This was
Specter
's fifth album for
Delmark Records
. It saw the Chicago guitarist team up with singer/harpslinger
Lynwood Slim
(who wrote or co-wrote four of the songs) and organist
Jack McDuff
. A smooth and easy listen,
Left Turn on Blue
shuffles, swings, and bops at the juncture of blues and jazz. From the blues chestnut
"Party Girl"
to the
Albert Collins
instrumental
"Tremble"
to the steady jazz groove of
Slim
's
"Stop! Hold It,"
this is a very classy album. The horns are nicely done, and jazz buffs will particularly enjoy
's brief interjections of other tunes into the songs:
"Til the End of Time,"
"Unleavened Soul,"
and
"Killer Jack."
~ Ann Wickstrom