Emerging on the New York scene in the early 90s, saxophonist-composer Mark Turner has attained respected elder status to hordes of conservatory students who emulate his postmodernist approach to his horn. He explores that unique language on this magnum opus. Named after the 1912 book by author and Civil Rights activist James Weldon Johnson, this compelling 10-movement suite incorporates Turner’s own narration of Johnson’s text, set in post-Reconstruction America. Fronting a stellar quintet featuring trumpeter Jason Palmer and drummer Nasheet Waits, Turner plays technically superb and cutting-edge tenor throughout, and particularly on swingers like “New York” and “Europe,” the whirlwind free jazz number “The Texan,” the probing modal number “Pragmatism,” and the technically challenging “Pulmonary Edema.” Pianist David Virelles provides cascading accompaniment and dynamic soloing on “Anonymous” and “Juxtaposition” while displaying sensitivity on the chamber-like “Mother…Sister…Lover” and “Identity Politics.” For the ambient opening to “New York,” Virelles switches to Sun Ra-ish synthesizer while upright bassist Matt Brewer switches to electric. Turner’s latest finds him taking a giant step in his career.