The
summer is not hot enough. Paul Taylor lets it burn with his new album
scheduled for release July 21, 2009 on Peak Records. It's Paul fifth
release on this label and it looks like Paul keeps the standard high.
After the tremendous success of his previous album Ladies Choice
Paul teamed up again with the producers
Barry Eastmond and
Rex Rideout following the chart-topping concept.
But there is a change in the
instruments. Paul plays instead of soprano and alto sax the tenor sax
on nine of the ten tracks. Playing the tenor sax requires more
physical strength. “The focus on the tenor happened by very happy
accident,” Paul comments. “I thought it would be cool to bring my
tenor along with my soprano and alto to the sessions which kicked off
the project. When I got to the studio and opened up my cases, I saw
that the soprano was damaged. It made sense to use both alto and tenor
to start writing, and I really started liking the way the lower tones
of the tenor sounded.
One of Barry’s strengths in jazz is
producing the tenor, so we just kept rolling with it. It’s got a
gutsier sound and as things turned out, lent itself to the retro ‘70s
soul sounds that naturally emerged from our writing and recording
sessions. I always think back to that Junior Walker ‘Shotgun’ blast
and this was just my time to go in this direction.”
Back in the Day
awakes memories of wonderful summer days full of emotion and joy.
Grover Washington Jr. is in the air. Balladeer Billy Cliff shines with
a charisma like Michael McDonald. The similarity is undeniable.
Paul conjures anew the spirit of the
past with Revival. The song reminds me of the music of Harold
Melvin & the Blue Notes, the great time and spirit of Philadelphia
International.
Groove Shack continues this
impression with a great party jam. The slow tune Remember the Love
is the invitation to a dance with your beloved woman.
The title song Burnin' is a
definitive head bopper and summer hit.
Darrel Crooks (guitar) and Michael
White (drums) are delivering the funky background. All is in the
groove. Side Pocket is a good example for Paul's perfect sax
and overdub technique.
On It's Like That Barry Eastmond
shows why the Clavinet is still an in-demand instrument after all this
time. Juke Joint was formerly a place for music, dancing,
gambling, and drinking, primarily operated by African American people
in the southeastern United States. You will certainly remember Quincy
Jones' same-named title. Paul Taylor incorporates in his song the
spirit of this early entertainment.
The heavy funk song Me and Baby
Brother was originally recorded by the group War for the album
Deliver The Word (1973). Paul offers a modern contemporary version
less raw than the original. With So Fine Paul closes his album.
A smooth jazz groove ready for take off on every radio station.
Paul Taylor's Burnin' is a
welcomed mix of music of the past and today. A substrate of both
worlds with a great emotional portion.
- Album Information
Title: Burnin'
Artist: Paul Taylor
Year: 2009
Length: 0:41:47
Genre: General Jazz
Label: Peak Records
Tracks:
01 Back in the Day [4:08]
02 Revival [4:23]
03 Groove Shack [4:08]
04 Remember the Love [4:32]
05 Burnin’ [3:54]
06 Side Pocket [4:20]
07 It’s Like That [4:10]
08 Juke Joint [4:00]
09 Me and Baby Brother [4:09]
10 So Fine [4:04]
- Further Review
|