Jazz Articles

Turning Point: Matador

by Woodrow Wilkins
November 3, 2005

Turning Point is a small group with a big sound. By throwing in a little funk, a little salsa, and lots of sizzle on Matador, this quartet, assisted by two guest musicians, blends a variety of cultures in creating its own brand of rock-jazz.

One of the nice things about a group like this is that its music can fit into a variety of genres--rock, R&B, smooth jazz, or fusion. Naturally, these players have opened for a diverse array of ...

Turning Point: Matador

by John Kelman
August 12, 2005

While smooth jazz has evolved into a kind of horrifying “S word for a lot of jazz fans, it grew out of a kind of contemporary post-fusion sensibility that, at least in its earliest days, still valued strong playing and enough diversity to keep things interesting. Matador--Phoenix-based Turning Point's sixth release and first for the Native Language imprint--harkens back to a time when it was more than programmed grooves and saccharine solos, when groups like the Crusaders and guitarists like ...