The greatest Marvin Gaye record never made, from the multi-instrumentalist who began musical life playing in The Edgar Broughton Band. Shades of The Beach Boys, Joe Meek and Pigeonhed, prog rock and psychedelia are all pre... more »sent here. The secret is to stop trying to figure it out and just enjoy. 1996 release. Standard jewel case.« less
The greatest Marvin Gaye record never made, from the multi-instrumentalist who began musical life playing in The Edgar Broughton Band. Shades of The Beach Boys, Joe Meek and Pigeonhed, prog rock and psychedelia are all present here. The secret is to stop trying to figure it out and just enjoy. 1996 release. Standard jewel case.
CD Reviews
Modern soul masterpiece
G J Old | Chester United Kingdom | 07/29/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you remember the Stevie Wonder track "Superwoman" and how the change of feel midway through the track raised the hairs on the back of your neck then prepare to experience an albums worth of the same feelings. What a joy this album is, I'm still discovering new bits to it two years after buying it. I can't think of anything to compare it to as it seems to combine the feel of a 70's curtis mayfield or marvin gaye with the trip hop of massive attack. It's like nothing you've heard before with songs that seem to meander along until bang, the feel changes, the key rises and your emotions are blown apart.Lewis Taylor composed all the material and played the majority of the instruments on the album but don't think that a lack of outside influence had lead to a lack of ideas. A lot of critics have compared this to the seminal "what's goin on" and in some respects it's a great comparison. Almost a concept album in feel, the tracks seem to have a common thread but you could not describe the artist as soul or rnb in fact, i don't think he can be categorised so easily. Lewis himself considers radiohead and the beach boys an influence and i can't think of a soul or rnb artist whose music is tinged with this sort of shadow. If you're a fan of music, forget categories and just buy this cd. It's a gem just waiting to be unearthed."
Stellar CD from a little-known artist
G P | Bay Area, CA USA | 11/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I ordered the CD a few days ago and it arrived today - and I HAVEN'T STOPPED PLAYING IT SINCE. It's an amazing CD. Hard to describe, but he has an amazing voice, incredible instrumentation, deep (if sometimes cryptic) lyrics, etc. If I had to categorize it, I'd call it soul (not neo-soul, soul) but it has elements of rock, alternative, R&B, etc etc - really hard to define. I ordered it not knowing what to expect, as I'd ordered sight (or, rather, sound) unseen (unlistened), which I've never done. I got it because I am a HUGE fan of the late, great Aaliyah, and I just saw an interview she did a long time ago on MTV Stripped in which she praised Lewis Taylor and "Bittersweet" to the stars. She would've loved to collaborate with him, it's too sad she's gone...anyways, I've never heard Aaliyah recommend anything, and there was a short clip of "Bittersweet" in the video, so I decided to take a chance. Am I glad I did! BUY THIS!
(now I have to go buy his other CDs...)
It's such a pity he's not better known in the US...he deserves the recognition, much more than some of the pop tarts today!
a final note: Anthony Hamilton is also an amazing singer, not only Comin' From Where I'm From (his first "official" release, with the singles Charlene and Comin' From Where I'm From) but also Soulife, which is BEAUTIFUL. If you like Lewis Taylor, you'll love Anthony Hamilton; the reverse is also true. GET THEM BOTH!
finally: I think that reviewers should indicate some of their musical tastes, so you know where they're coming from. Anthony Hamilton, Aaliyah, Brooke Valentine, Faith Evans are all some favorite singers of mine...I do enjoy some pop/commercial R&B, most notably some Ashanti & Christina Milian and older Ginuwine...just so you know where I'm coming from."
NOT SO LUCKY
jeremy Price | worcester | 10/18/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is truly a work of art. Lewis is highly intelligent musical genius the best of London Soul talent. However before all you Yanks carry on shedding tears over the lack of release of this album over the water can I point out that this guy is so low profile here in London. Every week I search the listings for the chance to see him and sit gagging for his new album , so youre definitely not missing out on the party! Very few have even heard of him over here and his work lies rather hidden away amongst the soul, R&B sections of record shop which for the non expert is a maze of ridiculuous sounding names and a section of the shop one feels to be daunted in unless wearing the right label. Anyway lets hope that the man keeps his international fans happy so that we can all feel lucky ."
Lewis taylor fills a gaping hole in this era's soul music.
jeremy Price | 06/02/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i discovered lewis taylor at a listening station inside a music store in atlanta. i was swept immediately by the music's rich textures and sophistication. then came the lyrics...the stories spun masterfully by the words chosen, coupled with the soulful delivery of brother taylor.it is a master stroke in the vein of marvin gaye. it is sad that the juvenile musical acts that pass for r+b and soul in the united states continue to be regurgitated and fed to us through the tiny straw of popular radio while gems such as lewis taylor's effort don't get released here. label execs wake the hell up.lewis taylor's cd is the perfect amalgamation of old soul flavor and modern aural sensibilities, rhythms and textures. his voice betrays what certainly must be his most important musical influence [marvin], down to the layering and rhythms of some of the harmonies, and yet taylor still manages to carve out his own soulful vocal identity.i'll be buying anything this brother puts out in the future. speaking of which, i cannot tell if he is a lightly complexioned black man or white, but either way, with an effort like this, he's my brother. i'd love to write some songs for him."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1