The James Taylor Quartet

The James Taylor Quartet

2931 fans

Swearing off rock and roll in favor of jazz after the 1986 dissolution of his band The Prisoners, organist James Taylor cobbled together three collaborators to form the James Taylor Quartet (JTQ). After they played a set for the influential British DJ John Peel, James Taylor decided to abandon his music career, but that recording led to interest from a label. This led to their 1987 breakthrough album, Mission Impossible, a collection of songs that dove head-first into the sounds of psychedelic swinging 1960s London with funk-laden covers of Herbie Hancock’s score for Blow Up, Paul Simon’s “Mrs. Robinson”, and the title TV theme by Lalo Schifrin. They explored this cultural past further with a notable cover of the theme to the TV show Starsky and Hutch, which was included on 1988’s Wait a Minute. After incorporating more modern dance music elements in their 1990 album Do Your Own Thing, JTQ scored a top 40 hit with “Love the Life”, from their 1993 album Supernatural Feeling. They went from riffing on famous theme songs to creating one when their track “Austin’s Theme” became the main theme in the Mike Myers film Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. Though the line-up of the quartet would regularly change over, the group would collaborate with numerous hitmakers like Tom Jones, The Pogues, and U2. During the first two decades of the 21st century, they released an impressive 14 albums, constantly exploring their hybrid of jazz and funk in both live and studio settings. In 2025, they released a new EP, Only Messin'.

Top tracks

12
Keep on Moving
The James Taylor Quartet
In the Hand of the Inevitable
05:34
Writer: Taylor - Willmott / Composers: James Taylor - David Taylor - John Willmott
03
Keep the Dream Alive
The James Taylor Quartet
Extended Play
05:58
Writer: Taylor - Willmott / Composers: Hanna, Barbera
08
Stepping Into My Life
The James Taylor Quartet
In the Hand of the Inevitable
04:36
Writer: Taylor - Willmott / Composers: Taylor - Willmott
05
The Template
The James Taylor Quartet
Nu-Jazz Beat
05:09
Writer: James Taylor / Composers: James Taylor
03
Free Your Mind
The James Taylor Quartet
In the Hand of the Inevitable
04:54
Writer: Taylor - Willmott / Composers: Taylor - Willmott
05
Whole Lotta Love
The James Taylor Quartet
Whole Lotta Live 1998
03:29
Writer: Jones - Plant - Page - Bonham / Composers: Jones - Plant - Page - Bonham
04
A Good Thing
The James Taylor Quartet
The Best of Acid Jazz Volume III
03:41
Writer: Taylor - Plavka / Composers: Taylor - Plavka
06
Theme From Starsky & Hutch (Funky People Mix)
The James Taylor Quartet
Wait A Minute
05:56
Composers: Tom Scott
10
Austin's Theme
The James Taylor Quartet
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (Original Soundtrack)
03:38
Writer: George S. Clinton / Composers: George S. Clinton
02
One Way Street
The James Taylor Quartet
The Moneyspyder
02:25
Writer: Brydon - Sewell / Composers: D.C. Taylor - J.P. Taylor
03
A Taste of Cherry
The James Taylor Quartet
A Taste of Cherry
06:25
Writer: J.Taylor / Composers: J.Taylor
01
Love Will Keep Us Together
The James Taylor Quartet
In the Hand of the Inevitable
06:08
Writer: James Taylor - Alison Limerick / Composers: James Taylor - Alison Limerick
12
People Get Ready
The James Taylor Quartet
The Craig Charles Trunk of Funk Vol. 1
04:39
Writer: James Taylor / Composers: James Taylor
03
Love Will Keep Us Together
The James Taylor Quartet
A1! The Best Of Acid Jazz
03:42
Writer: James Taylor - Alison Limerick / Composers: James Taylor - Alison Limerick
01
Creation
The James Taylor Quartet
Creation
04:16
Writer: Emperors New Clothes / Composers: J. Taylor
06
Gavotte (French Suite No. 5 in G Major)
The James Taylor Quartet
Shadows & Dreams
01:25
Composers: Johann Sebastian Bach
03
Indian Summer
The James Taylor Quartet
Wait A Minute
04:07
Composers: Pete Wingfield - James Taylor
07
Allegro (1st Movement from Sonata No. 16 in C Major, KV 545
The James Taylor Quartet
Shadows & Dreams
03:19
Composers: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
05
3 Mile Island
The James Taylor Quartet
The Acid Jazz Collection: Jazz
05:39
Writer: James Taylor - David Taylor - John Wilmott / Composers: James Taylor - David Taylor - John Willmott
05
Sonate Pathetique (2nd Movement from Sonata No. 8)
The James Taylor Quartet
Shadows & Dreams
04:20
Composers: Ludwig van Beethoven
01
Wait A Minute
The James Taylor Quartet
Wait A Minute
03:47
Composers: Pete Wingfield - James Taylor
02
Leichte Sonate (1st Movement from Sonata No. 20, Op. 49)
The James Taylor Quartet
Shadows & Dreams
05:11
Composers: Ludwig van Beethoven
11
Sounds of Freedom
The James Taylor Quartet
In the Hand of the Inevitable
05:14
Writer: Taylor - Crockett - Willmott / Composers: Taylor - Crockett - Willmott
01
Stepping Into My Life
The James Taylor Quartet
Extended Play
03:28
Writer: Taylor - Willmott / Composers: Taylor - Willmott
04
Solfeggio in C Minor, H.220
The James Taylor Quartet
Shadows & Dreams
01:05
Composers: Carl Philip Emanuel Bach

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  • Discography
Albums
Te Deum
2026 Acid Jazz Acquisitions Ltd.
29-05-2026
Te Deum
01
Have Mercy On Us
The James Taylor Quartet
Te Deum
04:44
Writer: Traditional / Composers: James Taylor
02
We Praise Thee Oh God
The James Taylor Quartet
Te Deum
04:14
Writer: Trad. / Composers: James Taylor
03
Save Thy People
The James Taylor Quartet
Te Deum
03:56
Writer: Trad. / Composers: James Taylor
04
The Comforter
The James Taylor Quartet
Te Deum
04:06
Writer: Trad. / Composers: James Taylor
05
Wildflower
The James Taylor Quartet
Te Deum
03:16
Writer: Trad. / Composers: James Taylor
06
Find A Way
The James Taylor Quartet
Te Deum
03:22
Writer: Trad. / Composers: James Taylor
07
Heaven And Earth
The James Taylor Quartet
Te Deum
04:50
Writer: Trad. / Composers: James Taylor
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
Shadows & Dreams
℗ 2026 Acid Jazz Acquisitions under exclusive license from JTI Records
27-02-2026
Shadows & Dreams
01
Polonaise in G Major, BWV 130
The James Taylor Quartet
Shadows & Dreams
02:40
Composers: Johann Adolph Hasse
02
Leichte Sonate (1st Movement from Sonata No. 20, Op. 49)
The James Taylor Quartet
Shadows & Dreams
05:11
Composers: Ludwig van Beethoven
03
Leichte Sonate (2nd Movement from Sonata No. 20, Op. 49)
The James Taylor Quartet
Shadows & Dreams
03:20
Composers: Ludwig van Beethoven
04
Solfeggio in C Minor, H.220
The James Taylor Quartet
Shadows & Dreams
01:05
Composers: Carl Philip Emanuel Bach
05
Sonate Pathetique (2nd Movement from Sonata No. 8)
The James Taylor Quartet
Shadows & Dreams
04:20
Composers: Ludwig van Beethoven
06
Gavotte (French Suite No. 5 in G Major)
The James Taylor Quartet
Shadows & Dreams
01:25
Composers: Johann Sebastian Bach
07
Allegro (1st Movement from Sonata No. 16 in C Major, KV 545
The James Taylor Quartet
Shadows & Dreams
03:19
Composers: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
Hung Up On You
℗ 2024 Real Self
25-10-2024
Hung Up On You
01
Hung up on You
The James Taylor Quartet
Hung Up On You
02:50
Composers: James Taylor
02
She Dreams in Crimson
The James Taylor Quartet
Hung Up On You
02:26
Composers: James Taylor
03
Chicken Leg
The James Taylor Quartet
Hung Up On You
04:32
Composers: James Taylor
04
Feet on the Ground
The James Taylor Quartet
Hung Up On You
02:48
Composers: James Taylor
05
Miss Your Life
The James Taylor Quartet
Hung Up On You
02:40
Composers: James Taylor
06
Perche Non Vai da Lui
The James Taylor Quartet
Hung Up On You
03:20
Composers: James Taylor
07
Put Your Hands Up
The James Taylor Quartet
Hung Up On You
02:50
Composers: James Taylor
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Quick Fire: The Audio Network Sessions (Live)
℗ 2017 Cherry Red Records
17-11-2017
Quick Fire: The Audio Network Sessions (Live)
01
Whiskey Attitude (Live)
The James Taylor Quartet
Quick Fire: The Audio Network Sessions (Live)
02:20
Composers: Yvonne Yanney
02
Rubbernecking (Live)
The James Taylor Quartet
Quick Fire: The Audio Network Sessions (Live)
02:24
Composers: Yvonne Yanney
03
Hot Gelato (Live)
The James Taylor Quartet
Quick Fire: The Audio Network Sessions (Live)
02:38
Composers: Yvonne Yanney
04
Quick Fire (Live)
The James Taylor Quartet
Quick Fire: The Audio Network Sessions (Live)
02:16
Composers: Yvonne Yanney
05
Fill It In (Live)
The James Taylor Quartet
Quick Fire: The Audio Network Sessions (Live)
02:10
Composers: Yvonne Yanney
06
Firebird (Live)
The James Taylor Quartet
Quick Fire: The Audio Network Sessions (Live)
03:06
Composers: Yvonne Yanney
07
Nail It (Live)
The James Taylor Quartet
Quick Fire: The Audio Network Sessions (Live)
04:02
Composers: Yvonne Yanney
Access the complete album info (18 songs)
Bootleg
Real Self Records
04-08-2017
Bootleg
01
Rochester Raining
The James Taylor Quartet
Bootleg
04:24
Composers: J. Taylor
02
Boot Up
The James Taylor Quartet
Bootleg
04:00
Composers: J.Taylor
03
Picking up Where We Left Off
The James Taylor Quartet
Bootleg
05:29
Composers: J Taylor
04
The Exorcism
The James Taylor Quartet
Bootleg
07:50
Composers: J Taylor
05
Showdown
The James Taylor Quartet
Bootleg
03:03
Composers: J.Taylor
06
Spencer Takes a Trip
The James Taylor Quartet
Bootleg
03:21
Composers: J Taylor
07
Closer to the Moon
The James Taylor Quartet
Bootleg
06:31
Composers: J Taylor
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
The Rochester Mass (feat. The Rochester Cathedral Choir)
℗ 2015 Cherry Red Records
27-11-2015
The Rochester Mass (feat. The Rochester Cathedral Choir)
01
Sanctus, Pt. 1 (feat. The Rochester Cathedral Choir)
The James Taylor Quartet
The Rochester Mass (feat. The Rochester Cathedral Choir)
03:29
Composers: Yvonne Yanney
02
Sanctus, Pt. 2 (feat. The Rochester Cathedral Choir)
The James Taylor Quartet
The Rochester Mass (feat. The Rochester Cathedral Choir)
05:41
Composers: Yvonne Yanney
03
Agnus Dei Duet (feat. The Rochester Cathedral Choir)
The James Taylor Quartet
The Rochester Mass (feat. The Rochester Cathedral Choir)
01:11
Composers: Yvonne Yanney
04
Agnus Dei, Pt. 1 (feat. The Rochester Cathedral Choir)
The James Taylor Quartet
The Rochester Mass (feat. The Rochester Cathedral Choir)
01:37
Composers: Yvonne Yanney
05
Flute Cadenza (feat. The Rochester Cathedral Choir)
The James Taylor Quartet
The Rochester Mass (feat. The Rochester Cathedral Choir)
00:53
Composers: Yvonne Yanney
06
Agnus Dei, Pt. 2 (feat. The Rochester Cathedral Choir)
The James Taylor Quartet
The Rochester Mass (feat. The Rochester Cathedral Choir)
04:26
Composers: Yvonne Yanney
07
Benedictus (feat. The Rochester Cathedral Choir)
The James Taylor Quartet
The Rochester Mass (feat. The Rochester Cathedral Choir)
02:23
Composers: Yvonne Yanney
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Closer to the Moon
2012 Real Self
06-05-2013
Closer to the Moon
01
Tick Tock
The James Taylor Quartet
Closer to the Moon
04:28
Writer: J Taylor / Composers: J Taylor
02
Closer to You
The James Taylor Quartet
Closer to the Moon
03:38
Writer: J Taylor / Composers: J Taylor
03
Parallelo
The James Taylor Quartet
Closer to the Moon
04:08
Writer: J Taylor / Composers: J Taylor
04
Fuzzburn
The James Taylor Quartet
Closer to the Moon
04:12
Writer: J Taylor / Composers: J Taylor
05
Nightwalk
The James Taylor Quartet
Closer to the Moon
03:59
Writer: J Taylor / Composers: J Taylor
06
Proctor Quod Et Deus
The James Taylor Quartet
Closer to the Moon
03:15
Writer: J Taylor / Composers: J Taylor
07
Spencer Takes a Trip
The James Taylor Quartet
Closer to the Moon
03:21
Writer: J Taylor / Composers: J Taylor
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
New World
2009 Real Self
24-01-2011
New World
01
blacksmith
The James Taylor Quartet
New World
03:52
Writer: J. Taylor / Composers: J. Taylor
02
rochester raining
The James Taylor Quartet
New World
04:24
Writer: J. Taylor / Composers: J. Taylor
03
same old fool
The James Taylor Quartet
New World
04:45
Writer: J. Taylor - C Greyson / Composers: J. Taylor - C Greyson
04
new world
The James Taylor Quartet
New World
04:24
Writer: J. Taylor / Composers: J. Taylor
05
inner mystic love
The James Taylor Quartet
New World
03:58
Writer: J. Taylor / Composers: J. Taylor
06
stonemason
The James Taylor Quartet
New World
03:20
Writer: J. Taylor / Composers: J. Taylor
07
get on your feet
The James Taylor Quartet
New World
03:27
Writer: J. Taylor - C. Greyson / Composers: J. Taylor - C. Greyson
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Live At The Jazz Cafe
2008 Real Self Records
28-04-2008
Live At The Jazz Cafe
01
Picking Up Where We Left Off
The James Taylor Quartet
Live At The Jazz Cafe
05:29
Writer: J Taylor / Composers: J Taylor
02
No Way
The James Taylor Quartet
Live At The Jazz Cafe
05:21
Writer: Ivan Joseph Jones / Composers: Ivan Joseph Jones
03
Easy Time
The James Taylor Quartet
Live At The Jazz Cafe
04:00
Writer: J Taylor / Composers: J Taylor
04
Joe's Diversions
The James Taylor Quartet
Live At The Jazz Cafe
04:34
Writer: J Taylor / Composers: J Taylor
05
The Exorcism
The James Taylor Quartet
Live At The Jazz Cafe
07:50
Writer: J Taylor / Composers: J Taylor
06
Tore My Heart Out
The James Taylor Quartet
Live At The Jazz Cafe
04:26
Writer: Yanney - Taylor / Composers: Yanney - Taylor
07
Never In My Wildes Dreams
The James Taylor Quartet
Live At The Jazz Cafe
05:29
Writer: J Taylor / Composers: J Taylor
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
A Taste of Cherry
2006 Real Self Records
25-09-2006
A Taste of Cherry
01
Joe's Diversions
The James Taylor Quartet
A Taste of Cherry
06:00
Writer: J.Taylor / Composers: J.Taylor
02
Opening Our Eyes
The James Taylor Quartet
A Taste of Cherry
03:44
Writer: J.Taylor / Composers: J.Taylor
03
A Taste of Cherry
The James Taylor Quartet
A Taste of Cherry
06:25
Writer: J.Taylor / Composers: J.Taylor
04
Kick It
The James Taylor Quartet
A Taste of Cherry
04:36
Writer: J.Taylor / Composers: J.Taylor
05
Your Kind of Loving
The James Taylor Quartet
A Taste of Cherry
04:19
Writer: J.Taylor / Composers: J.Taylor
06
Dreaming of You
The James Taylor Quartet
A Taste of Cherry
04:45
Writer: J.Taylor / Composers: J.Taylor
07
Summer Song
The James Taylor Quartet
A Taste of Cherry
03:53
Writer: J.Taylor / Composers: J.Taylor
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
The Oscillator
2000 Real Self Records
28-04-2003
The Oscillator
01
Jesus Christ Superstar
The James Taylor Quartet
The Oscillator
05:34
Writer: Lloyd Webber - Rice / Composers: Lloyd Webber - Rice
02
Evil Thoughts
The James Taylor Quartet
The Oscillator
03:16
Writer: J.Taylor / Composers: J.Taylor
03
Man From The Moon
The James Taylor Quartet
The Oscillator
04:55
Writer: J.Taylor / Composers: J.Taylor
04
Bossaoscillator
The James Taylor Quartet
The Oscillator
10:25
Writer: J.Taylor / Composers: J.Taylor
05
The Obsession
The James Taylor Quartet
The Oscillator
04:45
Writer: J.Taylor / Composers: J.Taylor
06
The Exorcism
The James Taylor Quartet
The Oscillator
07:49
Writer: J.Taylor / Composers: J.Taylor
07
Jim's Semolina
The James Taylor Quartet
The Oscillator
03:49
Writer: J.Taylor / Composers: J.Taylor
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
Penthouse Suit
℗ 1999 Acid Jazz Records
01-01-1999
Penthouse Suit
01
Blow Up (Live)
The James Taylor Quartet
Penthouse Suit
04:56
Composers: Hancock
02
Starting Too Slow (Live)
The James Taylor Quartet
Penthouse Suit
05:38
Composers: James Taylor
03
Love the Life (Live)
The James Taylor Quartet
Penthouse Suit
04:57
Writer: James Taylor - Noel McKoy / Composers: James Taylor - Noel McKoy
04
It's Your World
The James Taylor Quartet
Penthouse Suit
03:48
Writer: Emperors New Clothes / Composers: Gil Scott-Heron
05
Green Onions (Live)
The James Taylor Quartet
Penthouse Suit
03:18
Writer: James Taylor - Noel McKoy / Composers: Jackson - Jones - Cropper - Steinberg
06
Black Gun (Live)
The James Taylor Quartet
Penthouse Suit
05:08
Writer: James Taylor - Noel McKoy / Composers: Earland
07
Fourth Dimension (Live)
The James Taylor Quartet
Penthouse Suit
03:27
Writer: James Taylor - Noel McKoy / Composers: James Taylor
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
Whole Lotta Live 1998
1998 Real Self Records
01-01-1998
Whole Lotta Live 1998
01
Intro
The James Taylor Quartet
Whole Lotta Live 1998
01:22
Writer: Taylor / Composers: Taylor
02
Green Onions
The James Taylor Quartet
Whole Lotta Live 1998
03:21
Writer: Jones - Cropper - Dunn - Jackson / Composers: Jones - Cropper - Dunn - Jackson
03
Creation
The James Taylor Quartet
Whole Lotta Live 1998
05:15
Writer: Taylor / Composers: Taylor
04
Europa
The James Taylor Quartet
Whole Lotta Live 1998
05:43
Writer: Taylor - Crockett / Composers: Taylor - Crockett
05
Whole Lotta Love
The James Taylor Quartet
Whole Lotta Live 1998
03:29
Writer: Jones - Plant - Page - Bonham / Composers: Jones - Plant - Page - Bonham
06
2001 Theme (Also Sprach Zarathrustra)
The James Taylor Quartet
Whole Lotta Live 1998
06:46
Writer: Strauss / Composers: Strauss
07
Blow Up
The James Taylor Quartet
Whole Lotta Live 1998
05:10
Writer: Hancock / Composers: Hancock
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
A Few Useful Tips About Living Underground
℗ 1996 Acid Jazz Records
01-01-1996
A Few Useful Tips About Living Underground
01
Selectivity
The James Taylor Quartet
A Few Useful Tips About Living Underground
02:55
Writer: Emperors New Clothes / Composers: J. Taylor
02
Creation
The James Taylor Quartet
A Few Useful Tips About Living Underground
04:16
Writer: Emperors New Clothes / Composers: J. Taylor
03
Staying Active
The James Taylor Quartet
A Few Useful Tips About Living Underground
04:47
Writer: Emperors New Clothes / Composers: J. Taylor - D. Taylor
04
It's Your World
The James Taylor Quartet
A Few Useful Tips About Living Underground
03:48
Writer: Emperors New Clothes / Composers: Gil Scott-Heron
05
Theme from Dirty Harry
The James Taylor Quartet
A Few Useful Tips About Living Underground
04:34
Writer: Emperors New Clothes / Composers: Lalo Schiffrin
06
Summer Fantasy
The James Taylor Quartet
A Few Useful Tips About Living Underground
04:26
Writer: Emperors New Clothes / Composers: J. Taylor - D. Taylor
07
Don't Let Money Be Your God
The James Taylor Quartet
A Few Useful Tips About Living Underground
05:23
Writer: Emperors New Clothes / Composers: J. Taylor - D. Taylor
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
In the Hand of the Inevitable
℗ 1995 Acid Jazz Records
01-01-1995
In the Hand of the Inevitable
01
Love Will Keep Us Together
The James Taylor Quartet
In the Hand of the Inevitable
06:08
Writer: James Taylor - Alison Limerick / Composers: James Taylor - Alison Limerick
02
3 Mile Island
The James Taylor Quartet
In the Hand of the Inevitable
05:39
Writer: James Taylor - David Taylor - John Wilmott / Composers: James Taylor - David Taylor - John Willmott
03
Free Your Mind
The James Taylor Quartet
In the Hand of the Inevitable
04:54
Writer: Taylor - Willmott / Composers: Taylor - Willmott
04
Haitian Breakdown
The James Taylor Quartet
In the Hand of the Inevitable
04:00
Writer: Taylor / Composers: James Taylor
05
A Good Thing
The James Taylor Quartet
In the Hand of the Inevitable
03:39
Writer: Taylor - Plavka / Composers: Taylor - Plavka
06
Let's Get Together
The James Taylor Quartet
In the Hand of the Inevitable
04:28
Writer: Taylor - Willmott / Composers: James Taylor - David Taylor - John Willmott
07
Segue No.1
The James Taylor Quartet
In the Hand of the Inevitable
00:57
Writer: Taylor / Composers: James Taylor
Access the complete album info (13 songs)