Prime Time

Paul Taylor (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 14, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Entertainment One Music
• ASIN: B004TB6G2M
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,448 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It's OK, June 26, 2011

By 

Chris (Milwaukee, Wi) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prime Time (MP3 Download)

I'm a huge Paul Taylor fan and really enjoy his smooth and sexy approach to his music. This album just didn't do it for me and almost seemed rush. There are a few tunes I enjoyed like Laronda and Say No More, and Prime time, but the rest were kinda bland. The vocals definitely could have been left out. If you're a PT fan definitely pick it up but don't expect it to be better than his others.. Ladies Choice was really his last great album... Somehow this one just wasn't as "sexy".

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Lightweight and formulaic background music., August 12, 2011

By 

Miss Congeniality (Portobello, Edinburgh) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prime Time (Audio CD)

** and 1/2.
The American saxophonist Paul Taylor is primarily an instrumentalist, but ironically, the best tracks on his albums are usually the ones that feature vocalists -- and that holds true on "Prime Time", which is mostly an instrumental smooth jazz album but features R&B singers on occasion.
The vocal offerings include "Space" (which features singer Andrea Anderson-Olson) and "Can't Nobody", which features Jamie Jones of All-4-One fame; both are medium-tempo R&B of the urban contemporary variety. Taylor solos on both tunes, but the vocal performances make them the best tracks on this 2011 release.
Unfortunately, the instrumentals on "Prime Time" aren't nearly as substantial, which isn't surprising given Taylor's history.
Since the 1990s, the Denver native has been playing "safe sax" of the Kenny G/Dave Koz/Richard Elliot/George Howard variety; that approach has made him a favorite on smooth jazz stations, but for those who are interested in hearing more than just lightweight background music, that automatic-pilot approach gets old in a hurry.
From "Moment of Truth" to "Laronda" to "Say No More", "Prime Time" is full of formulaic instrumentals that are more than happy to fade into the background.
The album also includes a note-for-note cover of the Kings of Leon's 2008 hit "Use Somebody", which Taylor performs as an instrumental.
Some jazz purists would fault Taylor for embracing something by an alternative pop/rock group like Kings of Leon, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with Taylor recording "Use Somebody." The fact is that jazz instrumentalists have a long history of taking mainstream popular songs and using them as vehicles for personal expression.
Regrettably, what Taylor does with "Use Somebody" sounds vacuous and superficial rather than personal, which is a shame because like so many people in smooth jazz, Taylor has the chops and the talent to offer more than just elevator music.
But again, "Prime Time" has its moments -- and "Can't Nobody" and "Space" are easy to like even though Taylor, from a creative standpoint, sells himself short on the smooth jazz instrumentals that dominate this 41-minute CD. A. Henderson
Try instead Ladies Choice

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Paul Taylor Deserves Prime Time"., June 14, 2011

By 

M. Mariba "the teacher" (pretoria, south africa) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Prime Time (Audio CD)

Paul Taylor (instrumental saxophonist) delivers great jazz in the mould of Kenny G in this new CD release, titled 'Prime Time'. Paul Taylor provides wonderful saxophone as well as guitar & keyboard sounds in this CD (10 tracks) and provides inspirational vocals in some tracks, notably on "Can't Nobody" & "Space". Stand-outs/gems/solid tracks include "Push To Start" (wonderful saxophone & music, very melodical and sound/music in this track reminiscent to Kenny G's musical sound), "Can't Nobody" (beautiful guitar/saxophone combination with great vocals), "Space" ('R 'n B' sound track with wonderful melody & female vocals) & "Use Somebody" (a slow track with incredible keyboard/saxophone/guitar combination & melody. This is my favourite track from this CD). Great tracks include "Moment Of Truth", "Don't Wanna Let You Go" & "Horizon", "Laronda" (uptempo track, great saxophone & vocals), "Say No More" & "Prime Time" (up-tempo title track for this CD with great drums/saxophone/guitars combination). On overall, Paul Taylor is in good 'space' in this CD release delivering great jazz that deserves 'prime time', a highly recommended CD listening.