When you listen to Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, it's clear to see how completely connected he is to the music and to his dancers. The music comes from his heart and his soul and emanates out as pure energy. Steeped in the traditions of his birthright and emulating the Zydeco greats, Curley is forging his own path with humbled grace, charm and a syncopated rhythm that simply won’t quit. Yet, he is free enough to let the music breathe and grow within those traditions. He believes the music must grow and change or it will die.

If you are looking to hear covers of Beau Jacque, Clifton Chenier and other Zydeco icon's, you won't find it here. Curley and his band are on a mission to draw in a wider audience. They are rising to the demands of the younger generation in SWLA who are craving new and fresh but yet recognizable and familiar. Curley achieves it with this project. Every piece on this project is original both in lyrics and in composition.

Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble's newest project, Zydeco Heart and Soul takes the traditional syncopated Zydeco styles and adds a good dose of funk, soul, R&B and just a touch of hip hop to offer a style that is uniquely Curley Taylor. Curley had a hand in writing 10 of the 12 cuts on the CD; collaborating with Altonio Jackson, Jr., Darrel Sayre and Rob LaFleur.

The CD project is well produced and mixed with a clear and crisp sound. . Curley is blessed with a perfect singing voice for a bluesy R&B style. His vocals stand out clearly on the recording. Curley's vocals and accordion lead the way with support from the lead guitar, percussion, keyboards and bass. This band has become very tight behind Curley's lead.

Each cut on the CD is highly danceable with great rhythm. Most songs will be familiar for those of you who have danced to Curley in the clubs or live on tour but listening to the CD will enhance dancing to a live performance because it allows you to contemplate the words to the song and internalize them along with the great dance beat. The CD departs from the live performance with some special effects to the vocals on a few of the cuts but these are not over done and do not detract from Curley's essential style.

Right from the first note from Curley's accordion on All Nite Long, you are on a journey that will uplift you and keep your feet moving till the last drum beat on Take it 2 Tha Club Remix. There are no clear favorites of mine as each pick on the CD offers something a little different and it's all good music. Lyrically, it is more complex then traditional Zydeco tunes and thematically the focus is on Love. What come through here and in Curley's live shows is that Curley truly has a passion for what he is doing and the musical results bears that passion.

Project Title:		Zydeco Heart and Soul
Artist:		Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble
Released:		2009 Louisiana Soul Records
Produced by:		Curly Taylor
Recorded:		Cecil Green
Mastered and Mixed:		Ivan Klisanin
Record Label:		Louisiana Soul Records

Song List/Credits

All Nite Long		(C. Taylor, D. Sayrie, A. Jackson, Jr.)
Zydeco Cutie		(C. Taylor)
In and Out of My Life		(C. Taylor, R. LaFleur)
Love		(C. Taylor, R. LaFleur)
Baby Dontcha Go		(C. Taylor, A. Jackson Jr.)
Never Gonna Give U Up		(C. Taylor, A. Jackson Jr.)
911 Lover		(D. Sayrie)
Make Love 2 U		(C. Taylor, A. Jackson Jr.)
Curley's 2 Step		(C. Taylor)
Take It 2 The Club		(C. Taylor, Sir Polo, A. Jackson Jr.)
I Got Something 4 U "Mandy B"		(C. Jacko, J Arvie)
Take It 2 Tha Club Re Mix (featuring Altonio, Sir Polo)		(C. Taylor, Sir Polo, A. Jackson Jr.)

Musicians
Curley Taylor – Vocals and Accordion
Donovon "Big D" Guidry – guitar, background vocals
Koray Broussard – bas, background vocals
Jacque Randell – rubbord
Ryan Arceneaux – additional rubbord
Christophey Jefferson – additional drums
Olivier Scoazec – additional guitar
Altonio Jackson Jr. – songwriter, background vocals
Rober LaFleur – songwriter, background vocals
Darrell Sayrie – songwriter, background vocals, additional bass

Photos by: Ryan Arceneaux and Rachel Taylor

This CD was purchased for a review at a Zydeco dance in Rochester, NY