James Taylor - one of the great British instrumentalists of his generation - has taken his trademark howling Hammond sound to the masses for over 25 years. The band’s relentlessly entertaining tunes take inspiration from the rare-groove style funk, and boogaloo funk of the 60s and 70s and, the band is, without a doubt, one of the most important jazz-pop crossover outfits in British live musical history today. After the collapse of mod legends The Prisoners in the 1980s, and before moving to Sweden, James recorded some demos with brother David on guitar, the bass player from The Prisoners, and a drummer from down the road... and thus The James Taylor Quartet was born. From tiny acorns mighty oaks do indeed grow, and it wasn't long before the first single, Blow Up, had been released, the band were in the studio rehearsing for the Mission Impossible EP, gigs were booked, and the late great John Peel was offering a session. Skip forward 25 years and JTQ has evolved into one of the most exciting and well respected touring bands in the UK. With numerous albums to its name, the band’s recorded output is not to be scoffed at. 'Prolific' is an understatement, with albums touching genres as diverse as jazz, funk, soul, rock, and even rap, not to mention a handful of library albums in between. Each album is an absolute must for any Hammond fan: James' playing providing a solid and accomplished lead as always. Live, the band is explosive, with a breathtaking, diverse unmatched back catalogue. James Taylor is the best Hammond player this side of the Atlantic Craig Charles BBC6 FUNK AND SOUL SHOW James Taylor..one of the all-time great Hammond players Nicky Wire from the Manic Street Preachers, NME