Message from the Godfather

Personnel: James Taylor (organ); John Wilmott (saxophone, flute); David Taylor (guitar); Gary Crockett (bass); Neil Robinson (drums).
Includes liner notes by Snowboy.
The music on this CD by the James Taylor Quartet (which is really a five-piece group) is purposely retro. Taylor (no, not that James Taylor!) is a British keyboardist who on this set sticks to the Hammond B-3 organ. The goal was to recapture the flavor of a Prestige or Blue Note soul-jazz session circa 1967-71. The group (Taylor, guitarist David Taylor, bassist Gary Crockett, drummer Neil Robinson, and John Willmott on saxophones and flute) are successful in bringing back the feel of the era. What is missing are any memorable melodies or original ideas, but since the groove is the thing, this set is successful within its limited scope, and easily recommended to soul-jazz organ collectors. ~ Scott Yanow