(March 28, 2025) During her childhood days, Taylor Gordon persuaded her family to purchase a toy drum set. From that point, the New Orleans native remained serious about elevating those percussive skills in church on a traditional drum kit. And for Gordon, AKA The Pocket Queen, her career pursuit turned into a coast-to-coast affair – graduating from the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston, then moving to Los Angeles where she became a sought-after drummer working alongside Robert Glasper, Tye Tribbett, and others. Though the ride was uneven at times as a producer for a major label subsidiary, all those hilly moments fueled T.P.Q. towards her state of production independence while flexing her bouquet of beats and grooves. Her RoyalT Entertainment mogul discography includes two E.P.’s: Groove Theory, Vol. 1 and the upcoming, Introducing The Pocket Queen and The Pocket Flush (her current backing band).
For T.P.Q.’s introduction to the SoulTracks pages, our latest First Listen presents an antidote in striving to fulfill inner joy entitled “Hope and Love.” Co-written by T.P.Q., this mid-tempo motivational track seeks answers through teamwork during life’s uncertainty:
“Tell me where the love has gone
Where’s the compassion and reciprocity
Even though we may seem strong
We can’t do this all alone.”
Fellow New Orleans native P.J. Morton’s steady soulful tones take the vocal baton from T.P.Q. on the second verse. A mellow but majestic string arrangement by Maurice Herd establishes a proper mood that secures the theme behind “Hope and Love.”
Besides managing the soft percussive grooves, T.P.Q. multitasks on several instruments with assistance from bass guitarist Chris Thigpen, additional guitar by Charlie Bereal, keyboardist Nikko Ielasi and background voices by Monique Ella Rose. A brief prayer thanking God for His power and strength to overcome circumstances tops off this encouraging track. Check “Hope and Love” out.
By Peggy Oliver
