Jazz / Urban, Crossover Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Paul Taylor - Vocoder, Arranger, Sax (Soprano), Saxophone Arrangement, Sax (Alto)
Abdulhameed Zuhri Guitar
Andi Howard Executive Producer
Barry Eastmond Keyboards, Engineer, Mixing, Arranger, Producer, Drum Programming
Bashiri Johnson Percussion
Bill Esses Engineer
Bryan New Engineer
Chris Parker Drums
Darcy Aldridge Vocals (Background)
David Charles Percussion
Dwight Sills Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic)
Gordon Chambers Arranger, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background)
Jonathan Butler Guitar
Lee Thornburg Trombone
Leilani Shelby Production Coordination
Luis Conte Percussion
Maria Eastmond Production Coordination
Mark Wexler Executive Producer
Michael White Drums
Nancy Fisher Stylist
Phil Hamilton Guitar
Phil Magnotti Mixing
Rex Rideout Programming, Engineer, Keyboards, Producer
Ronald Smith Guitar
Ronnie Garrett Bass
Russ Freeman Executive Producer
Scott Hull Mastering
Sharon Youngblood Vocals
Sonny Mediana Art Direction, Photography
Steve Sykes Engineer, Mixing
Ulysses Noriega Assistant
Valerie Ince A&R
Paul Taylor is Steppin' Out on a new collection of funky, sensuous and sultry songs. Produced by Rex Rideout and Barry Eastmond, this latest release underscores the incredible talent of an artist destined for stardom. Combining a signature "smooth" sound with R &B, funk grooves, this innovative saxman is sure to have everyone Steppin’ Out to get this must-have CD.
Paul Taylor, the sexy saxman of smooth/urban jazz, is back with his fifth solo recording titled Steppin' Out, his second outing on the Peak Records label. Ripe with old-school moods and pop-oriented flavors, Taylor's accompanists bring out the best of his smooth sax work on soprano and alto, his sax harmonies, and his vocoder on three tracks. Produced by Rex Rideout and Barry J. Eastmond, two of smooth/urban jazz's most acclaimed producers, the set jumps off with the radio-friendly single "On the Move," which immediately sets the tone for the remainder of the all-star project. The lovely, reassuring vocals of Sharon Youngblood are both soothing and captivating on "Someone Watching Over You." She provides an excellent foil for the beautiful soprano sax voice of Taylor, who provides delicate background complements. On "Enchanted Garden," Taylor plays a highly imaginative soprano sax and vocoder and captures the listener's imagination with fragrant flourishes and delicate lines. The smooth program is interspersed with a soulful urban bebop-style composition called "Speakeasy" and ends with a bonus track titled "Get Up." And that's exactly what you'll want to do to express your gratitude for this marvelous set. ~ Paula Edelstein, All Music Guide
Paul Taylor
Active Decades: '90s and '00s
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Contemporary Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Paul Taylor grew up in Denver, where he took up the saxophone at the age of seven. He played in school bands, and in high school joined a Top 40 band called Mixed Company. Jazz keyboardist Keiko Matsui and her husband, producer Kazu Matsui, discovered him playing at the Catalina Island Jazz Festival and hired him to play in their band. He spent two years with them, and then Kazu Matsui produced his 1995 debut album, On the Horn, which reached the jazz charts and spawned a radio hit in "Til We Meet Again." Pleasure Seeker, his second album, followed in 1997 and was equally successful. Taylor released his third album, Undercover, on PeakN-Coded Music in February 2000. Also in 2000, he toured as a special guest artist with the Rippingtons. Subsequent albums Hypnotic (2001), Steppin' Out (2003), Nightlife (2005), and Ladies' Choice (2007), all issued by Peak Records, figured high in the contemporary jazz charts, with Ladies' Choice going all the way to number one. Peak released Taylor's eighth album, Burnin', in 2009.
---William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide |
