Phil Perry - Say Yes '2013

Tracks list

Tracklist:

[4:23] 01. Phil Perry - You Send Me
[3:38] 02. Phil Perry - Where Is The Love?
[3:39] 03. Phil Perry - Tonight Just Me And You
[4:04] 04. Phil Perry - You Belong To Me
[4:06] 05. Phil Perry - Say Yes
[4:06] 06. Phil Perry - Just A Little Bit
[3:20] 07. Phil Perry - The Long And Winding Road
[4:46] 08. Phil Perry - Peel The Veil
[4:00] 09. Phil Perry - Cant Hide Love
[4:23] 10. Phil Perry - Bridge Over Troubled Water

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ABOUT THE ALBUM
1 disc(s) - 10 track(s)
Total length: 00:40:21
Main artist: Phil Perry
Composer: Various Composers
Label: Shanachie
Genre: Jazz
Digital booklet
(c) 2013 Shanachie Ent. Corp.

Vocalist Phil Perry has been underappreciated since leaving the Montclairs. His
fine recordings with Kevin Sanlin were criminally ignored in the 1980s, and
while hes occasionally scored on Billboards R&B and contemporary jazz charts,
hes better known as a session vocalist than as a soloist. Say Yes, issued by
Shanachie, finds Perry in somewhat familiar territory. Once more working with
producer Chip Big Dog Davis, he puts his indelible signature on some vintage
tunes rounded out by originals. The set opener is a cover of Sam Cookes immortal
You Send Me. He introduces it with a reverent take on Cookes version adorned by
jazz piano and strings, but transitions to a shimmering Rhodes, a lone cello,
wah-wah guitar, and loops while retaining the phrasing. Its a beautiful update.
For a reading of Where Is the Love with Chante Moore, the pairs voices blend
well, recalling the vintage classiness of Roberta Flacks and Donny Hathaways
hit, though the production is geared to adult contemporary R&B and contemporary
jazz audiences. It features a nice flute solo by Najee. Tonight Is Just Me and
You is an original, with Dawn Tallmans backing vocals underscoring Perrys
crystalline, sensual delivery highlighted by Najee on soprano sax. There are
fine readings of Michael McDonalds and Carly Simons You Belong to Me, with
Donnell Smallwood on backing vocals and a radical, yet moving take on Lennons
and McCartneys The Long and Winding Road, that turns the nugget into a prime
contemporary jazz vehicle. The title track, another original, is a slow bubbling
babymaker, while Peel the Veil, with its hint of a Middle Eastern melody, is
tucked inside a beautifully crafted jazz ballad. The set closer is a modern
gospel version of Paul Simons Bridge Over Troubled Water, which is anything but
solemn. Davis arrangement is lively yet dignified. Perry revels deep in his
gospel roots, infusing them with bluesy retro-soul as a backing chorus lifts him
and the tune into the stratosphere. While Say Yes is quite polished, the
production never gets in the way of Perrys voice. The choice of material is well
considered; its tailored to his elastic, signature phrasing and clean yet
expressive emotional delivery.
© Thom Jurek /TiVo


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