After two years of waiting, saxman Paul Taylor has now offered up his follow-up to Nightlife.  His latest release, Ladies’ Choice, is sure to be a crowd pleaser for most.  It’s already Billboard’s #1 Contemporary Jazz Album.  Paul, once again, mixes things up on the eleven tracks with soprano and alto saxes.  But this time, Paul also includes five R&B-ish vocals from notables Regina Belle and Latoya London, as well as Lauren Evans and Terry Dexter.  It’s an interesting combination of instrumentals and vocals.

First the instrumentals.  The title track opens the CD.  This is also the first radio single released and is a sure fire winner.  It’s signature Paul Taylor with its headbopping, bouncy groove that just grabs you and takes you on the ride.  It’s a great opening to the CD.  “Here We Go” falls into the same category.  Fun, upbeat and very melodic.  Paul really lets loose on the alto and Ricky Lawson keeps the beat moving on drums.  “Streamline” is a totally beat driven tune with Paul adding the melody on the alto.  You can’t help but move along with this one because it is a very catchy tune.  About mid-song, Paul goes into more improvisation while the beat keeps pounding.

“Summer’s End” is a toned down, sentimental track.  Paul plays both the soprano sax and vocoder, which adds a nice touch.  This song is played with such a gentle touch.  Quite reflective.  “Overdrive” and “Point of View” feature Paul on alto and Dwayne “Smitty” Smith on bass.  Both again have that signature Paul Taylor sound, catchy melody and fun fast paced groove. 

As mentioned, there are five vocals on the CD.  Peak Records labelmates Regina Belle, featured on “How Did You Know” and “Open Your Eyes,” and Latoya London, on “I Want To Be Loved (By You),” add charisma and depth to the songs.  Lauren Evans is lead vocalist on “A Love Of Your Own,” and Terry Dexter is showcased on “Long Distance Relationship.”  While each of these songs are pleasing to the ear, offer terrific vocals, and show Paul’s abilities to accompany these terrific women, the overall feel was that they were somewhat of a distraction.  I was looking forward to hearing eleven tracks of Paul Taylor’s groove, complete with that unmistakable sound.  I still love it, just would love it more with just PT.

- Bonnie Schendell