Oct. 12, 2011

Well, from the opening notes of “Island Style” from saxman Richard Elliot’s latest release, In the Zone, you know you want to crank it up. The groove is that enticing and so Elliot. Again, the iconic saxophonist with the distinctly soulful touch turns it on with jazzy runs, soulful rhythms, memorable melodies, and tight, catchy hooks.

Teaming with producer and keyboard wiz Jeff Lorber (the two are certainly no strangers to working together), who also works out on guitar here and whose own fingerprints are found all over this project, Elliot sets out in party mode again with the class that he always exudes. Other familiars here include bassist Nate Philips, guitarist Dwight Sills, percussionist Lenny Castro, and horn man/arranger David Mann.

Aside from the airtight interpretation of the late Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler),” Elliot and Lorber knock out the compositional element of this one all by themselves — with the exception of a pair of tracks on which they’re helped with the pen by Dawn Morales (“Just A Taste”) and Steve Dubin (“Golden Triangle”).

Overall, this is a CD not unlike the much earlier material from Elliot (After Dark, Chill Factor, Crush, etc.). Full of sweet grooves, spunk, and slick but not frenzied drive. By now, track 2, “Boom Town,” has climbed impressively up the charts, I’m sure. Not to be outdone, tracks like “Bring It!” and the previously mentioned Marvin Gaye cover provide the phatness we’ve come to expect from this saxman, while the laid-back and seductive coolness of tunes like “Just A Taste” round out the CD well.

The choreographed dance between Elliot and Lorber on many tracks both contrast and complement each other so well (the lead track provides a great example).  The obviously meticulous manner with which this project was produced truly places it—and listeners—In The Zone. – Ronald Jackson