It's always great to hear a real artist who not only writes, produces and performs his own songs but has also a recognizable voice. And that's just what Peven Everett has to offer.
Born in 1975 in Harvey, Illinois he soon went on the road with Betty Carter, Winton Marsalis and Brandford Marsalis. So it's no surprise he also contributed to Curtis Lundy's (by the way the brother of one of my favourite jazz singers Carmen Lundy) album Against All Odds.
Peven came to my attention with some great house records like Roy Davis Jr.'s influential Gabriel, Watch Them Come or his Soul Tempura EP for Diaspora.
But Studio Confessions is more of a soul album than a house record only the uptempo instrumental Sankofa can be understood more as a jazz house song.
The other 9 songs here are material that would make artists like D'Angelo proud. Just listen to World Love or the great Testin Me and One More Time (both have already been available as a 12" single) that combines house influences with soul perfectly.
To some extent Peven's ways to use his voice and creating some interwoven layers with it (like he did on I Wanna Make Love or I Can Give It) reminds me of the late Marvin Gaye which is always a good sign.
Studio Confessions is really more of a one man show with Peven doing nearly everything here, singing, playing, producing and even some rapping on They So Cold (the only song here that's not so suitable for my taste since I'm really not into rapping while on the other hand I find the short rap on I Can Give It quite fitting and nice). But there's enough soulful stuff here to keep me and you happy like the relaxed Say It Back or Everyday Girl.
To sum it up Studio Confessions is a modern soul classic that really shouldn't be missed. The only point against this album is that it's too short, but then better have 10 good songs on an album than some unnecessary fillers!