Award-winning musician and producer Doc City will release Welcome to Doc City (Deluxe Edition) on January 27, 2023, an album impelled by R&B, pop, and jazz elements. It’s a grand album, one not to be missed.
Doc City is the musical project of Clarence Taylor, M.D., who began performing in clubs and venues when he was 15 years old as the bassist for numerous R&B, funk, jazz, and pop bands. The son of a Baptist minister, Doc City’s sound is tinted by the gospel, spiritual, and soul savors he was immersed in while growing up.
He co-wrote a song appearing on an album by Pieces of a Dream, which hit Billboard’s Top 10 Contemporary Jazz chart. In 1998, Clarence Taylor received an Achievement Award for Outstanding Song Composition in the International John Lennon Songwriters Competition, sponsored by Billboard Magazine for his composition “What Have I Done.”
Adopting the moniker Doc City, in 2001, Doc City and his band were the first runner-ups, beating out 70 other bands, in the Jazziz Magazine/Mercedes Benz/Smooth Jazz Radio Ohio Silver Cup Competition. In 2002, Doc City was nominated as the Best R&B/Soul Band in the Cleveland Free Times Music Awards. In 2012, Doc City had several of his songs featured on the soundtrack of the international movie Never Bloomers.
As a Doctor of Medicine, Taylor has practiced medicine for more than 20 years. With board certifications in both Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Dr. Taylor practices at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation and is a Diplomat Fellow of the American College of Physicians.
Artists featured on the album include Sean Jones (trumpet), Lafayette Carthon (piano), Steve Cox (piano, Moog), Steve Mackey (bass), Kenney Anderson (sax), and Jamey Haddad (percussion).
Comprising a dozen tracks, the album begins with “What Love Is,” a deliciously, creamy jazz-tinted R&B tune topped by a plush female voice smoldering with deluxe tones. A sparkling piano and luxurious trumpet imbue the harmonics with swanky glamor.
Highlights include an irresistible cover of Sade’s “Sweetest Taboo,” flavored by a syncopated rhythm and shades of sophisticated jazz textures. While “Your Ego Too” rolls out on a luscious funk rhythm, captivating piano, and braying organ.
A drifting, soulful guitar opens “I’ll Still Be There For You,” followed by the entry of a tender, evocative voice backed by a floating trumpet. Gentle and oh-so-velvety, the tune oozes quixotic aromas.
The reprise version of “No Goodbyes” drips with tasty soul surfaces and passionate vocals rife with the melancholy sweetness of love.
With Welcome to Doc City (Deluxe Edition), Doc City parades his gift for intoxicating R&B painted by scrumptious R&B and jazz.
