Phil Perry & Kevin Sanlin's
## 2 Albums ##
Phil Perry & Kevin Sanlin - For Those Who Love (1980)
By Papa Funk
Kevin notes, “The album got immediate play in different markets because of us being former Montclairs. But everywhere we got play, nobody could buy the product. Even after the label was informed, they didn’t send any. Phil concurs, “We had been signed by somebody who was no longer at the label; and we were taking up the space of somebody else that they wanted.”
Phil Perry & Kevin Sanlin - We're The Winners (1981)
By Papa Funk
In spite of the administrative debacle, the nine-song For Those Who Love LP showcases Phil and Kevin’s mastery of true-to-life songwriting and precise vocal delivery. Whether it’s the celebratory midtempo groove of “Off on Your Love” (the album’s second single) or the earnest sentiment of “Since You (Came into My Life),” there is no mistaking the high caliber of musicianship. It doesn’t hurt, of course, to be backed by such venerable instrumentalists as Leon Ndugu Chancler, Patrice Rushen, Michael McGloiry, Nathan East, and Tony Coleman. Phil explains, “They were the A-cats. The music we were recording needed A-player interpretation to be all that it could be.” Although Charles Jackson produced the majority of content, Dr. Cecil Hale oversaw the recording of two remakes: Earth Wind & Fire’s “You Can’t Hide Love” and Spinners’ “We Belong Together.”
Phil comments, “Those are two very good records fused into one. The arrangement was very slick for the time, and both stood on their own. But we didn’t like not having anything to do with the arrangement. All we did was come in and sing.”
Phil comments, “Those are two very good records fused into one. The arrangement was very slick for the time, and both stood on their own. But we didn’t like not having anything to do with the arrangement. All we did was come in and sing.”
** Phil Perry **
As for the creative process, Phil and Kevin applied the same hard-work ethic that guided their time in The Montclairs. “We worked out who would sing what prior to going into the studio,” Phil mentions. “Creative suggestions were made throughout the recording process; but we weren’t mandated to do things a particular way. We just wanted to make sure we had enough time to make the product as good as possible.” The artistic results were fittingly fruitful on the duo’s second album. Under seasoned producer-arranger Richard Evans, We’re the Winners was released in 1981. Kevin reflects, “Richard is extremely gifted. Unfortunately, the business was moving away from big-budget recordings at the time. Very few artists continued to use full orchestration.” A fan favorite from Winners is “Just Like Magic,” penned by Phil with the legendary Les McCann. “I jumped at the chance to work with him,” he remembers. The song’s enchanting melody and full-bodied arrangement provide the perfect backdrop for a stunning vocal that transitions effortlessly from tender to ecstatic in under five minutes. He notes, however, that his favorite song on the record is one composed by Kevin: the endearing “Stay.” “That’s the prettiest song on the record, and Kevin’s guitar solo is the most interpretive.” Kevin recalls writing the music while at the house of session singer Darryl Phinnessee. He confides that Phil, in fact, wrote most of the song’s lyrics. “The music was so simple, honest, and pretty that it lent itself well as a backdrop for the story of asking to share someone else’s company,” Phil shares.
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