The popular saxophonist sure is. A true contemporary urban jazz force of nature, Taylor has been on one of the most successful runs of his 15 year recording career, scoring his first #1 ever on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart with Ladies' Choice (2007) and hitting #1 on the airplay charts with the title track from "Burnin". Fresh from kickin' it up on tour these past few summers as part of the Gentlemen of the Night tours with fellow saxophonists Marion Meadows, Michael Lington and Warren Hill, Taylor is keeping things soulful, funky and innovative as ever on his sixth Peak Records album and debut release through new partnership with Eone Entertainment Group. Paul's in Prime Time mode with emotionally powerful 10 song collection of instrumentals and vocals which finds him vibing with a mix of old and new (and very funky) musical friends.
For the first time since Nightlife (2005), the saxman is co-writing with Dino Esposito, one of the architects of the trademark Taylor sound who has been producing tracks for him since his 1997 hit Pleasure Seeker. Looking for a special breezy touch on the sensual ballad "Horizon," Taylor called his longtime pal, acoustic guitarist and "vocalese" master Steve Oliver, to complement his lilting alto melody. It was a sweet payback of sorts, as Taylor played on Oliver's breakthrough album First View in 1999.
Complementing the seven tracks helmed by Esposito are four urban adult contemporary vocal cuts co-penned and produced by The Heavyweights, a hit production team led by vocalist Jamie Jones of the Grammy® and American Music award winning R&B vocal group All-4-One, which released the album No Regrets on Peak Records in 2009. Since forming in 2003, The Heavyweights‹which includes songwriter/producers Jack Kugell and Jason Penrock‹have participated in recordings that have sold more than 28 million units.
Prime Time gets down to business with three tracks driven by the classic Taylor/Esposito grooves and sonic touches. The lone soprano tune on the collection, the mid-tempo, seductive "Push To Start" is the first single release and the perfect summery drive-time tune, with what Taylor calls a ³quasi-cinematic British pop/One Republic influence." Haunting ambient chill bubbles over into melodic yet gritty alto sax funk on "Moment of Truth" and "Don¹t Wanna Let You Go" is all about lilting and cool late night seduction. Fans of the classic All-4-One vocal style will find "Can¹t Nobody" all at once fresh and familiar, as Taylor¹s alto soars along with Jamie Jones¹ powerhouse vocal on the first track on the album produced by The Heavyweights.
Taylor visualizes a "Horizon" that takes his breath away on the track where he and Esposito work with Steve Oliver, blending the alto sax with a lush acoustic guitar harmony and dreamy, caressing wordless vocals. After "Laronda," Taylor finds a different mode of loving expression on the late
night elegant charm of "Say No More." Taylor finds some cool "Space" to put his sax harmony lines on the highly textured urban crossover vocal track featuring Andrea Anderson-Olson; penned by The Heavyweights, the song is essentially a female empowerment tune. Taylor, Jones and Kugell
collaborated on the high energy, grooving jazz title track, which is followed by a unique, silky cover of Kings of Leon¹s massive pop hit "Use Somebody."
Paul Taylor has been one of the most popular and innovative saxophonists and performers over the past decade and a half. But all that was simply a prelude to now, his Prime Time. Are you ready?
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