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The swift drum rhythms drive everything along while Nigel Price’s guitar adds a mellow compliment to Taylor’s rapid bursts. Funkier action comes in ‘Boot Up’ with a guitar and bass intro which briefly sounds like Cymande’s ‘Brothers On The Slide’ before Taylor’s chords swirl in.

Since coming to prominence in the 1980s acid jazz scene Taylor has proved himself as a prolific music maker, having released more than twenty albums in as many years. He is deservedly renowned for his ability to lead a Hammond-fronted quartet, equally adept as a musician whether energising high speed tracks as in ‘Mr Z’ or ‘Special Plus Extra’, groovy numbers like ‘Dead Leg’ and ‘Like A Fool’ or calming the mood in mellifluous songs such as ‘Never in My Wildest Dreams’, ‘French Quarter Strut’ and ‘Mincemeat’. The rhythm men Andy McKinney (bass) and Neil Robinson (drums) impress throughout, especially in my favourite track ‘Showdown’ which has a wonderful bass line and lovely varied organ melodies.

For all Taylor’s talents though I was not overly impressed with the album as a whole. Apart from changes in tempo there is little variation in style, unlike in Rory More’s marvellousCarmine Sounds EP. I expect Hammond organ lovers will appreciate it. However the exclusion of any vocalists or players other than the core four may limit its popularity. Serious organ fans can satisfy their tastes and see the quartet play at the Saint-Paul Soul Jazz festival from 19 - 21 July in Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, in South East France.

Picking up Where We Left Off is out now on Real Self. ‘Mr Z’ and ‘Dead Leg’ are also available on a vinyl 7”.

Links:
James Taylor’s website
Cymande
Kudos Records
Saint-Paul Soul Jazz festival