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.

 

 

 


 

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  • 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]



     
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