Trumpeter Rick Braun has released Christmas and “With Strings” albums in the past, but here he gets back to what made him one of the studs of smooth/contemporary jazz. He’s still got a gorgeous and velvety tone, and gets back into the R&B groove like an Earth Wind and Fire reunion on this session made for the dance floor. Irresistible backbeats and grooves abound on pieces such as “Dr. Funkenstein,” “Delta” and “Get Up and Dance” while the hip gospel backbeat of Al Green’s “Take ME To The River” includes the soulful voice of Elliott Yamin. Some hefty wacka wooka guitar is provded by “Adam Hawley and Randy Jacobs throughout, and Brandon Fields brings in his tenor and baritone saxes for some thick lava lamp sounds. Mellower pieces such a “Mallorca” and “Another Kind of Blue” have Braun’s horn glow in the dark, as guest Jeff Lorber comes in for a couple cameos as on the hip “Radar.” Bring your dancing shoes for this one.
Artistry Music