Oscillator - James Taylor Quartet (The)

Advantages: Driven by musical passion. Great Jazz structures (+ lack of)
Disadvantages: All tracks are very similar (no variation)

...A must have for all JTQ fans. This album incorporates acid jazz with the classic James Taylor quartet sound. Opening with Joe's Diversions, the hammond organ sound takes lead throughout the album. Vocals from new singer Yvonne Yanney bring new light to the quartet - the most prominent track being 'It's all over'. For all jazz, and especially acid jazz fans, this album provides complex melodies and harmonies, whilst capturing the unusally simple structures of acid. The album is well produced, and the selection of tracks (11 in total) are well chosen. I would recommend this album to all fans of JTQ and jazz, and to those who are willing to try something new in their musical tastes. Truly a great album, full of musical passion.... Read review

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Advantages: 154 minutes of pure class music
Disadvantages: NONE, none none none none none

...What a cool cd. There isn’t much traditional jazz- as the CD explains – it’s a compilation of what jazz created – acid jazz, breakbeat, hip-hop and soul. All the songs on the 2 CDs (which both last 77mins – there is good value for money) are classics – some which you will instantly recognise , and some which you will recognise covers of. There are all sorts of artists on the double cd – you have modern artists like Jamiroquai and Brand New Heavies, and some really cool old artists – Bill Wyman’s there – singing “Just the Two of Us” (gorgeous), and Herbie Hancock with Chameleon. There are also 2 themes – Bob James - Angela (from Taxi) and James Taylor Quartet – theme from Starsky & Hutch (a damn cool theme tune). The blurb says “it’s jazz, soul, funk and hip-hop rolled into one. What you have here is a collection of its finest... Read review

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Advantages: you'll be singing along
Disadvantages: your partner will hate you singing along to Tom Jones!

...I bought this CD after hearing the Steriophonics and Tom Jones's version of 'Mama told me not to come', I am so glad that i did. This old welsh bloke is corking! This album has 17 great duets and they include The Cardigans, Simply Red, Portishead, the Manics even the James Taylor Quartet! Tom has lent himself to the 'pop' era very well, even the 21 year old in work has bought this CD! He really has funked up his repartoire (oh for a spelling key!) My favourite is 'Are you gonna go my way' with Robbie Williams and 'Little green bag' with Barenaked ladies ~ This album has just one hit after another.......... Go and add it to your collection, you know you want to! Mother always said that i should listen to some proper music! (but then again she was going to call me delilah when i was born!)... Read review

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