John Taylor Trio - Decipher '1973/2015

Tracks list

“…one of contemporary jazz’s great performers…”
so reads the prestigious Guardian newspaper’s assessment of English
pianist John Taylor. As house pianist at London’s legendary Ronny
Scott’s jazz club, Taylor accompanied many of the icons of jazz, and in
so doing honed his individual style into what became one of the most important
voices on the European jazz scene. The gigs and recordings of his own groups,
his long-time association with trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, his many ECM trio
recordings with Peter Erskine and Palle Danielsonn and groups lead by the likes
of Jan Garbarek and John Surman established Taylor’s importance.
Taylor’s 1973 MPS trio album Decipher features two top players, bassist
Chris Laurence and drummer Tony Levin, who perfectly compliment Taylor’s
wide-ranging style on an album that offers the listener a delicious taste of his
compositions. The virtuoso sprint of Cipher melds into the varying tempos and
emotions of Wait For Me, whereas Leaping is a pointillist abstract exchange
between the three. The emotive jazz waltz Speak to Me plays some magical
slight-of-hand with the time, and Song For a Child sings out as a soft-spoken
ballad. White Magic powers through as a hard-swinging elixir for all that ails.
Taylor’s second album as leader presents a master composer/player at full
maturity – what a joy that this music is available once again.


Tracks:

1 Cipher/Wait For Me 11:34
2 Leaping 6:51
3 Speak To Me 8:48
4 Song For A Child 3:40
5 White Magic 5:45

Personnel:

John Taylor, piano
Chris Lawrence, bass
Tony Levin, drums

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