About This:
THIS TIME AROUND FEATURES ......... R&B Group Ahmir Tyrone Chase (Brian McKnight Band) Herman ‘P-Nut’ Johnson (Amarie Band) Chris Loftlin (Brian McKnight Band) Nikki Glaspie (Beyonce Band) Aaron Bellamy (Sam Kinninger Band) Davy Nathan (Toni Braxton Band) Derrick White (Ne-Yo Band) Andre Hayward (Lincoln Center Jazz Orch) Anthony Steel (Warren Hill Band) Evan ‘Da Troof’ Brice (Jo Jo Band) Coran Henley (Noel Gourdin band) Odie Teken Patriq Moody (Eli “Paperboy” Reid Band) Neil “Mista L’ L’etendre Athene Wilson Obadele Thompson Corin Ashley (Flipside) THIS TIME AROUND – LINER NOTES Elan Trotman has impressed a growing audience in the Boston area with his saxophone playing, ability to create catchy songs, and his recordings. Born and raised in Barbados, Elan graduated from Berklee and has emerged as an exciting force during his live performances on the East Coast. His tenor-saxophone playing, although inspired by Grover Washington Jr, Kirk Whalum and Boney James, features his own tone and fresh ideas. He offers listeners a new voice and approach. This Time Around is on the creative side of Smooth Jazz. “I enjoy the genre and the concept,” says Elan, “but I also broke some of the rules because this is how I play, bringing all of my different influences into the music. I stretched out, took chances and added an edge to my solos.” The result is a consistent but infectiously unpredictable set that covers a lot of ground. The opening selection, “Lil Too Late,” gained its title when one of Elan’s sidemen was late for a gig. The performance, which features Elan’s big-toned saxophone, a singable melody and some boppish unisons, has soloing that is a logical outgrowth of the song and vice versa. “This Time Around” includes concise solos from pianist Odie Tekken and bassist Chris Loftlin along with exciting breaks by Elan. The blend of Elan’s tenor and Patriq Moody’s trumpet on “Me & My 22’s” is as irresistible as the funky rhythms “100 Degrees” is quite celebratory, featuring an exciting tradeoff by Elan on soprano and guitarist Tyrone Chase. Conan Henley came up with very contemporary ideas for the programming of “Nu Skool 2 Kool.” “Oh How We Were Meant To Be” features Ahmir, an important up-and-coming r&b vocal group from Boston. “For ‘With You,’ I asked my friend Neil L’etendre to add some Michael Jackson-esque singing. I write lyrics so they can be for a variety of people, a family member, a special friend or a spiritual relationship.” “4:05 p.m.” is a hypnotic riff with passionate background singing from Elan and Athene Wilson. “Cruisin,’” which has Elan switching to flute, is a feature for guitarist Chase whose playing on this piece recalls George Benson in spots. “As Long As I Got You,” which teams Elan with trombonist Derrick White, has a groove that could easily cross over and be played on an r&b radio station. “Conversation” is a wordless conversation between Elan and his audience. “It’s Alright” serves as a change of pace, a Roy Hargrove-type jazz piece in which Elan, trombonist Andre Hayward and trumpeter Patriq Moody have opportunities to stretch out. “I told Obadele Thompson, an athlete from Barbados who is also a producer and a musician, to send me something that young kids would like. ‘Oh Yeah Do It’ came out very well.” Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day” is a real crowdpleaser for Elan at his shows and on this version he turns Nikki Glaspie (Beyonce’s drummer) loose. The uplifting “Don’t Stop Believing” concludes the memorable program. This Time Around is a major step forward for Elan Trotman, who is ready to make his mark on the contemporary music world. Scott Yanow, Author of ten jazz books including The Jazz Singers, Jazz On Record 1917-76 and Jazz On Film