Richard Elliot - Metro Blue (2005)

Tenor saxophonist Richard Elliot was a member of the legendary horn line in Tower of Power, so it's no surprise that funky and soulful grooves empower Metro Blue. From the cascading lines in the opening "Inside Out" to the ethereal balladry of the closing title track, Elliot's playing ties the set together with undeniable personality. Urban and nocturnal in character, the ten songs are infused with a sense of the organic, through those warm and human sax lines. Trumpet and flugelhorn player Rick Braun is also a key member, playing off of, or in tandem with, Elliot. He also co-produced and his keyboard elements add an emotional layer throughout, such as when he utilizes the sound of pizzicato strings on "People Make the World Go Round." -- David Greenberger