TAYLOR'S UNIVERSE

RIO? Avant? Come on, give it up !!! As long as I can listen to it and rate with 3 and higher stars, it is NOT that insane :) 3.5 stars.

TAYLOR'S UNIVERSE self-titled debut provides a wide range of genres - from really avantish bangings closer to album's end to movie-like dark music and even some rocky instrumentals. Multi-genred and multi-styled, but not directionless - rather strong and enjoyable. I won't tell you that this is music to listen to daily, but it's great (even more for such an Avant Newbie like me), varied and challenging. Tracks are rather short (with amazing "Strange Meetings" as the longest clocking at 6:40) and you can start your listening from any of them without losing the whole point and feeling. Despite the lack of emotions one can feel and sometimes lo-fi quality (some passages as if played by toy- kybds or toy-guitars!), TAYLOR'S UNIVERSE is a fine CD and can be highly recommended. Thanks for Eugene for introducing me into Robin's world. Will keep exploring!

This was Robin Taylor's third overall release but the first under the TAYLOR'S UNIVERSE name. They are a trio of keys,drums and Robin who plays just about everything. There are four guests helping out on guitars, sax and trumpet. Diverse is certainly the word that comes to mind when I listen to this record.

"Entering Universe" is what i'd describe as a bright track with the drums being very active. "Emmadusa" opens with trumpet and I like when the bass and drums come in before a minute. Some deranged guitar follows then the trumpet is back after 2 minutes with that bass / drum section. Nice. "Strange Meetings" is a Fusiony sounding track and I like it. It settles with sax 4 minutes in and we get some synth guitar too before the sax and sound kicks back in. "Secret Wedding" is experimental with atmosphere. In fact it's a very atmospheric tune and quite dark as well. "Hearing Noises,Imagining Things" has this pulsating sound with atmosphere. Dissonant sax before 1 1/2 minutes as the bass and a beat become prominant. The guitar solos before 2 1/2 minutes. Keys and a heavy sound dominate late. "Pfiffer's Head(Pulling Iron)" opens with the sounds of children playing as a circus-like soundscape comes in. Laughter then is repeated over and over in a creepy manner (haha).

"Saturday Night" has this beat as sax plays over top. Guitar before 1 1/2 minutes and it trades off with the sax. The bass and drums create a nice heavy backdrop. "Trick Or Treat" features trumpet and good solid sound.Some great sounding guitar before 5 minutes as well. "Joie De Vivre" is epic sounding like a movie sountrack to an adventure. The guitar is crying out 1 1/2 minutes in. "Flemming Junker / Junker's Slaughterhouse" has this beat with processed vocals. They stop then we can hear someone typing before it kicks in with sax,drums and more. "Mr. Garlic" is Jazzy stuff and we get some organ early on and piano late. "Jeff's Office" is led by laid back trumpet eventually. That is destroyed by some nasty guitar expressions before the sax returns late. Great track ! "Meetings" is experimental early on as dissonant sax and random drum patterns follow. A calm after 2 minutes. Heavy guitar later with more random drum patterns. This song sounds like it's live and it's one of my favourites. "Feel" is the mellow closer.

This is well worth the 4 star rating. An interesting album.

Robin Taylor is undoubtfully the most important and prolific figure of the modern Danish prog scene.He was born in 1956 in Kopenhagen and became a skilled composer, multi- instrumentalist and producer throughout the years.In 1988 he met keyboardist Jan Marsfeldt, with whom he recorded his first solo album in 1991 but also formed Taylor's Universe in 1993 along with a third member, drummer Mads Hansen.Taylor established also his own Marvel of Beauty Records around the time, on which he released the eponymous debut of Taylor's Universe.

With some help on guitars and wind instruments by session musicians, the trio presented an eclectic Progressive/Jazz Rock style on this album with a versatile approach and lots of different themes.There is some complex Jazz/Fusion ideas thrown in, bordering to demanding Avant-Prog at moments, not fully supported by the average sound of keyboards, but nevertheless with some nice parts here and there.The more melodic approach with the trumpets on the forefront remind a bit of MIRIODOR.But Taylor shows also his Classic Prog roots in a number of pieces with grandiose and very atmospheric keys, complicated guitar lines and shifting moods and these are quite close to the adventurous sound of ECHOLYN or FINNES GAUGE.Despite its complexity the album has plenty of melodic passages to balance the more challenging ideas and Taylor delivered also a different side of himself in a few tracks, bordering with Free Jazz, Electronic or RIO.Of course all these different musical directions hurt the coherence of the release, but the result is more than positive at the end.

This is where the word ''eclectic'' finds its meaning.''Taylor's Universe'' is a great album for anyone searching for some Progressive Rock with diversity and comes at least recommended as a whole to the prog audience in general.

Robin's third release, in 1994, saw him at the forefront of a jazz trio with some additional musicians. Jan was still there on keyboards while the drummer was now Mads Hansen. Additional musicians could be found in the welcome return (to my ears at least) of Jakob Mygind on saxophone, along with Hugh Steinmetz (trumpet), Henning Plannthin (guitar) and Henrik Andersen (guitar). Although I really enjoyed the previous album there are far more elements and clarity of vision with this release. The drums are far more involved, definitely driving the music along while the strong brass section gives some extra power in the top end ? and of course there are now three guitarists. Strangely that doesn't mean huge passages of complex interplay or frantic workouts, but just some differing styles and moods that are brought together to take the music to the next level.

Strong pianowork combines with the keyboards and some glissando style guitar to hearken back to the powerful days of bands like National Health while also looking forward. Sometimes the guitars are acoustic, while others there are some strong rock type riffing going on. It really is a case of if you don't really enjoy what the band are playing them hang on a minute as it is all about to change. If you love experimental music and/or jazz then this is an album that is truly essential on so many different levels