Smooth jazz trumpeter, RICK BRAUN has just launched his newest long player – the 10 tracker, ‘Crossroads’. The title, Rick says, comes from the fact that he sees himself lucky to be at the cross roads of different styles and sounds… comfortable working with people as varied as Sade, Tom Petty and REO Speedwagon- as well as, of course, the usual smooth jazz suspects. And amongst those “suspects” helping out on ‘Crossroads’ are Peter White, Philipe Saisse, Richard Elliot, Greg Phillinganes and Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis.

The album is a mix of eight originals and two covers – Bruno Mars’ ‘Versace On The Floor’ and Stevie Wonder’s ‘I Wish’. That latter is the set’s funkiest and feistiest cut – most of the rest (with the exception of the tight soul groove, ‘Around The Corner’) are gentle builders allowing Braun to exploit the beauty and potential of his horn with and without mute.

Amongst the highlights are the lovely chill out cut ‘The Moment I Saw You’ and ‘Bahia’ – the LP’s obligatory Latin track.

RICK BRAUN: ‘Crossroads’ – out now on Shanachie Records.