A positive, tongue-in-cheek attitude infuses the trumpeter's
Full Stride with a certain balmy optimism that contrasts with the dark moods of most of 1997's
Body and Soul -- and recalls the deeply grooving, party time atmosphere on his breakthrough
Beat Street (1995). His relaxed, fun-seeking attitude is apparent from the start, with the catchy light funk of
"A Very Good Thing" recalling the restless spirit of
Beat Street's
"Marty's Party"; he floats a percussive melody, complete with irresistible pop hooks, over his own tropical vibe harmony (on synth) and
Dave Palmer's alternating deep drum groove and insistent high-hat. More
Herb Alpert than
Miles. Likewise, he teams with keyboardist
Brian Culbertson and former
Rufus guitarist
Tony Maiden (who backs
Braun's fluegelhorn with an hypnotic clicking wah-wah effect throughout) to reflect the fast-paced street life of
"Hollywood and Vine." On
"One Love," he combines his muted trumpet with
Culbertson's acoustic piano as a harmonic backdrop to a dreamy, swaying fluegelhorn melody; the effect is a cool tension beneath a soaring spirit.
"China Bath" plays like background music at an Asian massage parlor.
Chuck Kentis finds a synth tone that approximates an Oriental stringed instrument, which he touches gracefully behind a gentle conversation by
Braun and
Peter White's acoustic guitar, all while a bubbly, trip-hop percussion groove rolls in the background. Then there is
Moon Calhoun's croaking synth bass backing
Braun's give and take with the echoing electric guitar of
Bruce Conte. Following the lead of
Chet Baker,
Braun even doubles his own gentle vocal scat with the horn on
"Magic Moment." ~ Jonathan Widran
