James Taylor Quartet albums
Edward Griffiths (101471.122@compuserve.com)
09 Jan 96 15:12:37 EST
Fellow funksters,
Time for a quick album discography of Hammond groovers, the JTQ:
-Mission Impossible EP (instrumental)
A covers EP, mostly 60's theme tunes, played by the original stripped-down
quartet. Production is a bit cheesy, but generally groovy.
-Money Spyder
Sounds like you all know about this one...
- Wait a Minute (instrumental)
Again, many of the tracks are performed by the original quartet; fairly
thin-sounding generally but some good grooves (I always thought that the
original drummer was crap, but when you've used Steve White- see later- no-one
can touch him for feel (?)) HOWEVER, this album is an essential purchase due to
the manic cover of the 'Starsky and Hutch' theme, starring the JB Horns. Total,
undisputed AJ genius. Don't get the CD, by the way, as it features a hacked
about remix.
- Get Organised (mainly instrumental)
Am I the only person around who really rates this album? It seems to be really
hard to find at the moment, but it's a monster- brilliant tunes, excellent
production, and the personnel list from AJ / young jazz heaven. It's like a big
band, live acid jazz sound, all driven by Paul Weller's current drummer, Steve
White. Excellent stuff, quite varied- some jazzy stuff in with the ONE.
- Do Your Own Thing (mixed vocs / instrumental)
A more commercial release, slightly less 'live' feel. A good album, though- some
interesting raps and good vocal tunes along with a steaming, uptempo 'JTQ
Theme', which sounds similar to the GetOrganised horns stuff.
- Supernatural feeling (mostly vocal)
Very tinny and commercial sounding release. I read an interview with the
drummer- apparently he only had three weeks to learn the material. It shows. The
one album I'd avoid, although there are a couple of interesting tunes on it.
Most of the singles from this album, incidentally, had excellent B-sides: the
themes from Six Million Dollar Man and the Tomorrow People for example. Pick 'em
up 2nd hand if you see them.
- In the hand of the inevitable
The JTQ return to Acid Jazz records for their latest album: again, there are
some commercial tunes, but the quality is better. A couple of good covers,
soulful vocals, in with some SERIOUSLY funky instrumentals make this a
worthwhile buy.
Hope this was useful,
Don't fake the funk or your nose'll grow...
Ed