Taylor-Made
by Jewly Hight
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Lately, Ben Taylor—the genetically blessed offspring of James Taylor and Carly Simon—has taken to calling his music “kung folk.” But any sober mind consulting the “What is Kung Folk?” section on his website will only come away confused by the weird stew of poetic imagery. So let us clarify by highlighting the final two adjectives in his description: “peaceful” and “sexy.” Taylor’s new solo album—The Legend of Kung Folk, Pt. 1: The Killing Bite—shares a little in common with Jack Johnson, Me’Shell Ndegeocello and Jamiroquai (an odd-sounding combo to be sure, but it works). There’s sun-dazed folk crooning (“It’s Only Love”), slinking hip-hop-soul (“Dangerous Girl”) and spacey synth-bass syncopation (“Wilderness”). Also, Taylor’s apparently accomplished at martial arts. Hence the “kung.”
Sun., Dec. 7, 8 p.m., 2008
Sun., Dec. 7, 8 p.m., 2008
