"James Taylor" is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor, released on December 6, 1968. It was the first album by a non-British artist to be released by Apple Records and was titled First Album in the South African market. Produced by Peter Asher, who oversaw A&R for Apple, the album was recorded at Trident Studios in London while the Beatles were working on their White Album.
The album features notable tracks like "Something in the Way She Moves," "Carolina in My Mind," and "Rainy Day Man." Paul McCartney and an uncredited George Harrison contributed to "Carolina in My Mind," with McCartney playing bass and Harrison providing backing vocals. The lyrics of "Something in the Way She Moves" inspired Harrison's later song "Something." Although Taylor recorded an early version of "Fire and Rain," it was not included on this album. The orchestration and linking passages added to some songs received mixed reviews.
