In these days when vocals clones abound, Phil Perry is a rare artist. An ultra-soulful lyrical interpreter of song, unafraid to express himself with power and intensity. Phil's emotive musical style sets him apart from many of today's male vocalists. While his first Capitol Album, 1991's The Hart Of The Men established, Phil as a force to be reckoned with. Pure Pleasure (his debut for MCA/GRP Records) promises to take this consummate singer to e new level of recognition and acceptance.Pure Pleasure covers a wide musical range, with Phil's instantly recognizable vocal sound providing emotional continuity and consistency. Whether it's "You Say I Say" a bright and breezy cut, co-written and co-produced by Phil with fellow star vocalist James Ingram or his dramatic, passionate reading of The Spinners' 1974 classic "Love Don't Love Nobody", the album is a showcase for the man's all-encompassing talent.Phil gives that Patti La Belle early '80s classic "If Only You Knew" an intense, ultra-soulful workout. while he treats Earth, Wind & Fire's "After The Love Has Gone" ( a duet with singer Vesta Williams which was also featured on GRP's hit album The Benoit / Freeman Project) with tender, loving care."My approach was to make a record that wasn't boring. that people might find meaningful 10 years from now, that I didn't reflect a fad" says the East St. Louis native. "I felt that the song would determine the direction of the album and I really lived with the 11 songs before recorded them. That allowed me to deliver them with a certain sincerity, like I really knew them..."Making the point, Pil mentions "Angel Of the Night" one of the album's many highlights. " I wrote the lyric of that song as the result of a dream I had...and the effect it had on me, how it made me feel about being more tender, compassionate, and understanding, about my life and about my wife..."A truly heartfelt ballad "When It Comes To Love" is another example of a song that Phil holds dear. "To me, that's in the classic vein of a '70s Philly slow ballad... I call it a 'singer song' and in terms of sublect matter, it's all about reviewing a relationship and knowing you've got to laugh with it, cry with it, feel pain, care for it... you do what you gotta do for love..."That kind of life-long commitment to music is what distinguishes Phil Perry as a one-of-akind artist. His passion for singing is in full evidence on Pure Pleasure, whether he's caressing the lyrics of "Heaven", grooving out on "Love It, Love It" (a Luther Vandross penned original).Of his new association with MCA/GRP, Phil notes, "My involvement in different musical capacities is encouraged, this is a company that is more receptive to having its artist be self-contained. I get a chance to show that I can do as a writer and producer as well as an artist and that's very important to me." Justifiably proud of his first work for the label, he describes Pure Pleasure an album that is "Full of passion, full of explosive musical and vocal performances and it's more well-rounded than the last record."With the sensual groove of "One Touch" as a lead single, Pure Pleasure is the fulfillment of all the promise Phil displayed on his last album and in his work with others. "You know, I've been such a sideman on so many projects now I'm ready to be up-front," Phil smiles. That's a desire that should easily be met with Pure Pleasure, a solid album of great music from Phil Perry, truly a soul man for the '90s.I edited my profile at Freeweblayouts.net , check out these Myspace Layouts!
