Idris Muhammad - My Turn (1993)

Although Idris Muhammad was employed as a sideman on his share of soul-jazz sessions in the '70s, the drummer hasn't been terribly visible as a leader. So it came as a pleasant surprise when, in 1993, he sat in the driver's seat for My Turn, a decent collection of jazz-pop, soul-jazz, and R&B employing such big names as Grover Washington, Jr. (tenor and soprano sax), Randy Brecker (trumpeter and flügelhorn), Hiram Bullock (electric guitar), and Bob James (electric keyboards). Not unlike the type of project Muhammad would have gone for in the '70s, My Turn is far from straight-ahead hard bop but isn't a so-called "elevator jazz" date either. R&B, pop, and funk considerations are emphasized, but not at the expense of improvisational freedom. Washington and Brecker get in some inspired solos on tunes ranging from pianist Neal Creqe's funky "Dracula" to Washington's congenial "Happenstance," and Muhammad does a nice job combining pop and soul's accessibility with jazz's spontaneity. Those who like their crossover meaty instead of fluffy should enjoy this CD.

Tracks:

01. Piece of Cake 06:29
02. Free 05:03
03. There Is A Girl 07:55
04. Dark Roads 05:01
05. Dracula 06:10
06. This Love 04:52
07. Happenstance 05:54
08. Stranger 04:02
09. Where Did We Go Wrong 04:35

Personnel:

IDRIS MUHAMMAD - Drums
GROVER WASHINGTON Jr. - Saxophones
RANDY BRECKER - Trumpet & Flugelhorn
BOB JAMES - Keyboards
HIRAM BULLOCK - Guitar
WAYNE BRATHWAITE - Bass
RALPH McDONALD - Percussion
CHARLIE ERNST - Keyboards
LALA BROOKS - Vocals
JAMOL FANTASIA - Vocals
PAULETTE PALIN - Vocals