There is no special receipt to reach
the top. Excellent performance combined with a certain charisma is
certainly a start up. But one also needs a tiny bit of luck to get the
entrance into music business. Paul Taylor worked hard for this aim and
he was successful in doing so. He played on
the
Catalina Island Jazz Trax Festival with Dino Esposito when he was
recognized by Keiko and Kazu Matsui. Paul toured and recorded with the
Matsui for two years. As a result Kazu Matsui produced Paul's debut
album On The Horn (1995). A benchmark for his popularity is the
fact that this album was re-issued in 2002 after a huge demand. His
sophomore album Pleasure Seeker (1997) was also re-issued in
the same year. Follow-ups were his albums Undercover (2000),
Hypnotic (2001), Steppin' Out (2003) and Nightlife
(2005).
Ladies' Choice is Paul's fourth
Peak Records release. Barry Eastmond and Rex Rideout have
produced the album. Both were also responsible producers of Steppin’
Out and Nightlife. The album is featuring
female R&B
vocalists Regina Belle, La Toya London and Terry Dexter.
“For me, the whole music making process
begins with me in a room with the sax, writing melodies from the
heart,” says Taylor. “In addition to working with Barry and Rex again,
it’s been a great experience to work with these incredible ladies.”
The official release has 11 tracks, Circuit City offers an album with
the bonus track Paradise Valley and the iTunes Store includes
the bonus track Table for Two.
The album starts with the title track Ladies
Choice featuring Paul on alto sax. Paul's saxophone is the lead
instrument following the main theme, while the top-class crew (Barry
Eastmond, keys and percussion, Michael White, drums, Darryl Crooks
(guitar) and Freddie Washington, bass) performs discreetly.
The second tune I Want To Be Loved (By You) is featuring singer
La Toya London. She was the fourth-place finalist on the third season
of the reality/talent-search television series American Idol.
Her debut album Love & Life was released in 2005 on Peak
Records. Currently she is starring as Nattie in the Broadway show
The Color Purple. Her clear and distinctive vocals harmonizes
perfectly with Paul Taylor's sax.
On Here We Go
Paul Taylor and his alto sax are standing anew in the lime light.
Sultry overdubbed sax sequences are masterly set in scene.
How Did You Know is featuring Regina
Belle. Regina is one of the premier R&B vocalists and has released a
lot of albums since her debut 1987 with All By Myself. On Peak
Records Regina has released the albums This Is Regina! (2001)
and Lazy Afternoon (2004).
Regina performs the song with great nonchalance and elegance. Paul
Taylor will share numerous tour dates with Regina Belle this year.
Streamline has that typical smooth jazz flavor on a constant clap beat
with a nice guitar line by Phil Hamilton.
Long Distance Relationship is featuring
singer princess Terry Dexter. She is currently working on her upcoming
album The Rebirth of Motown. What a pretty nightingale.
Smoothness in vocals and sax are not beatable.
Summer's End brings some melancholy into
Paul's album.
A Love Of Your Own is featuring the fourth
female singer of Paul's choice: Lauren Evans. On record, her vocals
are featured on albums by Grammy award winner Boney James, rock legend
Mick Fleetwood, and revered hitmaker Barry Manilow to name a few.
Lauren was also featured on Paul Taylor's previous album Nightlife.
With Open Your Eyes we return to diva
Regina Belle. A slowtempo ballade with great emphasis on emotion.
The midtempo Overdrive accelerates the
tempo moderately without loosing composure. Paul Taylor's album is
designed for hours of romance.
Point of View finishes Paul's splendid
album with some uptempo moments.
Although Ladies' Choice was first
conceived as instrumental album, Paul did right in following Andi
Howard's suggestion to include more vocals on this album. Critics and
fans pick up Paul Taylor's new album with great enthusiasm.
