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Dennis Taylor – In the mood – Dome CD45

Dennis Taylor is becoming one of the distinctive voices on the UK soul scene. Hopefully elsewhere to. This album exceeds the previous albums in terms of quality, material and production.

Dennis and his production team are now able to come up with a vibe that is perfectly suited to Dennis's delivery. The musicians are real, it's so good to hear a real saxophone for example. The other material and guests that have been chosen, ie Rahsaan Patterson and Sam Dees songs and Wincey Terry on vocals, fit perfectly into the basic framework. In fact the vocals of Wincey are one of the major enhancements in my view.

Mood music for sure, as the title would suggest. The easy groove and feel never really getting beyond midtempo but some of the cuts will get to the dancefloor in the UK

At the place – a great opening track, one that has also been remixed for dancefloor reaction. The sax meanders in the background, Wincey on backing delivers a catchy hook, Dennis husky yet not rough, bouncy yet not to fast.

Now that I found you – Love this track, the tempo slightly increased over the opening track. Again excellent backing vocals, Dennis almost freestyling on the vocals.

In the Mood – Keeping the pace up, so there is sufficient of this kind of track to satiate the UK dancers for a few months yet. Heavier backbeat and my guess therefore is that this is the one that will go down best in the Modern Soul Rooms

Don't wanna give up – Change of style this time, mellowed right down with guest Brook Richardson on both the pen and vocals. Brook has previously written for Luther Vandross and you can easily see that in this song. Strong production and Dennis is as soulful on this as anything that I have heard from him, the vocals being more upfront and slightly more of an R'n'B styling.

Want – enlisting the help of Rahsaan Patterson and Jamey Jaz, on a song that Rahsaan could quite easily have done himself. Another strong vocal performance, and a great improvement to previous material. If the quality stays like this then Dennis will break through.

Can't stop loving you – Back downtempo for a standard ballad.

Better Days – The album now comes right down, I quite like this ballad, the production is more sparse reminding me of the Songs in the Key period of Stevie Wonder, but being laid bare it allows Dennis's lead and Wincey's backing to sound prominent.

Sometimes – melodic bouncy ballad again easing along on the back of Wincey's harmonies.

Respect – another melody driven tune, the melodies are certainly helping to give this album it's appeal.

Truly – Bit messier this one and didn't much for me I'm afraid.

You Said – Slight change of direction in this stop start affair, Unsure.

Am I Dreaming (ft Wincey Terry) – Out and out slow and deep ballad duet, as you would expect and know, when it comes from the pen of Sam Dees. Previously done by Atlantic Starr. A pretty good working and in a different style, and I mean put together in a different way – an older style, than the rest of the album, and it's just about carried off.

A much improved album than before, certainly half of it is top notch and for me that's a pretty good ratio.

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