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Curtis Taylor: Taylor Made

By Nicholas F. Mondello
April 18, 2024
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Taylor Made, from trumpeter,

Curtis Taylor

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Curtis Taylor, presents seven tracks of fine post hard bop jazz. The music here is intelligent, inviting, and, lathered with superb solos. Taylor composed and arranged all seven tracks.

"Kham's Dilemma" opens with a lyrical, yet exotic statement with Taylor's trumpet and

Marcus Elliot

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Marcus Elliot's sax in unison over an energized rhythm bed before it breaks out swinging hard and meaning business. Fine solos follow from Taylor, Marcus Elliot and pianist

Theron Brown

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Theron Brown. "After the Rain" is a light, bouncy, happy affair with an obvious Carib vibe. Taylor's trumpet states the catchy melody and forays into a lyrical-lined solo. It is a fun track. The frantic pace of speedball burner, "Heightened Awareness" takes off with saxophonist Elliot and trumpet spewing ribbons of notes at lightspeed. Both launch into furious solo takes with the rhythm section burning. This is a big statement track, a throwback to some of Blue Note's best hard bop.

While he is his own man, one can discern that Taylor has done extensive aural diving into the canon of more modern players such as

Woody Shaw

trumpet
1944 - 1989

" data-original-title="" title="">Woody Shaw,

Nicholas Payton

trumpet
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Nicholas Payton, and

Wynton Marsalis

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Marsalis. He is well in command of his horn and can gymnast with the best. He offers an attractive sound and uses a full palette of tonal colors expressively.

"For Her" is a slow triple-metered ballad with a simple, poetic melody. Taylor's fine tone and solo lines engage. Brown's playing in conjunction with

Jonathon Muir-Cotton

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Jonathon Muir-Cotton's bass statements and

Alex White

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Alex White 's kit work are superb here. "Indomitable" has a pulsing piano foundation over which horns state melody. The track builds dramatically leading to a rather funereal close. "Journey" is another driver that brings the session to a satisfying finale.

On this debut album, Taylor excels as a leader, player, and composer/arranger. His cohorts buy in with outstanding energy. Taylor Made is a fine recording that possesses both classic roots and a hip toe in the now.

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Track Listing

Kham��s Dilemma; After the Rain; Heightened Awareness; For Her; Indomitable; Hashtagged; Journey.

Personnel

Curtis Taylor

trumpet

Marcus Elliot

saxophone, tenor

Theron Brown

piano

Jonathon Muir-Cotton

bass, acoustic

Alex White

drums

Additional Instrumentation

David Casta?eda: percussion (2).

Album information

Title: Taylor Made | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Self Produced

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