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Richard
Elliot is an icon of smooth jazz. His soulful playing and
catchy melodies have made him a beloved figure in the genre.
He has rightly placed himself as a tenor saxophonist on the
same level as the legends Johnny Griffin, Gene Ammons,
Coleman Hawkins, Grover Washington Jr. and Michael Brecker,
all of whom have influenced him. His new album Straight
Up Down (2024) is another building block in cementing
this reputation.
The album was produced and mixed by Paul Brown, Euge Groove and Kevin Flournoy. Richard Elliot was accompanied by the studio musicians listed in the credits. An elaborate production with numerous musicians. Apart from one cover, the songs were written by the musicians involved.
The album opens with Very Delicious whereby not the taste buds but the auditory canals are addressed. The rhythm of the tune is influenced by John Handy's song Hard Work, a groundbreaking tune of the 70's. Jeffry Caruther and Richard Elliot bring the fire from the past into the present.
The dreamy Driftin' is the second song, Richard and Euge worked together for the first time. On Double Trouble Richard performs with multi-instrumentalist Shane Theriot creating an emotional impact to the audience.
The title song thematically ties in with Richard's album Authentic Life, on which he already apostolized virtues such as honesty and integrity. Richard increases the power of the song with the frequent repetition of a catchy phrase.
Richard has already lived out his love of old R&B songs from the 70s and 80s on his album Summer Madness. Drawing on this, he presents Tell Me (If You Still Care About Me), a song with which the SOS Band excelled in 1983 and which was written by the famous songwriting duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. He entrusts the realization of the cover to the proven hands of pianist Kevin Flournoy, who has a special connection to this music due to his musical past and collaboration with musicians such as Chaka Khan, Babyface, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Jeffrey Osborne, The Pointer Sisters and many more.
The title High Tide evokes powerful waves and the ebb and flow of the ocean. Featured artist is Paul Brown on guitar who is completely in his element with this instrument. On a softer level, Richard meets up with keyboardist Lew Laing on the song Beautiful, a tribute to Elliot’s wife Camella. An opportunity for him to showcase the full range of the tenor saxophone's sensitive intonation.
On Freestyle, Richard does not deviate from his melodic concept, contrary to what the title suggests. Artists like to use the last track of an album as a contemplative finale. As the Day Fades is no exception.
Richard Elliot delivers with Straight Up Down anew a captivating blend of soulful and thoughtfully crafted melodies solidifying Richard Elliot's place in the smooth jazz scene.
Buy the album in all stores
Album Information
Title: Straight Up Down
Artist: Richard Elliot
Year: 2024
Genre: Smooth Jazz
Label: Shanachie Entertainment
Tracks:
1) "Very Delicious" (5:13)
2) "Driftin'" (4:46)
3) "Double Trouble" (4:09)
4) "Straight Up Down" (3:40)
5) "Tell Me (If You Still Care About Me)" (4:59)
6) "High Tide" (4:07)
7) "Beautiful" (3:56)
8) "Freestyle" (3:47)
9) "As the Day Fades" (4:05)
Further reviews:
Summer Madness
In The Zone
Authentic Life
Jeff Caruthers (arrangement, guitar)
Tracy Carter (keys)
Cornelius Mims (bass)
Dan Needham (drums)
Lenny Castro (percussion)
Ricky Peterson (organ)
Caleb Middleton (arrangement)
Kyle Bolden (guitar)
Trevor Lawrence (drums)
Shane Theriot (keys, bass, guitars, drums, drum-programming, rhythm guitar)
Roberto Vally (bass)
Paul Brown (percussion, guitar)
Kevin Flournoy (arrangement, piano, electric piano)
Leon Alexander Jr.(drums)
Sekou Bunch-Bass
Darrell Crooks-Guitar
Ash Jangda-Guitar
Munyungo Jackson-Percussion
Lew Laing-Keys, Guitar
Jeffrey L. Smith-Guitars, Keys, Drum Programming
Background Vocalists: Phil Perry, Shannon Pearson, Kevin Dorsey, Lynne Fiddmont, Lamont Van Hook, Fred White, Valerie Pinkston
