Blow Your Own Horn
is an anthology of concepts and production teams that mostly retrace the steps
Herb Alpert
had taken since "Rise," reflecting the steady hand of a seasoned pop instrumental pro. "Blow Your Own Horn," "The Midnight Tango," and "Garden Party" all try to emulate the laid-back, high-tech groove of "Rise" -- with the inimitable help of the latter's co-composer
Randy Badazz
-- and
Beyond
is given an extra tweaking by a hotter remix of the album's "Red Hot." The
Motown
triumvirate of
Holland-Dozier-Holland
shares the production chair with
Alpert
on two tracks;
Jose Quintana
of
Fandango
drops in for three more -- though the accent here is high-tech North America this time and not as inspired -- and there is a pleasant L.A.-session-flavored encounter with
Lee Ritenour
on "Paradise Cove." Not knowing which way to turn,
refines and consolidates, awaiting the next flash of creative fire. ~ Richard S. Ginell