Jazz Monthly.com Interview with paul taylor

PT: Yeah, Terry Dexter, so yeah.

Smitty: Man, it’s only fitting that you have some great women on this album “Ladies’ Choice”.

PT: (Laughs.)

Smitty: You really stacked ‘em up on here, man. This is really cool because you mixed in some great instrumentals and then you both complemented each other with the vocals, all of the great vocalists that you put there. It was just such a great fit to blend the sax with these great voices.

PT: Thanks so much. I know, it’s always hard sometimes to find balance of not having too much of either one, so I’m glad you’re feeling that.

Smitty: Oh, man, totally feeling it. I mean, it’s just a great flow of music, and I gotta tell you, man, you’ve got some great supportive musicians on here, like Mr. [Darrell] Crooks, that’s my boy.

PT: Oh, wow, he’s incredible like on the intro of “Long Distance Relationship,” he wrote that part so, I mean, when I heard that, it was like that’s like melted butter on potatoes, you know? (Both laugh.)

Smitty: Oh, yeah. Absolutely, man. I really like his vibe. Every time I hear him on a project, it totally impresses me.

PT: Yeah, he’s a wonderful musician. I got a chance to meet him finally in the studio on this project, so he’s a pretty unique guy.

Smitty: Yes, he is, and he’s one of the cats that totally feels the music.

PT: Right.

Smitty: He’s not just playing, but he’s feeling it.

PT: Right.

Smitty: I was also thinking when I was listening to this record too that this is the kind of record where you could play this in so many different settings and just let it play and kick and have a great time. I mean, you can dance, you can kick back with some great food, even a barbecue, I was thinking. I said, man, this is outdoor, just having a great time kind of flow, you know?

PT: That’s wonderful, Smitty. I’m glad because I envision stuff like that too because, you know, just have a good time with it and just let it play.

Smitty: Yeah, and so you mixed it up with the saxes too, huh?

PT: No doubt. I got the soprano and alto in there to try to make the best sounds for the latest P.T. sound, you know?

Smitty: Yes indeed, man, and the vocoder. (Both laugh.)

PT: Yeah, we got that on one of the bonus tracks.

Smitty: Yeah, and “Summer’s End.”

PT: “Summer’s End,” that’s right.

Smitty: This is just a great project and this is, what, your fourth project with Peak?

PT: I believe so, yeah.

Smitty: Man, that’s incredible. You’re just having a great time, aren’t ya?

PT: I’m in a good place, yeah. I’m fortunate. I can’t complain.

Smitty: Yeah, and I especially want to acknowledge my thanks for putting my bad boy on there, the other Smitty [Dwayne “Smitty” Smith]. (Both laugh.)

PT: Oh yeah, yeah, uh-huh. Our bass man.

Smitty: Yeah, man. What a great guy too.

PT: Yeah, I think he played on “Overdrive” and he might’ve played on some more songs too, yeah.

Smitty: Yeah, I think he played on “A Love of Your Own” too.

PT: Oh, excellent, yeah.

Smitty: Yeah, man, and like you said, “Overdrive.” Just a great cat, you know?

PT: Mm-hmm.

Smitty: Well, now, Paul, you did Nightlife and then Steppin’ Out.

PT: Uh-huh.

Smitty: I mean, you’re in that party vibe, you’re in that party groove, you know? (Both laugh.)