Rick Braun

Trumpet player Rick Braun follows up a series of No. 1 contemporary jazz albums with this collaboration with keyboardist/producer Philippe Saisse. The set is bookended by tributes to Braun's inspirations; "Tijuana Dance?" is for Herb Alpert, who got Braun into the trumpet as a kid, while "Freddie Was Here" is a tribute to the late Freddie Hubbard, who left Braun awestruck in college. Highlights include Saisse's moody title track; "Christiane," with keyboardist Jeff Lorber; and the upbeat disco cut "Berlin." This is a smooth jazz album, so there is a cut titled "Sleeveless in Seattle."