Curtis Taylor: Taylor Made

Taylor Made, from trumpeter, 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'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. "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, Nicholas Payton, and 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's bass statements and 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.