Cannonball Adderley
Tracklist
- 1 Buster Brown Start here 5:23
- 2 Blowin' in the Wind 5:53
- 3 Lonely Avenue 8:05
- 4 Boogaloo 6:22
- 5 Common Touch 6:18
- 6 Living Through It All 7:14
- 7 Ain’t No Way 11:03
What to play next
Sugar
1970
Continues the soulful jazz vibe with rich melodies and Turrentine's signature saxophone.
Always Something There
1968
Precedes Common Touch, sharing similar themes and energy in Turrentine's style.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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