TURN IT OVER

"Fresh on the heels of their electrifying 1969 debut album "Emergency !", the TONY WILLIAMS LIFETIME returned the following year with "Turn It Over", a dark and uncromprimising nine song broadside aimed squarely at the Jazz establishment". This quote was taken from the liner notes. Jack Bruce from CREAM fame has been added to this lineup that also includes Larry Young on keyboards and John McLaughlin on guitars. I really feel this album would have been so much better without Tony's cringe-worthy vocals. And it also doesn't sound nearly as good as Tony's later masterpiece "Belive It !" unfortunately. With a lineup like this though there is lots to like.

"To Whom It May Concern-Them" and the following track "To Whom It May Concern-Us" are both Chick Corea composed tracks.The first song starts of harmlessly enough but it quickly becomes more powerful and aggressive as guitar and organ rip it up. Very raw and loud. This continues as it blends into the second track and continues along the same path. "This Night This Song" is a Williams track and neither the vocals or music are what you would call pleasant. That was me being polite. "Big Nick" is a John Coltrane tune. This one's jazzier with some excellent organ although they all stand out here.

"Right On" is short but it makes a statement. Pounding drums with some good organ runs while guitar joins the fray a minute in. "Once I Loved" opens with some eerie organ. Vocals before 2 minutes. This is painful. "Vuelta Abajo" is a good song that reminds me of Hendrix. "A Famous Blues" has vocals and that's all i'll say. "Allah Be Praised" is my favourite. It's a Larry Young song that features some amazing organ and guitar. Tony struts his stuff 2 minutes in.

For me 3 stars is fair, I just think this could have been so much better.