Turn It Over is the second album by the American jazz fusion group the Tony Williams Lifetime, released in 1970 via Polydor Records.[7][8] It was rereleased by Verve Records in 1997, as part of Spectrum: The Anthology.[9] Williams is again joined by guitarist John McLaughlin and organist Larry Young, along with former Cream frontman Jack Bruce.
Turn It Over | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | December 1970 | |||
Recorded | July 1970[1] | |||
Studio | Olmstead Sound Studios, New York City | |||
Genre | Jazz fusion, jazz-rock | |||
Length | 34:50 38:36 (reissue) | |||
Label | Polydor Records | |||
Producer | Monte Kay, Jack Lewis, Tony Williams | |||
The Tony Williams Lifetime chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Robert Christgau | B+[3] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Jack Bruce joined the group for Turn It Over, providing bass and vocals.[10] Tony Williams was excited by the amplification he could employ during the recording of the album; his liner notes repeatedly instruct the listener to play the album at a high volume.[8] Williams described the album as his version of the MC5's Kick Out the Jams.[11]
The album contains a cover of John Coltrane's "Big Nick".[12]
AllMusic called the album "one of the more intense pieces of early jazz-rock fusion around," writing that "in parts, it's like Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys with much better chops."[2] JazzTimes praised Larry Young's "fearsome long tones and wobbly distortions" and "psychedelic, dissonant harmonies."[13] Vibe deemed Turn It Over "one of the most violent, raucous recordings ever to issue from a noted jazz musician."[10] The Guardian called it "tougher" than the debut, singling out the cover of "Big Nick".[12]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "To Whom It May Concern - Them" | Chick Corea | 4:18 |
2. | "To Whom It May Concern - Us" | Corea | 2:58 |
3. | "This Night This Song" | Tony Williams | 3:45 |
4. | "Big Nick" | John Coltrane | 2:43 |
5. | "Right On" | Williams | 1:52 |
6. | "Once I Loved" | Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes, Ray Gilbert | 5:05 |
7. | "Vuelta Abajo" | Williams | 4:57 |
8. | "A Famous Blues" | John McLaughlin | 4:15 |
9. | "Allah Be Praised" | Larry Young | 4:39 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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10. | "One World" (originally released as a UK single, 1970) | McLaughlin | 3:45 |
Total length: | 38:36 |