Visit Rick Braun's website. Order this CD at CDnow for $12.58.

When you hear Rick Braun first single on his new CD, the title track to Kisses in the Rain, you immediately know why he is without a doubt the king of smooth-jazz trumpet. The seductive melody wraps itself inside your head for days, Braun's flugelhorn wailing away. If there is a sure thing in smooth jazz these days, it's Braun. How can you go wrong when you've got Paul Brown as a co-producer and bring along such heavyweight guest stars as Peter White, Norman Brown and Ricky Peterson? Add to that the Fourplay rhythm section on a couple of tunes, Nathan East and Harvey Mason, and you've got yourself a hit. Speaking of musicians, Euge Groove blows a tasty sax line behind Braun's lead trumpet on a cover of Bill Wither's "Use Me," a very funky interpretation. Braun fans, however, will note that the trumpeter veers in a slightly different direction this time around. Sure, there are some pretty smooth songs: the beautiful "Emma's Song," the tropical-ish "Middle of the Night," with Kevyn Lattau's vocals sliding in and out of the groove, but Braun pumps more retro funk and soul into this than his last CD, "Full Stride." "Car Wash 2000," which begins the CD, plays long a long jam session from the '70s, while "Your World" has the same '70s vibe, a classic soul song with vocals by Sue Ann Carwell. And "Song For the Girls" is given extra meat by a horn section. Braun pays tribute to Grover Washington Jr. with "Grover's Groove," sounding very Earth, Wind & Fire-ish, and covers Leon Russell's well-known "Song For You," given a soulful vibe by the R&B group Shai. Smooth grade: A

Visit Doc Powell's website. Order this CD at CDnow for $14.49.

Veteran guitarist Doc Powell makes his Samson Records debut with Life Changes (Samson), an assured work that marks the presence of a polished professional. The 13 songs feature Powell's trademark soul and R&B flourishes, but also has enough jazz elements to keep things interesting, while allowing him plenty of space to show his technical skills (such as on the 51-second "We'll Make It Last Theme"). Powell, like many before and after him, has a touch of Wes Montgomery in his playing - those who enjoy wordless vocals over Montgomery-like chord clusters will certainly enjoy tunes such as "Life Changes" (vocals by Kenny Rankin and Charlotte Pope, piano by Bob James) and "Yours Unconditionally." Overall, the CD is mellower than 1997's Don't Let the Smooth Jazz Fool Ya; in many ways the CD is contemplative and searching, even on upbeat songs such as "Cruisin." Just listen to "Tell Her Love Has Felt The Need," a ballad with vocals by former Temptations singer Ollie Woodson handling vocals. There are plenty of killer hooks, most noticeably on "Brother to Brother," with Patrice Rushen's piano taking turns with Powell's singing guitar. Life Changes is certainly Powell's best CD. He's managed to fuse traditional jazz elements with recognizable smooth jazz grooves to make a CD that is truly memorable. Smooth grade: A

Visit Freddie Ravel's website. Order this CD at CDnow for $14.49.

Latin-flavored music is as much a part of smooth jazz and sax- and guitar-led CDs, and keyboardist Freddie Ravel kicks it up a notch with Freddie Ravel (GRP), a tasty mix of Down South influences that draw from cumbia, salsa, bolero and other styles are served up in a palatable smooth jazz setting. Ravel explored these influences in previous CDs, but his latest shows that this is the type of music Ravel was born to play. "Echo de Amor," which opens the CD, is as catchy and romantic as the best Marc Antoine, and just happens to feature the guitarist on lead. The CD closes with an another, shorter version of the song, with Ravel trading riffs with Antoine's flamenco stylings. Guitarist Peter White co-wrote and plays on two songs: "Bolerino Bella," a romantic ditty and Ravel's bright, lounge-like tinklings; and "Conversations," a breezy jaunt enhanced by the In & Out Horns. Authentic Latin rhythms are introduced in "Dame Tu Calor," which has a samba beat, guitars by Strunz and Farah and Ravel singing the Spanish-language lyrics, and in "Samba Mundial," a whirl of percussion, horns, piano and Michael O'Neill's electric guitar. Ravel is less successful with "Love Is in the Air...When You're Aware," which sounds like an attempt at a hit on Santana's "Smooth" coattails. Overall, though, the CD is recommended for smooth jazz fans with a taste for things Latin. Smooth grade: B

Visit Larry Antonio's website.

Those who enjoy the electric bass guitar as the lead, and I count myself among them, will enjoy Village Strut by Larry Antonio (Larry Antonio). This one is self-released by Antonio, so it might be hard to find, but it is definitely worthy. Rob Mullins, Steve Oliver, Ron Pedley, Dave Hooper and Freddie Ravel are featured, and Antonio is a first-rate bassist and keyboardist who knows his way around melodic, memorable tunes: listen to "Santa Ana" or "Village Strut." Antonio also throws in some wordless phrasing, to great effect. Worth checking out. Smooth grade: B

Contact: (843) 406-9106

In Playing Outside, electric guitarist and composer Edison West is free to roam around musical boundaries since his CD is self-distributed and he doesn't have to answer to suits. West has something different going on here, but sticks to enough smooth jazz conventions while tossing in plenty of fresh musical ideas. Initial impressions are important, and West sounds like he draws on ideas from the late '80s and even earlier, when smooth jazz was much rawer but still written with three-minute pop songs in mind. A primary asset here is keyboardist J.D. Wilston, whose initial synth in "Count Me In" you just don't here in this genre anymore, a puzzling development. He's talented and provides the CD's killer hook moment on "Playing Outside." West is just as talented on the strings, whether gliding melodically on "Ack-Potion Fred" and the reggae-flavored "Gort Baringa" or banging out rock riffs on "Been There." I liked this CD a lot - it took me back a bit to a place that wasn't so bad, and it's refreshing to hear a CD that was made because an artist simply had to, not because a record label said it was time. Just don't ask what some of those titles mean - no clue Smooth grade: B+

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Added: 5/3/2001