"Instrumental guitar records to most are a thing of the past as the genre is no longer center stage as it once was. In the 80’s and early 90’s it seems they were everywhere and labels like Shrapnel were dishing them out by the truckload. Then the mid 90s came along and other forms of music gave it all but an early grave. Very few artists remain from that era and only the “names” remain. Now we have as good of a replacement as any to take this genre back to a higher place. Taz Taylor has released upon us a great instrumental record that has skill, emotion and finesse. It has been a long time since I have heard a truly original sounding instrumental record because after so long with most artists pigeonholed in a genre, the music gets stale and repetitive. The skill and song writing that Taz displays on this CD breaks away from all of that and goes further. The tracks recorded here range from fierce with the title track to baring the emotional bone with George’s Song all the while playing some of the best guitar I have heard in ages in this genre. What I like best here is that many of the tunes are written to support lyrics and at the same time be instrumental gems. Sometimes they are written one way or the other but here it is different. This also is bordering on a metal discs with some heavy, edgy riffs helping the disc to travel at a fierce clip. I also commend him for implementing keys to support the music, to fill in and not take over as sometimes happens. I commend Taz for taking this genre back to where it should be, making great instrumental guitar discs that can be enjoyed from one end to the other. If you are into amazing guitar work that is uplifting all the way through, may I suggest this disc for your listening amazement. Visit his website at www.taztaylor.com for more info and to get the cd. "
10/10

Jeffrey Easton for Metal Exiles

"TAZ TAYLOR is a Californian guitar hero who knows how to play the guitar. The 12 titles of "Caffeine Racer" are pretty cool to hear, reminding me of FAST EDDIE CLARKE's solo project a bit, that is hard rock full of melodies, but without any singer here. Maybe not as technical as a SATRIANI or a VAI, TAYLOR's game is absolutely skilled and very melodic. What's cool is the fact that he stands in a more melodic hard rock playground than the other instrumental guitar hearoes. It's full of feelings and the 35 minutes of the album are too short to me... even if I'm still thinking that some rock'n'roll singer could bring even more deepness to the whole stuff... A very pleasing record, that's sure! So good that I'm gonna listen to it again as soon as... now!"

Heavy Metal Universe review by Séb

The era of the guitar hero is coming back to rock & roll and this critic says that it's about damn time! From Children of Bodom's Alexi Laiho to 45-year old Steve Vai, technical virtuosity and deep-cutting riffs have become the rule of thumb in today's new rock aesthetic. With the reintroduction of good old-fashioned six-string wizardry into rock music's vocabulary, it's a great time for the emergence of Taz Taylor as the newest member of the guitar god fraternity. With the release of his self-produced Caffeine Racer, Taylor introduces himself to the world and delivers a red-hot and smoking debut disc at the same time.

As the story goes, the UK-born Taylor was entranced by the music he heard as a young man, Rainbow's Ritchie Blackmore and UFO's Michael Schenker inspiring him to pick up the guitar.After playing in a number of local British bands, Taylor became disillusioned by the biz and bought a one-way ticket to California. He landed a job driving an eighteen-wheeler, and continued to hone his playing in the berth of his cab while on long haul deliveries (no doubt the inspiration for the album title). Heavily influenced by guitar technicians like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani as well as the melodic, guitar-heavy metal he grew up on, Taylor has nevertheless developed a style all his own.

Although some critics have likened Taylor's style, as displayed by Caffeine Racer, to that of his obvious influences, these ears hear a tone and clarity that remind me of Thin Lizzy's twin monsters of guitar, Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson, especially with the trembling opening chords of "Major Minority." Taylor also provides bass and keyboards alongside his dense, overdubbed guitars while drummer Calvin Lakin creates some damn fine noise in his own right.

Over the course of these dozen instrumentals, Taylor displays mighty impressive chops. The material ranges from the jazz-inflected, Satriani-influenced noodling of "Loose And Unscrewed" and the spacey vibe of "Pot Of Gold" to the melodic metal grandeur of "Through The Turns" and the bone-breaking fretwork runs of "Lightning Strikes." Throughout it all, Taylor forges a style distinctly his own, incorporating his influences while taking the music he loves to new heights. If you enjoy instrumental proficiency and wildly imaginative flights of fancy in your rock & roll, look no further than Caffeine Racer -- Taz Taylor might be the guitar hero for you. Expect to hear more from this gifted player in the future.

Review by REV. KEITH A. GORDON, ©2005