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Musician/Producer Doc City releases “Welcome to Doc City (Deluxe Edition)” with a little help from his friends

By Kath Galasso on January 11, 2023

Award-winning Musician and Producer Doc City takes the listener on an eclectic, untethered journey through the universal mind with the help of his many talented friends on new album “Welcome to Doc City (Deluxe Edition)”, due January 27, 2023. Musically extracting equal influence from R&B, Pop and Jazz sounds, the lyricism ranges from social issues to deeply human themes of love and loss, with ample dashes of philosophy and abstract thought intended to unravel the mind and reveal something truly fresh. Given Doc City‘s unique history, the spiritually charged energy in his music makes sense.

Doc City is the musical alias of Clarence Taylor, MD. The son of a Baptist minister, gospel music, spirituals and the soul therein provide an essential part of Clarence’s musical foundation. His years of experience as a medical doctor allows him an intimate view into the depths of humanity. In 1998, Clarence received an Achievement Award for Outstanding Song Composition in the International John Lennon Songwriters Competition. In 2002, Doc City was nominated as the Best R&B/Soul Band in the Cleveland Free Times Music Awards.

The collection of compositions featured on “Welcome to Doc City (Deluxe Edition)” leans heavily towards the immersive and profound, musing on the most important questions of life. Uplifting, dense and thought-provoking, this is undoubtedly music for soul-searching and contemplation.

The 12-song album includes: “Sweetest Taboo”, a cover of Sade’s classic weaving through jazz, gospel, rock and rap influences. “What Love Is”, the refrain of unconditional love. The soulful “No Goodbyes”, written after the loss of his best friend. “I’ll Still be There for You”, the spiritual-based composition of faith and commitment. The retrospection of “Heart Just Won’t Give Up” and the beautiful love ballad, “When You Are Near”. He then pivots to address social/political issues on “Did You Choose?”, dealing with the insanity of prejudice, bias, hate and bullying. The funky upbeat gospel-like “Your Ego Too”, addressing narcissism and the twisted delusional perspective of one’s over-importance of self.

Reviewer Charles Lull writes on BCTV.org“The enchanting feel can only be expressed through the music itself. It’s refreshing to hear something so pure of heart and passionate about the music behind it.”

After many years away from music, Doc City releases this evocative, eclectic album. Doc City on keyboards and vocals is accompanied by a stellar cast of musicians, including 4 Grammy Award-winning artists.

Featured Artists include:
Sean Jones -trumpet (Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Nancy Wilson, Diane Reeves)
Lafayette Carthon -piano (Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, The Winans)
Steve Cox -piano, Moog (Dazz Band, Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, Allison Krauss)
Steve Mackey -bass (Peter Frampton, India Irie, Keb Mo, Dolly Parton)
Kenney Anderson -sax (Gloria Estavan and Miami Sound Machine, Bobby Caldwell)
Jamey Haddad -percussion (Paul Simon, Carley Simon, Steve Gadd, YoYo Ma)

Websites:
Official Website: DocCityMusic.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com.clarence.taylor.737
Instagram: cavsgersh
Spotify:Doc City

Artist Biography:
Collaborating with an extraordinary cast of musicians, including 4 Grammy award-winning musicians, Doc City presents his long-awaited new song projects. This eclectic project includes musicians from multiple genres including R&B, Jazz, Country, Gospel and Hip Hop. Doc City is honored to be joined by such highly esteemed musicians on his live album who have collectively played with Herbie Hancock, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks, Gloria Estefan, Trisha Yearwood, The Winans, Paul Simon, Peter Frampton, The Dazz Band, Dolly Parton, Anita Baker, Parliament Funkadelic, Alison Krauss, Yo Yo Ma and Nancy Wilson. From melodic ballads to soulful grooves, aligned with provocative lyrics addressing social issues of the times, love, loss and hope; this album takes the listener through an enjoyable, mesmerizing and unique journey.

The Medicine:
Clarence Taylor, MD FACP has practiced medicine over twenty years after completing his residency at Tulane University Medical Center. He has had dual board certifications in both Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine. Dr. Taylor has reached what most would consider the pinnacle in medicine, practicing at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation, ranked in 2021 by Newsweek magazine as the second-best medical institution in the world, only second to the Mayo Clinic. He has received numerous recognitions and awards and has active medical licenses in CA, OH and WA state. Dr. Taylor is a Diplomat Fellow of the American College of Physicians, one of the highest honors in medicine.

The Music:
Always one of his greatest passions, Clarence started playing music in clubs and venues at age 15 as bassist for several Washington, DC and Virginia area R&B, Funk, Jazz and Pop bands. The son of a Baptist minister, gospel music, spirituals and the soul therein provide an essential part of his musical foundation. In 1997 Capitol Records/ Blue Note Jazz recording artist, Pieces of a Dream, recorded a song he co-wrote on their album “Pieces”. Produced by George Duke and Jeff Lober, this album stayed on the Billboard Top 10 Contemporary Jazz charts for several months. In 1998 Clarence 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 March 2001, Doc City and his band was the first runner-up, 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”.