Beat Street

1	Groovis 4:34
2	Poppa Dee 5:14
3	Club Harlem 5:05
4	I'll Be There for You 5:24
5	Philadelphia 5:51
6	Cadillac Slim 4:24
7	Xoum Ladya Fhada 4:49
8	Natalie 4:09
9	Ian's Blues 4:28
10	Walk the Walk 4:57
11	Marty's Party 4:26
12	[Untitled Hidden Track] 4:27

Barnes & Noble

A gifted trumpeter, composer, and producer, Rick Braun broke through with his 1995 album, BEAT STREET, which topped the smooth-jazz charts for 13 weeks and established Braun as one of the genre's major stars. Braun says he likes to get musicians together in the studio and see what happens, and BEAT STREET reflects the kind of spontaneous magic such collaborations can make. Saxophonist Boney James and the leader strike sparks on "Grooves," while Braun and his longtime friend guitarist Jeff Golub demonstrate their musical affinity on the sly, bluesy "Cedilla Slim." The slow-stepping "Club Harlem" features some deft playing by guitarist Peter White. Trusting in the interaction of talented friends, Braun found himself with a landmark recording. Lucy Tauss

All Music Guide

This good-natured release is a very enjoyable compilation of funk-inflected light jazz that fits Rick Braun's trumpet and flugelhorn around some excellent guitar playing (with lots of wah-wahs on show), steady bass and drums, and supportive keyboards (Braun also contributes the keyboard beds, but this aspect of his production tends not to be showy). Braun and his assorted players (who include Boney James, Jeff Golub and Peter White) have crafted some entertaining melodies that are often built on swaying, sneaky rhythms -- "Cadillac Slim" for one, and the devious "Papa Dee" for another. Braun's liner notes mention War (the band) more than once, and you can certainly pick up that influence this time around. In terms of approach, Braun kept things loose and improvisational for the recording -- no charts, no formalities, just a few ideas and a collaborative impulse that's paid off in the way the album flows together. Nice warm work that sneaks in under the guards. Steven McDonald