***1/2 Being that Johnnie Taylor was the "King of Southern Soul/Blues" Floyd was a natural born prince of the genre. One's first reaction may be: "Here's another wannabe trying to capitalize on nepotism". That's is until you listen to the very first track "I'm Crazy About That Lady In Red". If you hadn't ever heard JT you'd impressed by Floyd's smoky, soulful chops. The song in question is also a prime cut of upbeat Southern Soul music written by Harrison Calloway and Rue Davis . Or perhaps you read the liner notes by Wolf Stephenson: "Johnnie Taylor fans will not doubt the well from which this voice is drawn. Floyd Taylor does not deny he sounds like his father when he sings. He sounds like him when he talks, laughs, sings, shouts, whispers and cries. Never think for even a moment that this is an affection. It is real, inherited; an in-the genes legitimate gift" and you were understandably skeptical before listening. Well, no hyperbole here, it's like Johnnie was still with us. Interestingly, Davis, a fabulous singer that himself sounds like Johnnie (and ZZ Hill), also contributed another winner, "I'm In Love With The Girl Next Door". Rich Cason, who scored big time with papa's "Good Love", provides the son with some strong material like "Old School Style" and "Part Time Lover". This is a delicious modern soul album period.

*** Floyd Taylor is one of the kings of Southern Soul, a title held without dispute by his late father (Yup, Johnnie Taylor) for years prior to his death. Floyd's also one of few celebrity offspring to live up to the expectations. In fact, Malaco could've released this new LP, not to mention the previous two Floyd discs, under the name "Johnnie Taylor" and I believe nobody would've been hip to the ruse. That's not to say Floyd is as good as his famous father (time will tell though!) but he's kept JT alive for most of us. Perhaps one day critics like myself will write about Floyd with nary a mention of "pops" but for the time being Malaco Records makes no bones about having Floyd make Johnnie Taylor music. There's no frontin' on a song called "I Miss My Daddy" where Floyd waxes sentimental about his father. The song is one of five written and produced by the late great Rich Cason, who incidentally was JT's producer as well. Cason's mega-hit, an uncharacteristic (for JT) slick Pop/R & B ditty with a Jeep feel called "Good Love" had changed the way JT made albums for the remainder of his career. We still got the horn-drenched Soul & Downhome Blues but each album would contain a few mainstream R & B/Hip-Hop flavored concessions ala "Good Love".

That formula has continued with Floyd and daggummit it's still working. In 2005 Floyd dominated Southern soul airwaves with Cason's "Baby I've Changed" to the point our readers voted it Southern Soul Song Of The Year (2005 Blues Critic Awards). It's late in 2007 and Cason, prior to his passing, has delivered an even better song called "You Still Got It". Perhaps the most truly romantic song of the decade. "Nineteen to twenty-two ain't got a damn on you. You still got it babe" Floyd croons to the wife of his youth who he's grown older with. An absolute genius track and yet a bittersweet swansong to Rich Cason's memorable career. (Cason was voted Record Producer Of The Year in 2005)

Now with that said the fact remains the rest of the disc (also titled "You Still Got It") pales in comparison. The other creeping, R & B jams "If I Could Do It Over", "(You're Gonna) Get Us Killed" & "What If He Knew" are filler. Both "Woman" and "Sweet Love" are mediocre Urban AC floaters that would fit snugly on a mid-80s Luther Vandross album. Even the seemingly surefire dancer "Southern Soul Party" suffers from brittle production and that programmed bass. In comparison George Jackson's "No One Should Be Lonely" & "I'm Hooked On These Blues" hit their target while the aforementioned "I Miss My Daddy" and the other slow jam, "If You Catch Me Sleepin", (an Earl Powell and FT co-write) are simply gorgeous. Floyd can phrase like all the greats and one day soon he's going to make a great CD. This one's just pretty good (and that's okay for now).