James Taylor (JTQ) - 'Shadows and Dreams' (LP/CD)

Revered for his Hammond organ work, soul-jazz grooves, soundtrack-inspired sound, and his three-decade career leading the JTQ, unknown to many is James’ deep love of classical music. 

Perhaps due to a wariness of the taboos around someone of his background recording classical music, it’s a project he has delayed for some time. Until now. Having worked with James since the formation of the label, we’re hugely proud to go on this journey with him.

“I’ve been wanting to do this for ages because solo classical piano is a big part of my musical life but not its not represented in any way by me publicly… It’s this aspect of my music that informs all the other musical genres that I’m involved in and its central to that, be it orchestrating, performing or composing.”  - James Taylor

Recorded solo on a Steinway grand piano, James performs some of his favourite pieces from the classical cannon, with familiar tunes alongside lesser-known works on this beautiful, atmospheric recording. 'Shadows and Dreams' explores Taylor’s love of classical piano across nine tracks, including his interpretations of pieces by JS and CPE Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Scarlatti.

Feeling music must evolve and move forward – much as it did when in the late 1980s the James Taylor Quartet released a jazzy Herbie Hancock cover to indie kids – Taylor feels strongly that these classical sonatas must also be fresh, modern and relevant and shouldn’t just be in the hands of a certain few but shared with the many as their composers intended. 

“My sense is that James Taylor Quartet fans may find it pleasant to put this album on while they’re going about their day and hopefully it’ll kindle some kind of new love for this music in them.”  - James Taylor

'When Ed and I discussed bringing James back to the label, it was the diversity of the music that he wanted to make that truly excited us. 'Shadows And Dreams' was central to that concept' - Dean Rudland, Acid Jazz Records 

1. J S Bach – Polonaise In G Major BMV 130

2. Beethoven – Sonata No 20 Opus 49 'Leichte Sonata' First Movement

3. Beethoven – Sonata No 20 Opus 49 'Leichte Sonata' Second Movement

4. CPE Bach – Solfeggietto In C Minor

5. Beethoven – Sonata No 8 'Pathetique' Second Movement Adagio Cantabile

6. J S Bach – French Suite No 5 Gavotte

7. W A Mozart – Sonata K 545

8. Domenico Scarlatti – Allegretto In E Minor

9. Beethoven – Sonata No 14 Opus 27 'Moonlight Sonata'