Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Rick Braun: can you feel it

Rick Braun: can you feel it

By Walter Atkins
April 6, 2015
View read count

Celebrated trumpeter

Rick Braun

trumpet
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Rick Braun's release can you feel it is aptly titled. The veteran purveyor of the smooth jazz sound does not disappoint on his latest offering. Some of Braun's musical friends on this eleven song collection include:

Brian Culbertson

keyboards
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Brian Culbertson-piano, Euge Goove-tenor sax,

Jeff Lorber

keyboards
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Lorber-keyboards and guitar,

Dave Koz

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Koz-tenor sax, and

Nate Phillips

" data-original-title="" title="">Nate Phillips-bass.

In typical Braun fashion, the entire record production is clean and at a high standard. The title and first track "Feel It" has a breezy summer's day sensitivity to it that should put you in a relaxed state of mind. On the second song "Back To Back," the dependable band led by Braun, continues to roll along in the groove established by the opening track.

The popular trumpeter provides a pleasant surprise with

Al Green

vocals
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Al Green's 1974 gospel flavored hit "Take Me To The River." This is the sole vocal track presented here with a cool Braun intro and Elliot Yamin's bouncy interpretation of this soul/gospel classic. (Bryan Ferry,

Levon Helm

drums
1942 - 2012

" data-original-title="" title="">Levon Helm, Talking Heads and Foghat also recorded the song.)

The Braun/Harner composition "Get Up And Dance" is another fine example of Braun's signature sound. The horns are clear with the trumpet and saxophone working competently together.

"Another Kind Of Blue" is a mellow ballad delivered with Braun's lonely flugelhorn, giving the song a nice melancholy tinge. "Radar" is approached with the easy alacrity that Braun has consistently demonstrated throughout his long career. "Mallorca," "Delta," "Silk," and "The Dream" help contribute to the CD's overall ambience.

The album closes strongly with the Braun/Phillips/Gonzalez song "Dr. Funkenstein." In addition to the horns, the very capable rhythm section gets to stretch out. Bass and drums are prominent on the finale that actually rocks. This stand out tune is a great way to conclude Braun's latest record.

Successful songwriter/multi instrumentalist Rick Braun has recorded and produced another polished disc to add to your contemporary jazz collection. Braun's can you feel it will appeal to his loyal fans and supporters of the smooth jazz genre.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Can You Feel It; Back to Back; Take Me To The River; Mallorca; Get Up And Dance; Another Kind Of Love; Delta; Silk; Radar; The Dream; Dr. Funkenstein

Personnel

Rick Braun

trumpet

Rick Braun, trumpets, trombone, flugelhorn and keyboards; Brian Culbertson, piano; Phil Davis, piano; Brandon Fields, tenor and baritone sax; Mike Finnigan, Hammond B3; Richard Fremont, flute; John Gilutin, Hammond B3; Sergio Gonzalez, drums; Euge Goove, tenor sax; Adam Hawley, guitar; Randy Jacobs, guitar; Nathaniel Kearny Jr, bass; Dave Koz, tenor sax; Braylon Lacey, bass; Jeff Lorber, keyboards and guitar; Tony Moore, drums; Nate Phillips, bass; Frank Richardson, drums; Philippe Saisse, keyboards; Freddie Washington, bass; Elliot Yamin, vocals; Ramon Yslas, percussion

Album information

Title: can you feel it | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Artistry Music

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Climate Change
< Previous

Dave Ball: Never Gonna Touch The Gro...
Next >

Rick Braun Concerts

Sep 27 Sat

Rick Braun

Ludlow Garage
Cincinnati, OH

Oct 3 Fri

Rick Braun & Mindi Abair

Clyde Theatre
Fort Wayne, IN

Oct 24 Fri

Peter White, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot

Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
Newport Beach, CA

Oct 26 Sun

Rick Braun

Yoshi's Oakland
Oakland, CA

Oct 26 Sun

Rick Braun

Yoshi's Oakland
Oakland, CA

Nov 8 Sat

Saturday Night Of Elegance- Eric Benet | Richard Elliot |...

Hampton Roads Convention Center
Hampton, VA

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.