Amazon.co.uk Review
Unconditional is the second album from Dennis Taylor. It has to be said, this Dennis Taylor definitely has a lot more in common with 1980s American soul stars
Luther Vandross and
Alexander O'Neill, than the professional snooker player of the same name and era. Following the critical success of his debut, Dennis has teamed up again with producer/writers Fred McFarlane and Darryl James for another album of what could be termed mid-80s "heritage soul". The tracks are all pleasantly sleek, polished and short, mimicking the hippest tunes performed by the 80s' slickest crooners. Comparisons with these soul legends are further validated as one of Vandross's collaborators Brook Richardson, contributes the medium-tempo "It's Over" to the album. The soul-queen sound also gets a few nods too, with that track sounding very Joyce Sims, and the backing arrangement of "Do What You Feel" reminiscent of
Amy Grant's "Baby, Baby". As a purely positive comment, Taylor's smooth cover of
Dionne Warwick's "I'll Never Love This Way Again" is probably what a collaboration between Boris Gardner and
Curtis Stigers would have sounded like. The future of British soul, or just a fleeting visit of a good spirit from its golden past--who can say? --
John Galilee