Darren Rahn: Talk of the Town

Multi-tracking and programming, while they may reduce the opportunities available for actual living sidemen on sessions, can certainly cut costs and sometimes better ensure the desired finished product that an artist and/or producer is seeking. On the funky title tune of his new CD, Talk of the Town, for example, saxophonist-producer Darren Rahn impressively displays his versatility, playing tenor, various keyboards, doing the drum programming, and arranging the horn section that he and his brass-playing twin brother Jason layer so delightfully and skillfully onto this cut.

After some provocative opening electronic reverberations, Rahn's tenor soulfully plays the insinuating groove of the line over hard-nosed bass and drum rhythms. The spunky horn section riffs accentuate the danceable ambiance. Rahn's tone and delivery have appealing qualities similar to those of David Sanborn. The out-chorus, with Rahn wailing away and the horns vamping no end, recalls not only Sanborn, but alsofrom back in the daythe Brecker Brothers.