Is The Man with the Sad Face a good place to start with Stanley Turrentine?

Yes, The Man with the Sad Face is recommended as a starting point for new Stanley Turrentine listeners. A soulful blend of jazz and R&B with rich saxophone melodies that evoke deep emotional landscapes. By the time 'The Man with the Sad Face' was released in 1976, Stanley Turrentine was already an established name in jazz, following his successful albums like 'Sugar' (1970) and 'Don’t Mess with Mister T' (1973). This album marked a period where Turrentine began exploring more commercial sounds, integrating elements of funk and soul to appeal to a wider audience while maintaining his jazz roots.

Who is The Man with the Sad Face for?

The Man with the Sad Face works well if you're into steady melodic flow throughout, soulful evening listening experience and emotive saxophone storytelling moments.

How many songs are on The Man with the Sad Face?

The Man with the Sad Face has 8 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

Released 50 years ago

The Man with the Sad Face

Stanley Turrentine · 1976

37 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A soulful blend of jazz and R&B with rich saxophone melodies that evoke deep emotional landscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Evil Ways Start here — This track showcases Turrentine's ability to infuse jazz improvisation with a catchy rhythm, making it accessible without sacrificing musical integrity.
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The Man With the Sad Face — The title track features a poignant saxophone melody that encapsulates the emotional depth of the album, resonating with listeners through its lyrical themes of longing.
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Love Hangover — In this rendition, Turrentine transforms a classic into a jazz-funk masterpiece, highlighting his skill in reinterpreting popular songs while maintaining a unique sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends jazz and R&B with strong saxophone melodies, showcasing solid composition and production.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of saxophone as the lead instrument, with rich, soulful melodies that dominate each track.
Tracks often incorporate R&B rhythms alongside jazz harmonies, creating a smooth blend that appeals to both genres.
Several pieces include extended improvisational sections, allowing the saxophone to explore themes while maintaining a cohesive sound.
The overall tempo varies, but most tracks maintain a laid-back groove that invites relaxed listening.

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: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

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 melodic flow throughout
soulful evening listening experience
emotive saxophone storytelling moments
for intimate gatherings

Maybe skip if you

seeks fast-paced excitement
prefers standalone tracks only

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Fan Favorite — Beloved by fans for its soulful blend and emotional depth, though not a primary entry point.
Themes: soulful longing· funk-infused jazz· nightclub melancholy
Career context: By the time 'The Man with the Sad Face' was released in 1976, Stanley Turrentine was already an established name in jazz, following his successful albums like 'Sugar' (1970) and 'Don’t Mess with Mister T' (1973). This album marked a period where Turrentine began exploring more commercial sounds, integrating elements of funk and soul to appeal to a wider audience while maintaining his jazz roots.
Stylistic neighbors: Horace Silver· Joe Henderson· Cannonball Adderley