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

Calvin Richardson - When Love Comes - 2008 - Shanachie

Calvin Richardson has that certain something. When I bought his “Country Boy” album back in the Summer of 1999 I knew full well that what we had here was talent. His appropriate cover of Bobby Womack's “I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much” was superb and, to me, set his stall out for where he was coming from, and what he was about. His gritty, down home approach, and wrenching, fist-clenching rips and roars punch through the flimsy veneer of today's R&B and when he delves into more urban territory, as he does here, he marks his territory and claws back the idiom from the street back to the delta and the pit of the soul. Although tracks such as “Sexy Love” may be a bit rougher than we may have come to expect, cuts such as “Holla At You” with its rumbling bassline, summery guitar and street nods are more comfy for the connoisseurs out there. The different and rootsier “Fire In The Attic” really harks back to his solo set. The soul man speaks, he lays it down and the acoustic backing allows Calvin to really lay down his more soulful chops. Superb. Again we have this with “She's Hurtin'” which is bassy with some electric guitar adding extra grittiness. The phrasing here is almost up there with the likes of K-Ci Hailey – a contemporary and an artist sympathetic to Calvin's style and sensibility.

One of my favourites is the excellent “Nobody Loves You” which is an ode to summertime loving and it is a warm and inviting song that Calvin carries with much success let alone dignity. Classy. For traditionalists who love a more southern flavour I really would like to recommend “Sang No More” which has a classic melody and guitar riff that the likes of Johnnie Taylor or Marvin Sease would be proud of. Another I think will suit this taste is “Make Friends With Love”; I love the title and sentiment to this, and the roostier side of the Man is laid bare – the sermon begins and Calvin testifies his truth on Love. Amen, brother! The lovely “Daddy To My Kids” is touching and heartfelt yet NOT schmalzy or sugary. In fact it's dealing with hard reality and speaks of a man dealing with adversity and laying down the law and putting his children first, second and third. This is the song and soul of a TRUE man and I know many like myself can connect and feel this. Calvin's originality bears out with the optimistic “When Love Comes” and discusses commitment and attachment in a deep emotional sense. Excellent stuff here. The package may be a bit roughter and more urban than you may expect BUT stop, listen up and listen good. The essence here is NOT street, it is pure soul and traditional at that. A real good effort and one that has depth and volume. Check it out.

Barry Towler