Review Text
KENNETH TAYLOR For thirty years, multi-instrumentalist Kenneth Taylor (aka Kentaa) has been a force of creativity in the world of recorded music, working with some of the most important talents in music, theater and film. Starting in 1976, Taylor began working with recording artist/producer Strafe (creator of the underground club classic "Set It Off"), embarking on a creative relationship which continues to the present. By 1979, Taylor was working with soul/rhythm & blues legend Don Covey (author of Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools" and "See Saw"), co-writing the song "Meter Reader/Time Keeper." He also worked with dance producer Paul Simpson during that same year. The 1980s began a flood of activity for Taylor, starting with his collaborative work for Sharon Jones (of later Dap-Kings fame) and dance diva Shannon (vocalist on the legendary dance floor hits ("Let the Music Play" and "Give Me Tonight"). He wrote, arranged and recorded demos for these artists before their major recognition in the music industry. By 1984 he was producing Tonya Wynne on the songs "Hooked on You" for Reelin & Rockin Records, and "Dreams" for the Panic Records label in 1986, the latter of which was mixed by world renowned DJ, Ken Carpenter (receiving major airplay from influential DJ Frankie Crocker). Taylor worked with DJ/producer David Morales during the 1987-88 period, while vocal coaching and producing tracks for dance artist, Barbara Tucker. During this same period, Taylor began doing productions for Atlantic Records, working with C&C Music Factory producer Robert Clivilles on Dorothy Galdez's "One Love" and Sharon Harris' "Shy Guy." He also worked with Clivilles on the single "It's Too Late" for singer Lydia Love on the N.Y. Groove Records label. The song was co-written by Taylor, La India and Clivilles, and was mixed by DJ Ken Carpenter. By the 1990s, Taylor began co-writing songs with Ankh Ra Amenhetep, vocal coach for Sean Puffy "P. Diddy" Combs' Making The Band 4, and Sandra Dubose-Gibson, both of whom he works with currently. Taylor also works with award winning choreographer Obediah Wright, founder of the Balance Dance Theatre, beginning work with him in 1988. In film, Taylor has provided music for "Hard Chorus" and "Hip Hop in the Promised Land"-two shorts from Joseph Meadows Productions by award winning director Jamal Joseph for Comedy Central, circa 1992-93. From 1996-1998 he worked on video projects by director/producer Angela Fontanez for the Spence-Chapin company. By 2008, Taylor scored music for indi movie director McClinton Karma Stanley's Take No Prisoners, and also worked on Sandra Dubose-Gibson's film Project Liberation that same year.
