Crush

1	Crush 3:40
2	Q.T. 4:07
3	Still Sweet on You 4:19
4	If I Kissed You 4:14
5	Work All Night 4:09
6	Melrose Diner 4:27
7	Brand New Love Affair 4:11
8	Coco 4:48
9	Shotgun 3:27
10	Sticky Wicked 4:31

Barnes & Noble

Passion is the story for Richard Elliott, at least the kind that can be expressed through the tenor saxophone. On Crush, the acclaimed smooth-jazz stylist, and former member of Tower of Power, lays his from-the-heart sound out there on ten tracks that successfully mingle pop and funk with a sensual vibe thick enough to slice. With instrumental support from keyboardist Jeff Lorber on a few choice cuts, and vocal power supplied by Jonathan Butler (who takes a winning turn on "If I Kissed You"), Sue Ann Carwell (enlivening the slinky "Brand New Affair"), and Siedah Garrett (who handles background vocals on two tracks), Elliott has produced one of his most memorable recordings. His take on the Motown classic "Shotgun," (originally recorded by Junior Walker and the All-Stars) features a stinging guitar solo from Jeff Golub and plenty of the leader's sassy sax playing. It's a fun performance on a most entertaining album. William Pearl

All Music Guide

Somewhere between the smooth silkiness of R&B and the technically proficient slickness of jazz lies the genre known as quiet storm, which artists like Kenny G have ridden to popularity. With its programmed beats, laid-back grooves, stylized production, and romance, it's a bit of surprise to hear someone like Richard Elliott signed to Verve's subsidiary label, GRP, try his hand at this, but he has solid chops, and his sax soloing fits right in the quiet storm groove. The title track and "Work All Night" make things a little funky at times. ~ Bret Love, All Music Guide