Melvin Taylor - Plays The Blues For You

180g audiophile vinyl reissue, remastering by Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London.

Guitarist Melvin Taylor's fluid, smartly constructed solos and understated yet winning vocals are surprises on this 1984 nine-track set recorded for Isabel. Taylor is not a fancy or arresting singer but succeeds through his simple, effective delivery of lyrics, slight inflections, and vocal nuances. His guitar work is impressive, with skittering riffs, shifting runs, and dashing solos. Organist/pianist Lucky Peterson is an excellent second soloist, adding cute background phrases at times, then stepping forward and challenging or buttressing Taylor's playing with his own dazzling lines. - Ron Wynn, AllMusic

Every song is precious but the take on Albert King's timeless I'll Play The Blues For You is an absolute diamond. It is an important reminder of the longstanding conversation between soul, jazz and blues that is far from outdated. - **** Kevin Le Gendre, Echoes