One of the advantages of having a website like jazz-not-jazz is that sometimes I get the chance to listen to artists that otherwise would have got lost in the masses of music, artists and websites out there. So I'm quite happy that I've received a copy of Edward Perry's mini album.
Ed began playing music at the age of nine in southern Texas but has now moved to New York. Starting his musical career in churches he stayed true to a religious context in his lyrics. Or in other words, this album is more Christian/Urban Gospel than your usual soul album.
In some parts Ed's music reminds me of the overlooked Kenny Smith and his So Real album from 1998 on Trinity records, that also offered more soul than an average R&B album and dealt mainly with god.
What makes Ed's album so special is his rich and deep soulful voice. Combined with some fine background vocals by Christina Roussell and Tyan Brown we get some real soulful songs like the slow and mellow He'll Be There, the midtempo Last Night or Friend. Three songs that wouldn't have been out of place on a Dennis Taylor, Gerald Levert or Will Downing album.
The other three songs are all ballads focusing more on Ed and his voice. On Fill Me he's accompanied on piano by Jules Bartholomew, on Draw Me Nearer Gerard Williams accompanies Ed Perry on guitar and finally there's another praise to the man above More And More that's fine with its piano and string instrumentation although I think the fingersnipping here sounds a little too artificially.
All in all this is a good appetizer for a full length album that's hopefully coming in the near future since with only six songs this CD is much too short.