Rayse Biggs - For The Love Of It



Now I'm no expert but here's hoping that a 'dual horn playing technique' doesn't actually involve playing two trumpets at once, because that would be unnatural and just plain wrong!

Back in the real world, Rayse Biggs has performed with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Stitt, Donald Byrd and countless others, but like many jazz performers these days, his own muse takes him off in the direction of smooth jazz. However, his own trumpet style actually adds a welcome, abrasive edge to what's going on, lifting it out from what can be a dull, background style.

So, while a track called 'Melodic Breeze' is, on the surface, exactly that, dig a little deeper and you'll find Rayse paddling away for all he's worth. And it's when you have these opposites pulling away at each other that this works best. 'Love In Your Heart' is another one where there is a hard edge to the ostensibly smooth stylings. He also throws in the odd, seventies, soulful vibe which greatly eases digestion.

It's an interesting style and a very listenable album.