He’s made his reputation as a sideman for the likes of Earl Klugh, Jonathan Butler, Roberta Flack, Patti Austin, Gerald Albright and Dave Koz, so you know sax man and flutist Elan Trotman knows how to play to an R&B groove. Here, he puts a Caribbean spin on material ranging from originals to Jobim and Stevie Wonder, ending up with an upbeat and cheerful disc that used to be called “contemporary jazz” before Kenny G turned everything that didn’t have 10 minute solos into the term “Smooth.”
His tenor on the reggae-infested “Master Blaster” is rich and vibrant, while his back beat grooved “Bridgtown To Beantown” has him on a nice flute passage while guest Jeff Lorber supplies the keyboards. Tropical treats are in abundance with “Funkalypso” which includes the drums and programming of Terri Lyne Carrington, while the closing “Wave” has an irresistible drive. Completely unbeguiling and undemanding, this is music to help you forget your troubles, and not worry about the hassles of these (literally) taxing times.
Woodward Avenue Records