What does it sound like?:
A lazy comparison often made for Mike Taylor is “the Syd Barrett of Jazz”, usually with reference to his LSD-assisted mental breakdown and subsequent demise. The real similarity is that both were true originals, ploughing a unique furrow in their chosen field and leaving behind frustratingly little recorded evidence of their undoubted talents — in Taylor’s case, just two studio albums, recently joined by Mandala, a live recording from early 1965, and now this.
Preparation is a rehearsal tape made by the Quartet’s bass player, Tony Reeves. It was the final rehearsal for what would prove to be Taylor’s closest brush with fame: providing support for Ornette Coleman on his first appearance outside the US. The set consists of four pieces that would subsequently appear on Pendulum plus two more Taylor originals and the jazz standard Autumn Leaves. It’s all fascinating stuff for the converted; but for the merely curious I would advise awaiting Pendulum’s re-release as part of the Decca’s British Jazz Explosion series.
I find it very hard to describe Taylor’s music to the uninitiated. The best I can come up with is: try to imagine jazz if it came out of a European classical tradition. Musicians he worked with have recollected him stating something to that effect. His influences are hard to detect, but Coltrane, Bill Evans and Horace Silver are definitely in there, along with a lot of classical music.
Anyway, there’s stuff on You Tube if I’ve made anyone inclined to give it a go.
What does it all *mean*?
I’ll let Graham Bond have the final word: “Mike was the wellspring. Everyone dug him.”
Goes well with…
Sunny autumn days with a breeze wafting in through the French windows, a glass of something cold and very definitely alcoholic and a contemplative mood.
Release Date:
17 September 2021.
Might suit people who like…
1960s British Jazz, true innovators
Colin H says
I have it on vinyl, but haven’t yet had the time to listen! The booklet, by Richard Morton Jack, looks fantastic.
duco01 says
Richard Morton Jack? He’s the guy who edited that book “Galactic Ramble”, isn’t he? I’ve got that. It’s a labour of love – brilliant!
dwightstrut says
The booklet is, indeed, very good and contains some details of Mike Taylor’s life and quotes from people who knew him that I haven’t come across before.
Colin H says
Yes, I’ve now read it – superb work from Richard.
dwightstrut says
So, have you listened to it? I’d be interested to read your thoughts.
(I had a suspicion when I posted this it would just be me and Colin H, but – hey – Colin, you’re good company.)
Colin H says
I listened today, Dwight. A very nice noise-free vinyl pressing – though it skids back once it gets to the run out groove, strangely. I’ll be listening again, of course – but I remain of the view that his story and lean body of work, along with an original artistry, mean that he’s overrated. Like Nick Drake, he’s not a genius – just a very distinctive ‘voice’, and a clearly English/British one, within the field in which he operated.
Listening to ‘Preparation’ made me realise that Howard Riley seemed to take on his approach and run with it (Howard’s first album appeared in 1968, with ‘Angle’ a fuller realisation of his angular, quirky writing in 1970). Though Howard’s work was darker.
I still think that the best way to hear Mike Taylor, or at least his singular music, is through two sets of recordings by others: the fabulous 1973 Denis-Preston-produced album ‘Mike Taylor Remembered’ (unreleased at the time, released in recent times by Dusk Fire on CD and someone else on vinyl); and the 1969 BBC broadcast by the Dave Gelly Sextet ‘The Music of Mike Taylor’ (available on Repertoire’s recent ‘Barbara Thompson at the BBC’ 14CD set).
dwightstrut says
Interesting. Thank you.
I’m familiar with the material mentioned in your last par, but not Howard Riley. I’ll be checking that one out.
At the risk of opening a can of worms, when you say “… along with an original artistry, mean that he’s overrated. Like Nick Drake, he’s not a genius – just a very distinctive ‘voice’…”, I think I understand what you are saying, but what is ‘genius’ if it is not being original?
Mike_H says
I would say Genius, in music or any other of the Arts, is Originality Plus.
That “Mike Taylor Remembered” album is a cracker. Not heard the Dave Gelly one. Yet.
dwightstrut says
Please continue.
Plus what? A few examples?
(Sorry for sounding like an exam question.)
Mike_H says
Sorry to not have a precise answer.
Originality plus an indefinable something that makes you think “Yes!”. And the ability to do it again but not the same (thus not just an accidental occurence).
dwightstrut says
Fair enough, but originality is something you can offer evidence in support of; the rest you’re describing seems entirely subjective.
None of which is to say you’re wrong, but my scientific brain is searching for a metric.
Colin H says
I can’t define genius, save that it’s innate and rare – it can’t be learned. And it’s not necessarily a path to fame, wealth or appreciation – but it might be.
Colin H says
Dwight, here is a good example of Howard Riley’s shared Venn diagram space with Mike Taylor – ‘Angle’, recorded by the NJO in 1969 (from memory).
dwightstrut says
Thank you. I do have all The NJO records, but I hadn’t made the connection.
Mike_H says
I would say Genius, in music or any other of the Arts, is Originality Plus.
BassTony says
Would like to hear what you both thought about the material, the solos, the overall spiritedness and immediacy, the sound quality?
“Dinner with Herb” was recorded in 1979, btw.