"The scorching sax of Stanley Turrentine with the funkiness of Shirley Scott at the organ and the addition of the master guitarist Kenny Burrell is a combination that has no equal. This session sounds like it was recorded in a club instead of a studio. The tracks are loose and the musicians are hot. Although this is "Stan's album", an ample amount of play is given to each of these fine musicians. This uplifting session has it all for those who enjoy the "back to basics" type of classic jazz."
Almost perfect!
Tennessee Flat Top Box | 09/13/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Superb as it is, give this a wide berth if you are in anyway ambivalent to organ music. Shirley Scott, formidable talents aside, can, for those not disposed to the funky wonders of organ jazz, summon up images of rinky dink skating rink music, far more than most. With a bassist playing on most of her classic sessions, her sound is certainly unique, always swinging, melodious and easy on the bass pedals. Bob Cranshaw, guitar by Kenny Burrell and drums by Otis Finch, all equally stylish additions to any recording, handles those tasks. With the bluesy, effortless irreplaceable tenor saxophone of Scott's then husband Stanley Turrentine added to the mix, the result is a hard bop classic"
AWESOME!
Gurunadh Parinanei | Columbus, Ohio | 01/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"An Awesome Album. Turrentine and gang just keep cookin' throughout. I bought this album because I am a huge fan of Kenny Burrell. I also found out how under-rated Shirley Scott is. She has quickly become my favorite organ player. She is just so funky. It's a combination that is so felicitous-like baby's porridge."
Real Smooth Jazz
Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 10/11/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"These are wonderful times for music lovers who were too young or not yet born when some of these old albums were originally issued on vinyl. With the orgy of remastering precipitated by internet demand, we can now easily obtain many obscure and long out of print albums that previously we had little hope of finding.
I was a fan of Stanley Turrentine back in his CTI days but when he followed other jazzmen like George Benson to disco and easy-listening soul/jazz I quickly lost interest in him. But now that his back catalogue is being reissued, I find my interest rekindled and have a strong desire to hear his pre-CTI work.
Hustlin' is just one of the many. I picked it on whim and was dazzled the first time I played it through. This is the REAL smooth jazz, not the pop-jazz that is today sneeringly labeled "smooth jazz".
My favorites here are the first three cuts. Trouble (No. 2) finds Turrentine and his combo delivering a sophisticated rendering of an old standard. Love Letters is imbued with a soft romance that just carries the listener away. And The Hustler is in the style I like, where no one player dominates and each has a contribution to the whole that isn't overshadowed by the others.
Hustlin' is just one of many Turrentine reissues I will be getting. If the suave style of jazz prevalent in the late 50s and early 60s appeals to you, then this CD should be in your collection. You won't regret buying it and the price can't be beat!"