German-born
Steffen Kuehn
performed for and worked with The Platters, Marilyn McCoo, Bob Hope,
John Handy, Mark Levine, John Fedchock, Chico Freeman, Tim Hagans, Ray
Obiedo, Kenny Werner, Ray DeLa Paz, The Temptations, Evelyn
‘Champagne’ King, The 4 Tops, Ray Sepulveda, Lydia Pense & Cold Blood,
Lefty Perez to name a few. After his debut album Now Or Later
(2002), Trumpop is Steffen's second release on his own label
Stefrecords. Steffen was supported by producer Peter Horvath
(Victor Bailey) who plays keyboards and synth bass on two tunes,
and recording engineer Ray Obiedo (Herbie Hancock, George Duke) who also performs his famous guitar on this
ambitious album.
Further guest musicians are Nelson Braxton
(bass), Brian Collier (drums), Karl Perazzo (percussion, Marty Wehner
(trombone), Norbert Stachel (saxes), Jeff Cressman (trombone), Carla
Helmbrecht, Kenny Washington, Claudia Villela, Larry Batiste and Sandy
Griffith (vocals). Steffen mesmerizes the audience with his mute
trumpet on the magic and melancholic Trumpop. The lead trumpet
is accompanied by a horn section and additionally by Peter Horvath's
keyboards. This title song was a theme in the Miramax movie ‘Birthday
Girl’, starring Nicole Kidman and Ben Chaplin.
We are waiting for the spring in Germany. It's
snowing in March and Spring Ain't Here. This song was
originally recorded and written by Pat Metheney for his popular album
Letter From Home (1989). This formidable album is packed with
accessible tunes often played by smooth jazz radio stations. Steffen
delivers a superb cover with a high appeal. Peter Horvath masters
Lyle's part perfectly.
On Above The Fold Norbert Stachel (alto
sax) and Jeff Cressman (trombone) join forces and create together with
Steffen an excellent horn arrangement, sounds like Greg Adams' Tower
Of Power or Tom Scott's Smoking Section. Peter's piano performance is
the icing on the cake. Through The Fire was a major hit of
Chaka Khan taken from her album I Feel For You in 1984. This
song is ideal for Steffen because Chaka extensively uses horn-powered
funk and keyboard tapestry on her albums. Steffen's cover is featuring
singer Kenny Washington melting with Steffen's trumpet to a fantastic
sound in the attitude of EWF.
Utopia underlines this impression. Friends
of EWF and Herb Alpert will love this song, there are definitely
reminiscences and influences.
Norbert Stachel
(alto sax) and Jeff Cressman
(trombone)
are a strong
backbone of this horn formation. The romantic ballade For All The
Things is featuring songstress Carla Helmbrecht, who also wrote
the lyrics. Carla is best known for her warm vocal styling
in
the tradition of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson. Her
album Be Cool Be Kind (2001) received three Grammy nominations,
two for Carla and one for Peter Horvath.
Blue In Green was recorded by Miles Davis
for his ground-breaking album Kind of Blue (1959). Miles's
elegant sometimes sustained style is predestined for an easy and
appealing listening. Enticing for Steffen's sultry cover. The Bossa
Nova ballade Sleepless Nights is featuring singer Claudia
Villela. Claudia was born in Rio de Janeiro and is performing in the
Bay Area since 1984. Her album Inverse Universe received high
acclaims. Her warm vocals create the ideal ground for Steffen Kuehn
brilliant trumpet solo.
The title The Sky Is The Limit suggest the
endlessness of open air. And that is the way Steffen's melody line
goes. Steffen's homage to New York City NYC mirrors not a
city of traffic and pulsing life as many other musicians interpret
their impressions. No, there is a solid melancholy in the air. This
mood reminds of the film noir of the 50's. I especially like the
background of the horn-section. Superb Peter's solo in the style of
Gary Burton.
Steffen Kuehn approach to record a smooth jazz
album convinces. Steffen and the other musicians of this album are
high-professional and the intention to entertain is fulfilled.
Nevertheless Steffen doesn't deny his jazz roots and so this album has
a quality other musicians have to strive for.
