Elan Trotman - This Time Around (2009)

Those who enjoy their smooth jazz exceptionally smooth should look no further than ‘This Time Around’, the brand new release from Barbadian sax-man Elan Trotman. It is Trotman’s fourth CD and the first that majors specifically on contemporary jazz yet, given his previous efforts were built around themes of Caribbean music, gospel and jazz; one wonders what took him so long to find a smooth groove. However, found it he has and with thirteen original tunes plus two covers there is more than enough on offer for Trotman to show that this is where he belongs.

Indeed never has the term ‘radio friendly’ seemed more appropriate for a collection that, with the easy paced easy on the ear ‘Lil’ Too Late’, starts out exactly as it intends to continue. More of the enticing same comes courtesy of ‘Crusin’ where the guitar of Tyrone Chase merges magically with Trotman’s cool playing and when Chase returns for ‘100 Degrees’ the result is more free flowing smooth jazz that is way above the norm.

Perhaps with so much original material on display the inclusion of two covers might be deemed unnecessary. However Trotman does a really amazing job with the Bill Withers classic ‘Lovely Day’ and when he closes out the album with a boisterous take on the rock anthem ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ there is nothing whatsoever to criticize.

Interesting programming and an infectious hook are both key components of the mid tempo ‘Conversation’ and although the title cut stays smooth it does so in a straight ahead kind of a way. It’s a track that benefits from a sumptuous piano solo by Odie Tekken and when Trotman again takes a mildly straight ahead route to the brassy ‘It’s Alright’ he tempers it by injecting some great R & B tinged backing vocals. In fact there are several tunes with which Trotman demonstrates a real penchant for smooth R & B. The uplifting old school groove of ‘Oh How We Were Meant To Be’ is helped in no small part by the singing voice of Ahmir and just as good is the equally soulful ‘With You’. The enchanting ‘As Long As I Got You’ shimmers with the twin delights of vocals from Neil L’elandre and excellent trombone by Derrick White while the emotional tones of Athene Wilson adds considerably to the urban lilt of ‘4-05 PM’.

‘Oh Yeah Do It’ was written by fellow Barbados native Obadele Thompson in response to a request from Trotman for something ‘the young kids would like’. Judging by its street wise hip hop attitude it should fit the bill just fine while completely different is the lusciously horn driven ‘Me n’ My 22’s’. Notable for the obvious synergy between Trotman and Patriq Moody on trumpet, the catchy hook works to perfection but that said although Trotman predominately deals in a mid tempo groove he is often at his best when turning down the tempo one notch further. A case in point is the smoky and heavily programmed ‘Nu Skool 2 Kool’ which, in every respect, is a real winner.