Melba Moore and Phil Perry - The Gift Of Love - 2009 - Shanachie

Before I say anything at all about this CD, doesn't Melba Moore look simply delicious?! What a gorgeous Lady and hearing her back strong as ever in 2009 is something truly magnificent to behold. A strong vocalist, Shanachie's pairing of Melba Moore with Phil Perry has been a real masterstroke. The label is Shanachie...so, basically, no surprises to find yet another dearth of well-trodden cover versions - which would usually issue forth a yawn from this scribe's cavernous cake hole, BUT this mighty pairing do add some real magic to these tunes, many of which have been seriously rejigged and reworked. Of note are some tasty NEW, ORIGINAL tunes written by an old friend of ours, Dwayne Palmer of Stars On Broadway fame. It's these that I'll zero in on later. First up, though, is a very tasty interpretation of The Sounds Of Blackness' "Optimistic". The original version of this song is untouchable BUT the emphasis here is totally different...very Y2K, very quality driven and funky as you like. A real winner, and quite different from the original version.

Tammi and Marvin's "You're All I Need To Get By" is totally given respect and is again, a different beast, heavy on a rumbling bassline and acoustic guitar. These guys sound amazing on here - oh for a duets album of NEW material...what a tasty idea! The Spinners' "Sadie" is also great and different enough to make the set more interesting than much of the label's output. Onto the new material...You will really love "We'll Be Together Then", the classic late 80s Quiet Storm Production sound raises it's head and complete with the sound of water dripping, and spine-tingling musical and vocal arrangements renders this CD absolutely essential. This song is truly Melba's shining moment. Melba really belts out her vocals as only she can, and Phil Perry - more subdued - gently adds his vocal support...the result is sheer spine tingling. The harmonies are haunting and one can only imagine a CD of completely new songs of this caliber. What a joy this would be to behold. Fans of keyboardist Chris "Big Dog" Davis will undoubtedly appreciate the jazzy "The Gift Of Love" - a perfect vehicle for Phil Perry's amazing voice. A gentle track that is not dissimilar from the less raucous output by the Sounds Of Blackness, this is sure to please. Great harmonies, too. Highly recommended quality real soul for 2009.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

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Phil Perry - Ready For Love - 2008 - Shanachie

This is the most substantial and consistent album that Phil Perry has ever recorded. Phil Perry, for me, is a member of a very exclusive club – where the membership criteria is so stringent and strict. Phil is one of THE most instantly recognisable voices in music, and his uniqueness, quality-led instincts and commitment to artistry in its purest form has earned him a place there. This, his third album for Shanachie Records is easily one of his best, and easily the best that he has recorded on that imprint. “Ready For Love” is an album that I was immediately hopping up and down about. Every track is a winner and not only are the vocals exquisitely laid down as expected, but the musical accompaniment is spot-on. The instrumentation is real, the musicians at the top of their game, and the mood is hushed, warm and extremely comfortable. Phil and the gang wrap you in their warm musical blanket and I cannot applaud all concerned enough for this set.

I won't go on about every track, but will say that the quality will stand up for itself. You are going to be hit with the impact of “Desire” and will be sold within moments. Follow that up with the KILLER “Ready For Love” and you should be gasping for breath! This is SUPERB! Soulful, deep and with a hint of jazz. Fans of Will Downing will musically appreciate “Shine On Me”, the piano is very much in the style of Ronnie Foster, and the chugging rhythm whisks us back to the heady days of summers past. “Another Place Another Time” is gorgeous – just listen to it. This would not be out of place on his classy GRP albums. Neither would “The Shelter Of Your Heart” to be honest. I really love “Why Why Why” with its funky 70s Fantasy flavour with summery vibes, flute and sax. The female vocal on here is also excellent. Great work, yet again. The sheer lushness of “Melody Of Love” is pure class. Real instruments, strings, the lot AND Phil Perry giving us his perfect vocal performance. This talent is undiminished, and like a fine wine, matures better as the years go by. The final cut, “The Strings Of Love”, with its goose-bump making vocal harmonies and sax brings this amazing album to an all-too-early close and we can truly appreciate the depth and power of this man's ability. All parties concerned with this album need to take a standing ovation. A soulful jazz masterpiece for 2008.

Barry Towler

Phil Perry - A Mighty Love - Shanachie

I don’t know many modern soul fans who don’t dig Phil Perry. With a soul pedigree that goes back to the Montclairs, his solo sets are eagerly devoured by anyone with an ear for a truly unique soul voice. Latterly, Perry’s’ found a home with smooth-jazz label Shanachie, who now seem to specialize in allowing soul stars loose on their choice of cover versions under the supervision of producer Chris “Big Dog” Davis. Last year, Phil’s first Shanachie collection, ‘Classics’ was well-received by the modern soul crowd and this new 10 tracker maintains the quality. Like ‘Classics’, don’t come to this set expecting anything radical or mould-breaking. That’s not the game Shanachie are in. They know their market and that’s reflected in the song’s Phil’s chosen. By and large they’re classic pop-soul songs that will bring plenty of pleasant memories to forty somethings everywhere. Amongst the goodies are takes on Smokey’s ‘Just To See Her’ and the Spinners’ ‘Mighty Love’ on which Phil’s scatting almost out does Phillipe Wynne. My favourite cut on the set is a delightful version of the neglected Dionne Warwick song Déjà Vu’. The Isaac Hayes melody is a beauty and so well suited to Perry’ voice while there’s some great Davis piano too. On the downside I could have done without Christopher Cross’ ‘Ride Like The Wind’ ( a bit too AOR) and a Davis original’ Honor’ which comes on like an Earl Klugh vocal-guitar outtake. What holds the LP together though, is Perry’s wonderful emotive soul voice. It’s a thing of beauty and even on the fairly ordinary material it sparkles.

Bill Buckley

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