James Taylor - Taylor Back In Studio

Singer/songwriter JAMES TAYLOR has returned to the studio to work on his first album since 2002's OCTOBER ROAD, and hopes to have it completed by next month (MAR06).

The album will mark his final release for longtime label Columbia but the singer hasn't decided who he will sign with next.

Taylor says, "I've got four or five things started and near completion. Maybe I'll have something ready by March, but I wouldn't want to promise it."

The YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND singer is also hitting the road next month for his ONE MAN BAND tour - marking a departure from his traditional full-band gigs.

He adds, "It's been a number of years since I worked solo. That's all I used to do, and that's how I started out. So it's nice to get back to that every once in awhile."

Taylor will be honoured in Los Angeles 6 February (06) for his musical and philanthropic contributions as the 2006 Musicare Person of the Year.

Among the artists saluting him will be BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, JACKSON BROWNE, PAUL SIMON, DIXIE CHICKS and ALISON KRAUSS.