Shanachie Records is one
smooth jazz-oriented label that smartly realizes that classic
soul and
urban music is an important complement to the
R&B-influenced instrumental music that makes up the genre. In recent years, they've released some successful cover albums of modern
soul songs, and earlier in 2006, released
Sweet Classic Soul by
Maysa. Nobody knows about the crossroads of
smooth jazz and old-school
soul better than
Perry, the master of falsetto romance whose resume as a featured or background vocalist includes
Lee Ritenour,
George Duke,
Anita Baker,
Rod Stewart, and
Peabo Bryson.
Perry's solo albums have mostly featured great original tracks, but his biggest solo hit back in 1991 was a cover of
Aretha Franklin's
"Call Me." So what could be more engaging than having his soothing voice breeze through tasteful arrangements of songs everyone knows? He's silky and whimsical on gems popularized by everyone from
Marvin Gaye (dig those dreamy backing vocals on
"I Want You") and
Eddie Holman to
the Chi-Lites and
the Stylistics. Producer
Chris "Big Dog" Davis ensures through his unique arrangements that these are far from glorified elevator music. Both
Lionel Richie's
"Hello" and
the Spinners'
"I'll Be Around" are recast as trippy, atmospheric romances that allow
Perry to add his own unique stamp to what has been heard a million times.
"Hello" in particular is a unique creative triumph, with jazzy flute and film score lush orchestra. Covers sometimes seem to an easy way to create and market a project, but
Perry can be proud that he's done something very unique with the material he's chosen here. ~ Jonathan Widran
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