Mark Turner’s writing for his quartet on Return From The Stars (titled after Stanislav Lem’s science fiction novel) gives the players plenty of space in which to move, on an album both exhilarating and thoughtful in its arc of expression. Solos flow organically out of the arrangements and, beneath the often-dazzling interplay of Turner’s tenor and Jason Palmer’s trumpet, the rhythm section of Joe Martin and Jonathan Pinson roams freely.

Although Turner has been a frequent presence on ECM in contexts including the Billy Hart Quartet, the Fly trio, and a duo with Ethan Iverson, Return from the Stars is his first quartet album since 2014’s Lathe of Heaven and an essential document of his artistry as a player and his conceptual thinking as a bandleader.

Mark Turner: saxophone

Jason Palmer: trumpet

Joe Martin: double bass

Jonathan Pinson: drums

“Within this quietly chamber-musical cloister Mark Turner is so at home in, Return From The Stars is close to perfect.” – **** Jazzwise (Editor’s Choice)

“The dreamy equanimity of Turner and Palmer belies the friction in their deft, contrapuntal sallies. The pair offer plenty of solo passages, but they’re extraordinary when they improvise together, spinning elegant lines that might nudge the other, but without every upsetting an easy flow.” – The Quietus

“This is an excellent album that will satisfy listeners already appreciative of Turner’s music and should draw many others towards his distinctive musical vision.” – LondonJazz News