The long anticipated release of Driving Force, 3rd Force's seventh recording on Higher Octave Music, adds an exhilarating chapter to the multi-faceted, gently exotic groove-oriented instrumental phenomenon that's been a mainstay of the smooth jazz format since the ensemble's self-titled 1994 debut. Featuring performances by Marc Antoine, Eric Darius, Brian Hughes, and Tom Scott, the album marks a bigger in-your-face sound for the band, honoring vintage Motor City funk and the original '70s urban cool.