MARIA TAYLOR (AZURE RAY) has, w/ a distinctly raw sound in mind, self-produced her latest album. She sought to capture the sound of her native Alabama & its music scene, enlisting a host of local musicians to flesh out the album & lend their personalitites to the songs. Many songs were tracked live & some feature Taylor's own bedroom demos in the finals mixes. They vary in sound from alluringly bold & immediate, to softer contemplation. Taylor's voice remains illuminating throughout, drawing listener in w/ its warmth & grace