  |
|
|
 |
|
CD |
Kérjen
árajánlatot! |
|
| 1. | Mission Impossible
|
| 2. | Be My Girl
|
| 3. | Untitled No. 1
|
| 4. | Blow Up
|
| 5. | Green Onions
Live
|
| 6. | The Cat
|
| 7. | The Money Spyder
|
| 8. | The Strol
|
| 9. | Car Chase
|
| 10. | Theme from Dirty Harry
|
| 11. | In the Hand of the Inevitable
|
| 12. | Stepping into My Life
|
| 13. | Europa
|
| 14. | Haitian Breakdown/Starsky and Hutch
Live
|
To many The James Taylor Quartet's Hammond organ vibe and wah-wah groove was the sound of Acid Jazz. Taking in 60's film soundtracks, Tv theme tunes & sweet street soul, this CD brings together a selection of the outfit's finest tracks from the Acid Jazz vaults. So put on your tux, pour yourself a Martini, polish that sports car and get down to the penthouse sound!
James Taylor is without a doubt one of the most talented organists of our time, and his name should be placed up there with the likes of Jimmy Smith, Brother Jack McDuff and Brian Auger. His legendary Hammond sound and 60s iconism has become his trademark and to many he is the sound of Acid Jazz. His first band, infamous garage rockers The Prisoners, had built a considerable following on the Mod scene and some good press support. But despite the NME voting their LP "The Last Fourfathers" as one of the best albums of all time and an appearance on 80s 'Yoof' TV show The Tube, they were still largely ignored by the mainstream media. At first, this suited the band's hatred of anything to do with the music industry but a continuing lack of success led to frustration and tension within the group and they eventually split in 1985. After this James decided to make the move to Stockholm to study Jazz Piano under Swedish legendary guru ULF Sanberg.
However, just before leaving the country he checked into an 8-track recording studio along with three mates, and recorded a short collection of tracks called the "Mission Impossible EP" under the James Taylor Quartet moniker. Out of this session came the band's first single "Blow Up", a low budget, limited pressing 7" that was a cover of Herbie Hancock's theme to Antonioni's cult 60s film of the same name. This was an instant underground success and was championed by many club and radio DJs including indie don John Peel, who placed the track in his festive top 40 three years running. This sudden interest in the tracks meant it was necessary to put a "proper" band together and the James Taylor Quartet officially came to life. As soon as the band was formed they went straight on tour to promote the second release from their "Mission Impossible" EP and blew away audiences with a sets of rollicking Hammond classics and 60s theme tunes.
The "Mission Impossible" EP also launched James' long standing relationship with Eddie Piller who went on to form Acid Jazz records. Piller encouraged the release of JTQ's second major record (and first full album) "The Money Spyder" which was pitched as an imaginary film soundtrack, and put it out on his first imprint Re-Elect-The-President. And when Piller started the Acid Jazz label in the latter part of the eighties it was the perfect platform for the bands retro sound enabling a full release of Mission Impossible. In 1991 the band was snapped up by a major label and gave their sound a more soulful feel. But by 1994, with moderate chart success behind them, they returned to Acid Jazz and signed to the label officially. There are a number of tracks featured on this compilation from The Mission Impossible EP and The Money Spyder, along with cuts from later compositions such as "Extended Play " and "In The Hand Of The Inevitable" as well as a couple of live favourites "Green Onions" and "Haitian Breakdown / Starsky & Hutch".
However the band's real strength has always been in their unique live shows, with a tight horn section, funky wah-wah guitar and James' energetic organ playing, there is no escaping their infectious grooves which has won them a huge following worldwide. A year or so ago (autumn 2000), I was involved in organising a live PA by JTQ at the HQ venue in Camden Town, London. Along with the band's classic cuts, the promoters wanted them to include a new cover version of some kind. I put together 5 suggested tracks onto a tape that James only received a couple of days prior to the show. But it was an amazing surprise when on the night the band played a fantastic version of Michael L Smith's fast and furious disco classic, Bad Mouthin'. It was an unusual choice but truly demonstrated James Taylor's extraordinary talent not only as an organist, but also as a band leader and arranger. The crowd went completely mad and the band ended up having to play the track twice!
On this compilation the emphasis is on JTQ earlier recordings, with the band covering a host of 60's and 70's films and TV themes, their sound is rough, chunky and infectiously funky.
1) Mission Impossible
Taken from the "Mission Impossible" EP, JTQ's debut release, this cut is a joyful Hammond cover version of Lalo Schifrin's famous TV theme. Renowned jazz keyboardist Jimmy Smith also covered this classic on his "Livin' It Up" LP and also transformed the track into a big Hammond version which was a move away from the brass workout of the original.
2) Be My Girl
Another track from the "Mission Impossible" 8 track session, "Be My Girl" is credited to The Artwoods a 60s Mod / R&B English band - but the track originally called "Be My Lady" was actually written by Booker T & The MG'S. Nevertheless this version is a splendid interpretation with fuzzy rock guitars that are very much in a Mod tradition!
3) Untitled No.1
Also part of The "Mission Impossible" EP, this cut is a JTQ original composition, but fits perfectly as an imaginary soundtrack theme tune.
4) Blow Up
The theme tune from Antonioni's cult 60s film, written by Herbie Hancock, receives an extended workout compared to the one minute or so of the original version. This track truly started JTQ's career, finding its way into many a DJ's box.
5) Green Onions (live)
This cut recorded live in the mid-nineties is a version of possibly Booker T & The MGs most famous composition. JTQ delivers a splendid interpretation with loose Hammond phrases that still keeps the swinging feel of the original.
6) The Cat
Yet another Lalo Schifrin composition that Jimmy Smith covered on his appropriately titled LP "The Cat". As with the "Mission Impossible" cut, James Taylor turns more to the Jimmy Smith groovy Hammond version for inspiration rather than the brass sound of the original.
7) The Money Spyder
The Money Spyder, JTQ's second LP, was recorded and marketed as an imaginary 60s soundtrack. This cut could easily be the theme tune to a spy film with its 'Beach Boys' style guitars and fast drum patterns.
8) The Stroll
Second cut to be taken from the Money Spyder 'soundtrack'. Here the Hammond sound is more prominent and the rhythm is somewhat psychedelic. This track is reminiscent of those groovy way-out club scenes in all cool 60s films.
9) Car Chase
Last cut to come out of the Money Spyder fictional soundtrack, the emphasis here is on the rock guitars that give a sense of danger and urgency to the track, as if in a 'real' car chase scene.
10) Theme From Dirty Harry
Lalo Schifrin certainly inspired Taylor, at least at the beginning of his career, so he couldn't have missed the opportunity to cover yet another of Schifrin's film scores. This is a great cover with that mighty Hammond (of course!), flute and infectiously funky wah-wah guitars, and indeed truly pays homage to the original version.
11) In The Hand Of The Inevitable
This track, taken from the 1995 LP of the same name, is one of Taylor's own compositions and could have been written with a film score in mind. From the intro with the long Hammond keys, Taylor sets a church like atmosphere, the track then develops into a mid-tempo funky workout with 70s wah-wah guitars, saxophone and off course more of his Hammond trademark.
12) Stepping Into My Live
Taken from the "Extended Play" LP and featuring Allison Limerick on vocals, this track signified JTQs move into a different sound. Limerick's soulful and catchy lyrics, the breezy violin phrases and Taylor on Fender Rhodes makes this song a JTQ classic.
13) Europa
Second cut to be taken from the "Extended Play" LP, and was co-composed by Taylor and bass player Gary Crockett. Although it came out in 1994, this cut again has that 70s film score feel about with Taylor freely improvising on Fender Rhodes, the wah-wah guitars, saxophones and last but not least the funky break half way through the track.
14) Haitian Breakdown / Starsky and Hutch (live)
Starsky and Hutch, originally written by Tom Scott for the 70s classic cop TV series, was a huge club success for the James Taylor Quartet and became a live favourite. This live version introduced by a few bars of Haitian Breakdown, is characterised by Taylor unmistakable big Hammond organ sound backed by solid dance beats and is the perfect conclusion to this compilation.
---Christine Indigo |
|
CD bolt, zenei DVD, SACD, BLU-RAY lemez vásárlás és rendelés - Klasszikus zenei CD-k és DVD-különlegességek |  | | Webdesign - Forfour Design |
|
|
