DENNIS TAYLOR

Interview 6 November 2001

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Hi Dennis

Thanks for agreeing to do this

Can we start pre 'Enough is Enough' - tell me about what you were doing prior to this. Tell us about your background and your upbringing. Your from Brooklyn right?

Yes, I'm originally from Brooklyn but I went into the services (US Air Force) when I was in my twenties and that was in Virginia

You were in the air force - did this help in any way, or hinder.

During my time in the service I was in a band and we were performing regularly for the service personnel. A lot of people thought I should be singing professionally so eventually I decided to leave and give it a shot

How did this evolve into writing and performing

I spent quite a lot of time in the Nineties trying to find the right style and direction. Inevitably it takes a while before you hook up with the right people

What material have you put down prior to 'enough' and how successful - or not - was it.

I began writing with Fred McFarlane and his then partner Allen George around the time they were hot with Robin S - but it took a long time for things to gell and that began to happen when Darryl James came into the picture and Fred, Darryl and I became a team

'Enough is enough' was picked up big time over here - what was the reaction elsewhere. It was popular on the Soul scene here and picked up R'n'B as well.

Darryl James is a DJ on one of our biggest urban stations here in New York, WRKS and the station started playing"Enough" really heavily. As a result it became a big record in New York but the "Enough" album never did get released properly in the US

Of course it led to the link with Dome I assume.

Peter Robinson, who runs Dome, was hearing "Enough" on the radio in the UK from the US import pressing and liked the track a lot. He didn't know at the time that Fred was involved - or that the record was available - but when he found out that Fred had co-written and produced it he made a deal for it right away because he and Fred had known each other since back in the Eighties when Peter was at RCA doing A&R

The album was strong I feel with strong R & B cuts, such as 'Out of Control' and 'You Know Just When', the single 'Smile' and 'Bad As You Wanna Be'. Also contained good ballads. What did you like about the album?

I think it has a good balance of songs. There's something for all tastes.

Tell me about the writing process

Fred and Darryl usually come up with the tracks and then let me get down to work on lyrics and top line melody

You then came to the UK and appeared at the Jazz Café which went down well I understand?

It was an eye-opener to see how much familiarity there is with my songs over there and to be so warmly received was wonderful. I won't forget it in a hurry

The second album is just out 'Unconditional' and is receiving excellent reviews. Now shoot me down here Dennis, as I seem to be in a minority, but I don't feel that the album is particularly strong. There are some good tracks like 'Fills me up', 'Steppin' 'It'sover'. How has this album progressed over the first one in your view. And what do you expect from it.

It may be a little less focused on the dance area but I think the songs overall are pretty strong. Time will tell but so far I'm pleased with the general reaction to the record.

We do record our albums quite quickly and I'd like to be able to take a little longer the next time

Speaking generally now and to try and put my criticism into perspective I find that the backing on many Independent productions is lacking- it's all programmed and mechanical. Now I don't expect everything to have the 'balls' of a Muscle Shoals but do you know what I mean. To enhance this view I could say that tracks have been given more depth on the remix.

Well, with all independent albums there are generally budgetary limitations. I wish I could have the kind of budget someone like Luther gets to work with, but I know that's not realistic - you have to earn that right by selling records and progressing in your career

(Sorry about that Dennis I may have picked you out unfairly but I'd rather say what I feel - I hope you understand and doubtless I'll be proved wrong!!!)

That said there are some top cuts- and they are growing on me the more I here them - 'Steppin' and 'It's over' I like big time - What to you are the standout tracks.

I love "Unconditional", that's my favorite. I also really like "Steppin'"

Tell me about your 'team' - Fred McFarlane & Darryl James

As I mentioned, Darryl has been a radio DJ here in New York for about 10 years. He does a lot of the drum programming on my records. Fred was a musician in the D Train band when he started out in the early Eighties. His first break into production was "Somebody Else's Guy" by Jocelyn Brown, and he's also worked with Keith Sweat back in the day

I guess you'll be coming over here to the UK again for promotion?

We hope to be back in England in April next year

How does your product go down in the States.

It is very well received by those who've heard it, but until we have proper distribution of my albums here I'm still best known in New York

How much 'giggin' do you do?

Not a lot but I'm hoping to do more next year

Who are your influences, both performance wise and writing.

I've been influenced by lots of artists, mainly artists from the Sixties like Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke. My uncles used to sing in a group and they were early influences on me and made me think about singing professionally

You write most of your own lyrics - do you write for anyone else? or is there anyone you would like to pick up your tunes

I have occasionally written for other artists and want to do more. It was great to write the duet "Could Be You" for Beverlei Brown on her album

Is there anything your up to right now - what interests do you have. Any more comments?

I'm really sorry we weren't able to come over to play live in London and at Southport in November as originally planned. One of the musicians who played Jazz Cafe with me earlier this year, our drummer Scott, was an army reservist, and soon after September 11 he got called up for possible active service. It made us think hard about whether now was the right time to be doing live dates overseas. Hopefully we'll be over in April or May.

Thanks to all my UK fans. I really appreciate your interest in me and my music.

Good luck with the album and thanks for your time. Try and get to see you when you're in the UK