8

6.0

UK release date 12.07.2007

Dear old Phil Perry’s a long time B&S fave and all his recordings guarantee a quality soul listen.

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 Davis. Last year, Phil’s first Shanachie collection, ‘Classics’ was well-received and this new 10 tracker maintains the quality. In fairness don’t come to the 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’ – both very respectful, as is my favourite cut – a delightful version of the neglected Dionne Warwick song ‘Déjà Vu’ - some great Davis piano on that by the way. On the downside I could have done without Christopher Cross’s ‘Ride Like The Wind’ and a banal Davis original ‘Honor’ which comes on like an Earl Klugh outtake. What holds it all together though, is Perry’s wonderful emotive soul voice – truly a beautiful instrument.
Words Bill Buckley