Vocalist
Phil Perry
has been underappreciated since leaving
the Montclairs
. His fine recordings with
Kevin Sanlin
were criminally ignored in the 1980s, and while he's occasionally scored on Billboard's R&B and contemporary jazz charts, he's 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 Cooke
's immortal "You Send Me." He introduces it with a reverent take on
Cooke
's 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. It's a beautiful update. For a reading of "Where Is the Love" with
Chante Moore
, the pair's voices blend well, recalling the vintage classiness of
Roberta Flack
's and
Donny Hathaway
's 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 Tallman
's backing vocals underscoring
's crystalline, sensual delivery highlighted by
on soprano sax. There are fine readings of
Michael McDonald
Carly Simon
's "You Belong to Me," with
Donnell Smallwood
on backing vocals and a radical, yet moving take on
Lennon
McCartney
's "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 Simon
's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," which is anything but solemn.
Davis
' arrangement is lively yet dignified.
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
is quite polished, the production never gets in the way of
's voice. The choice of material is well considered; it's tailored to his elastic, signature phrasing and clean yet expressive emotional delivery. ~ Thom Jurek