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
'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
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
's give and take with the echoing electric guitar of
Bruce Conte
. Following the lead of
Chet Baker
,
even doubles his own gentle vocal scat with the horn on
"Magic Moment."
~ Jonathan Widran