Jumpin' Off

• Artist: Richard Elliot
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1997
• Total Time: 90:02
• Genre: Jazz

Review

One of contemporary jazz's most durable and popular saxmen, Richard Elliot has also been one of the genre's most self-sufficient. His 1986 debut album Initial Approach was produced by Henry Lewy (of Joni Mitchell Court and Spark fame), but Elliot took the reins on the eight subsequent albums that have made his tenor a smooth jazz radio staple. In Paul Brown, Elliot made the perfect decision for his first collaboration with an outside producer, both sonically, creatively and -- with an eye towards keeping himself viable in an everchanging marketplace -- commercially. The result of this collaboration, Jumpin' Off lives up to its title; this easygoing, slow-sizzling set is very different from his usual aggressive style, with tunes that slowly envelop rather than explode in your face. His longtime fans, however, will have no trouble taking the leap of faith. "Contents under pressure" might be a good way to describe many of the tracks. Elliot's trademark has always been his searing, gritty intensity and high and low dynamics, grabbing hold of a note and pushing it higher, then holding it for seconds at a time before reaching back down for the lower register. But on floating, free-flowing ballads like "One Last Kiss" and "All Night," he holds back and caresses the notes, rather than attack them. With hooks enhanced by subtle horn doubling, the bubbly, creamy effect is like go-down-easy Grover Washington, Jr.. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Jumpin' Off	Richard Elliot, Steve Dubin, Dave Reinhardt, Ron Reinhardt, P. Brown	Richard Elliot	(4:53)
All Night	Richard Elliot, Steve Dubin, Mitchel Forman, P. Brown	Richard Elliot	(5:24)
If You Want My Love	Siedah Garrett, Robbie Nevil, Steve Dubin	Richard Elliot	(4:29)
Here and Now	Terry Steele, DJ Fuze	Richard Elliot	(5:12)
Tell Me About It	Richard Elliot, Paul Brown, Steve Dubin	Richard Elliot	(4:09)
Slow Burn	Richard Elliot, Paul Brown, Michael Egizi	Richard Elliot	(5:40)
In the Groove	Richard Elliot, Dan Shea, P. Brown	Richard Elliot	(4:16)
One Last Kiss	Steve Dubin, P. Brown, Tim Hientz	Richard Elliot	(4:59)
Nobody Knows	Joe Rich, Don DuBose	Richard Elliot	(5:09)

Credits

Robbie Nevil (Keyboards), Richard Elliot (Sax (Soprano)), Richard Elliot (Sax (Tenor)), Richard Elliot (Main Performer), Peter White (Guitar), Paul Brown (Programming), Paul Brown (Producer), Paul Brown (Engineer), Paul Brown (Mixing), Lenny Castro (Percussion), Brian Culbertson (Keyboards), Steve Dubin (Programming), Steve Dubin (Producer), Michael Egizi (Keyboards), Michael Egizi (Programming), Mitchel Forman (Keyboards), Paul Jackson, Jr. (Guitar), Dan Shea (Keyboards), Dan Shea (Programming), Mike Sims (Guitar), Darcy Cloutier-Fernald (Art Direction), Ioannis (Art Direction), Pamela Springsteen (Photography), Stephen Jacaruso (Design), Charles Nasser (Assistant Engineer), Steven Hientz (Programming)