Lewis Taylor: The Lost Album
Jim Irvin, MOJO, 2004
SHORTLY AFTER HIS brilliant debut, Taylor declared his next album would be an even more ambitious blend of soul and West Coast pop, proper Crosby, Stone & Brian. Delivering detailed demo of same, he was shocked to have it rubbished by his labels MD, who greenlighted a straighter set which derailed Taylors major-label career. "The lost album" survived in the mind of fans (and Taylor) as a totem of what might have been. In charge of his own destiny again, he decided to finish it, and is justifiably thrilled with the result. After a muted, slightly clichéd start - which may be where that MD defaulted - it blossoms into something superb, Taylor obviously enjoying himself enormously. Lets Hope Nobody Finds Us, New Morning, Say I Love You and One More Mystery have the emotional punch he sometimes neglects to pack, and everything comes up billowing harmonies, stirring dynamics and deep melodic grace.
Total word count of piece: 154