Saxophonist Elan Trotman is unwavering in his committed to wave
the flag high for Caribbean music, but after releasing six soul-jazz albums and
more than ten chart-topping singles that made him a permanent fixture on radio
playlists, the Barbados native is “shaking it up” by going electronic on
“Electro Sax,” his seventh outing which was released last Friday (April 21) by
Island Muzik Productions.
Seeking a
“hip radio sound that will reach beyond the masses,” Trotman assembled a
creative team of up-and-coming producers – Spardakis, P-Nut, Dr. O and Da Troof
- who he met at Boston’s esteemed Berklee College of Music and tasked them with
putting a fresh, modern twist on the eleven new tracks that he wrote for the
collection. With electronic elements evident in the production of Trotman’s
tenor and soprano sax and the adventurous EDM sonicscapes, the result is an
energizing, dance-happy mix of impromptu jazz sax licks, kinetic dance beats
and festive Caribbean rhythms. Adding nuances to the audacious alchemy are
guitarists Wayne Jones, Freddie Fox and JJ Sansavarino, and steel pan player
Kareem Thompson. The first single set to seduce radio is the reggae-infused
“Island Gal’,” which spotlights Trotman on soprano sax on the cut he describes
as having “a sexy vibe to it.” Prince fans will appreciate the balladic tribute
“Purple Emotion” that closes the set. The session’s lone cover is a tropical,
dance hall take of Walk The Moon’s infectious pop smash “Shut Up and
Dance.”
“’Electro
Sax’ is a true representation of where I am at in my career. It’s modern
sounding with prominent hints of the island. It’s also about branching out,
reaching out by making good music for the masses. It’ll definitely ruffle
feathers, but that is part of being an artist - pushing boundaries and perhaps
establishing new ones,” said Trotman. “The ‘tropicality’ elements are part of
who I am and I’m sticking with it. It’ll always be part of my sound and I
believe in it. It is part of my brand and it’s authentic to my (Barbadian)
roots.”
Trotman
showcases and shares the culture of his homeland at his annual Barbados Jazz
Excursion, slated to take place on the Caribbean island for the fourth time in
October over Columbus Day Weekend (October 6-9, 2017). The saxman performs and
hosts the music festival and golf tournament that benefits his nonprofit Never
Lose Your Drive Foundation and the Head Start Music Program in Barbados. Slated
to perform this year are R&B and contemporary jazz mainstays Will Downing,
Norman Brown, Marion Meadows, Brian Simpson, Jeanette Harris and Julian Vaughn
as well as the Queen of Soca, Alison Hinds.
Earning a
full scholarship at Berklee College of Music from the government of Barbados,
Trotman has lived in Boston ever since. Named the Jazz Artist of the Year on
multiple occasions by the New England Urban Music Awards and the Barbados Music
Awards, he debuted as a solo artist in 2009 with “This Time Around.” Subsequent
albums featured collaborations with Grammy winners Kirk Whalum, Terri Lyne
Carrington and Paul Brown as well as Downing, Peter White, Jeff Lorber, Cindy
Bradley, Tony Terry and Simpson. Trotman has also guested on Billboard No. 1
hits by Meadows, Simpson, Vaughn, Greg Manning and Cal Harris. He’s a popular
draw on the festival and club circuit. For more information, please visit
www.ElanTrotman.com.
The songs on
“Electro Sax” are:
“Happy
Place”
“Electro
Sax”
“Barbados
Breeze”
“Island
Gal’”
“Chill Cat”
“Shut Up and
Dance”
“Up In The
Clouds”
“orutrA”
“No Need For
Trippin’”
“120 BPM”
“Move!”
“Purple
Emotion”
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