In The Hands Of The Inevitable The James Taylor Quartet

£11.50

Genre:
Acid Jazz
Label:
BGP
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDBGPD 191

2008 sees the 20th Anniversary of the Acid Jazz label – still headed up by its founder Ed Piller – and BGP Records are proud to be involved in this landmark event too. In fact BGP is celebrating our 21st Birthday this year. In the last 12 months we have carefully repackaged some of the most influential items in the Acid Jazz catalogue, landmarks in UK soul and funk such as the Brand New Heavies debut album, and the first ever collection of Snowboy’s legendary singles. As our first release of this year we are pleased to bring to you an extended version of The James Taylor Quartet’s biggest selling and best album IN THE HAND OF THE INEVITABLE.

The James Taylor Quartet had started life as a mod jazz organ combo, who soon embraced funkier elements to become the founding fathers of the acid jazz movement with their three albums on Polydor’s Urban label and their anthemic singles Starsky And Hutch and Love The Life. When they were eventually contracted to Acid Jazz in late 1993 it was the label’s biggest ever signing. The record they were to make was to be a panoramic overview of the UK soul/jazz funk scene, with James Taylor not just the musical driving force, but the ringmaster of a coming together of some of the finest British soul musicians.

The album took nearly a year to record and when it was delivered featured an incredible array of music. From sweet soul, through Lonnie Liston Smith-style fusion grooves to hard funk organ, all under one roof. A masterpiece, it was anchored around a trio of exceptional soul songs – Love Will Keep Us Together, Good Thing and Stepping Into My Life, all featuring the vocals of Alison Limerick. So much music was recorded that four tracks appeared only on “The Extended Play” mini LP led off with Stepping Into My Life that are reunited with the original album for the first time on this CD.

The lead single Love Will Keep Us Together was a Top 75 hit, and the album went on to sell 200,000 copies worldwide, but its afterlife was as gratifying. The tracks that Taylor keeps in his live set from the LP are always greeted rapturously and both Love Will Keep Us… and Stepping… are genuine floor fillers at modern soul rooms in the UK and beyond. It is with this in mind that we present a wonderful album remastered to sound better than it ever has before, plus all of the music from the album sessions.

By Dean Rudland

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We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

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