Jazz Monthly.com Interview with paul taylor

“Jazz Monthly Feature Interview” Paul Taylor

Smitty: Well, I am extremely excited about my next guest here at JazzMonthly.com. Trust me, he is no one-hit wonder. He is a mega hit machine. In fact, if his music was a cell phone number, he would be in my five. (Both laughs.)

Paul Taylor (PT): All right!

Smitty: His great new record is called “Ladies’ Choice” and it features a fantastic cast of musicians! Please give a warm welcome for Peak recording artist, the incredible Mr. Paul Taylor. Paul, how ya doin’, my friend?

PT: I’m doing well. Thanks so much, Smitty. Glad to be here with ya.

Smitty: Yeah, man. I am excited about this new record Ladies’ Choice. Man, when I first heard the title, I said oh, this is gonna be some hot stuff here! (Both laugh.) Now, I wanna thank you too for remembering the seventies, my friend. (Laughs.)

PT: Right on. Yeah, definitely. It’s kind of a little homage to the seventies, I mean Ladies’ Choice, because I think the term, not that it’s a seventies term, but I think it was born in the seventies when we were out at a house party or at a disco club back then in those days, everything was going well and then all of a sudden the DJ goes “All right, this dance is ladies’ choice.” So if you’re lucky enough to get called for a dance, it was kind of a cool feeling.

Smitty: Yeah, man. I remember that. I got a charge when I saw that, Ladies’ Choice.

PT: (Laughs.)

Smitty: And you know what? You’ve got some great tunes on here for the ladies to dance to as well. These are some great tracks. In fact, I really like Track 3, “Here We Go.” It’s got that real upbeat vibe.

PT: Thanks a lot. Yeah, we got the multi-tracking, the saxes in there, and the feeling I get when I play that is just a great feeling, definitely, like “Ladies’ Choice.”

Smitty: Yeah, and “Overdrive” is a great dance tune, Track 10, which is really cool. And my favorite track—I’m a little torn on Track 8 and Track 5. Now, Track 5, “Streamline”…

PT: Mm-hmm?

Smitty: I’ve hit the repeat button quite a few times on that one. (Laughs.)

PT: All right! Yeah, that’s got a really heavy duty mix on that one, a really aggressive mix. I like that.

Smitty: Yeah, man. That one is really cool, and I gotta tell ya, I’m in love with Lauren Evans. (Laughs.)

PT: All right! (Laughs.) “A Love of Your Own.”

Smitty: Yeah, what a track, man.

PT: Yeah, that came out really nice with Rex Rideout and we dug out an old AWB [Average White Band] tune, so “A Love of Your Own” is a really nice song I wanted to do.

Smitty: Yeah, it brought back some memories, man. (Laughs.) And speaking of that, man, you got a couple of great cats in Rex Rideout and Barry Eastmond. Man, you couldn’t do any better than that.

PT: No doubt, I’m in good hands all the time, so I’m really fortunate.

Smitty: Yeah, those are two great cats. I don’t think people sing their praises enough because they’re sort of behind the scenes, but what they put out front for us to hear is just totally incredible.

PT: No doubt.

Smitty: Yeah. So, now, talk to me a little bit about what made you remember the seventies, man, to do the ladies’ choice thing?

PT: Well, you know, Smitty, it really started as going into the studio on this project, pretty much open minded, letting it kinda follow wherever it went, so when I got together with Barry, he was the first producer I worked with, and I think the first day we did what was “Ladies’ Choice,” and so I stepped back and listened to the vibe of it and he goes “Man, this sounds like ladies’ choice. This is the jam.”

Smitty: Yeah.

PT: And so he liked that and then I submitted it to the record company, the record label, and they liked it, and so then basically it just kinda took on a life of its own and we started getting songs, different songs, and Andi recommended—that’s my manager—she recommended having more vocal songs on it, maybe getting some Urban/AC airplay as well. So it just kinda took off from there. We’ve got Regina Belle on there, LaToya London.

Smitty: I know. Terry…

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.)

PT: I think the latest couple have been more like that. I’m writing in the moment at the time, so that’s the way it comes out and who knows what will happen on the next one?

Smitty: Yeah, and I especially like some of the things you did on the Brian Culbertson All Star Cruise back in January, man. That was a kickin’ time, wasn’t it?

PT: Oh, that was the best time. I had a great time. It was really cool seeing all the people interacting with all the musicians and the fans, and just kinda having fun at the same time. It was really wonderful.

Smitty: Yeah, I really liked that whole scene, you know?

PT: Mm-hmm.

Smitty: And it was just great to see everybody. It’s almost like a reunion too, you know? You get to see everybody and…

PT: Exactly.

Smitty: …and just everybody’s kickin’ and talkin’ and having a good time, great music and lots of good food. I loved the food.

PT: Yeah.

Smitty: Yes indeed, man. And you’re gonna do that again, right?

PT: You know, I did sign up for the next one, so I should be there. Yeah, I will be there.

Smitty: Oh, wow. Man, that’s gonna be a kickin’ good time too.

PT: You know, I thought one of the best things they did was the trading cards and you did all the info on the trading cards. I think that was one of the best things and I really treasure that and I’m gonna keep those forever.

Smitty: Oh, you mean the trading cards I did?

PT: Yeah, that was so cool, yeah.

Smitty: (Laughs.) I had fun with that. When they approached me and asked me to do that, I first said to myself—I didn’t say it to them, I said to myself—they want me to do this? (Both laugh.) But then once I got into it and got to thinking about everybody, it was like, man, I love this, you know?

PT: You know, who wouldn’t want their own trading card? I mean, that’s the greatest idea and then plus fans can trade them or have them sign them or whatever, you know?

Smitty: Yeah, it was kinda cool. And you’re right. It was a hit. People were loving that. Man, and so I have my collection of them. (Laughs.)

PT: All right.

Smitty: Yeah, that’s cool. It would be nice to have those on hand all the time, you know?

PT: Exactly. They should make them like they have the sports trading cards and everything, like Smooth Jazz cards, exactly.

Smitty: Yeah, I like that, man. So we must give Mark and Tony some serious props for that. That’s cool. I’m glad you mentioned that. Thank you. Yeah, it was a pleasure to do that, and it was easy to do yours, man, ‘cause I knew, you know, here’s Paul Taylor, man, he’s got that whole sensual groove and he’s got the sax smokin’ and it was easy to do that one, you know?

PT: All right.

Smitty: But it was fun, yeah. So, now, the record’s out when?

PT: It comes out on May 22nd.

Smitty: Yeah. Well, this is an exciting time. I always say this, but it is an exciting time when you’ve been in the studio and you’re kickin’ the tunes around and you’re getting them the way you want them, you’re working with some great cats like Barry and Rex, and all the great musicians, and then it’s finished.

PT: Mm-hmm.

Smitty: And now you get to talk about it, you get to hear the reaction, and then you get to go out on the road and play and get the audience feel for it. It’s a beautiful time.

PT: No doubt, you know, it’s always a happy time is when you have a release coming up or even the times in between, but especially when you have an album coming out right around the corner with all the work you put into it, the culmination to it. Yeah, they’re happy times, definitely.

Smitty: Yeah. You’ve got some smash hits on here, man. This would be one of those things where I would have a hard time deciding which one goes to radio and which ones you want to feature on the first tour leg or what. I mean, there’s some great hits on here.

PT: Thanks so much. It’s good to give them choices. (Laughs.)

Smitty: Yes indeed, man, absolutely. And the artwork on here, man, is just fantastic. Wow. Somebody has a great imagination, great photos on here.

PT: Yeah, I liked the way they used the “A”.

Smitty: Yeah, the in Taylor. You have a great looking a. (Laughs)

PT: Right.

Smitty: You’re working up a tour, of course.

PT: Right. We’re filling in dates as we speak and we have a few already in, and I’m doing dates, of course, by myself and as well packaged with Regina Belle, so that’s gonna be really fun.

Smitty: Yeah, man. Hey, I’m lovin’ it, and what a great vocalist. She’s a great singer. Wow.

PT: No doubt, yeah.

Smitty: Yeah, that’s a great tour. Well, Paul, I’m certainly looking forward to seeing you out there again on the road and doing your thing and it’s always great to know that you’re still kickin’ out those fantastic tunes, man, and having a great time with it.

PT: I appreciate you for still listening to me, Smitty. Thanks so much, dude.

Smitty: Are you kidding, man? We go back too far for that, you know? (Both laugh.) So let’s see, now, your Web site is www.paultaylorsax.com?

PT: That’s it. www.paultaylorsax.com.

Smitty: Yeah, and all the news about the new record’s is on there.

PT: Right. But, Smitty, I would also like to include my My Space site.

Smitty: Absolutely.

PT: Which is www.myspace.com/officialpaultaylorsax.

Smitty: Oh, cool. All right, man. Say, man, when are you gonna teach me how to play like you? (Laughs.)

PT: Smitty, you know, I can give you lessons, but it takes so long, you know?

Smitty: (Laughs.)

PT: It takes a long time to even get a good sound, but I could work with you.

Smitty: I’ll pay, man. (Both laugh.) Paul, you know it’s always fun, man, to talk with you and it’s always especially good too when you’ve got a great new record out, as always, and I’m totally excited about this one and I expect some great things with this one with your live performances, with radio and your fans getting an opportunity to take this one home with them and kick with it.

PT: Right on, Smitty. I appreciate all that.

Smitty: All right, my friend. We’ve been talking with Peak recording artist Paul Taylor. He’s got a fantastic new record. It’s called “Ladies’ Choice.” You have got to hear this one. It is certainly a ladies’ choice and it is all that and so much more. Paul, thanks so much, my friend, and see you soon.

PT: No problem. My pleasure, Smitty. Thank you.

Baldwin “Smitty” Smith

For More Information Visit www.paultaylorsax.com and www.myspace.com/officialpaultaylorsax and www.peak-records.com