Album Notes

Blurring genre borders is inevitable when a jazz savvy musician's axe of choice is the harmonica, an instrument inevitably linked to the blues. Yet Boston, MA harp master is a rare hybrid. On this record he's as at ease with Elegant swing like Duke Ellington's "The Mooch" as he is with a couple of smoking Ronnie Earl numbers. On Miles Davis' lithe "Half Nelson", Turk sounds trumpet-like. On the gutbucket "Chro-Magnum Man", his harp resembles a Hammond organ. J.J. Johnson's "Lament" is obviously inspired by Toots Thielemans plush jazz sound.

On the originals, turk blends styles so seamlessly, labels become moot. Recorded in 5 sessions from 1986 - 1992, the disc features some of Boston's best sidemen: Gray Sargent, Marshall Wood, Tim Ray, Matt Wilson, and Bob Savine. Ronnie Earl w 'Kid' Bangham show up to smoke on Earl's own 2 tunes. - Dan Gewertz, Boston Phoenix.

Turk wears both hats with equal aplomb on this album; his versatility will bring smiles to the faces of jazz and blues connoisseurs alike. - Mike Methany, Pitch, Kansas City

Touche, where has this guy been?! - Paul Robicheau, The Boston Globe