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Self-Released, 2022
8/10
The alias of the smooth jazz and experimental artist Max Clemmons Jr., as Perry he welcomes Mr. Nigel Innis on saxophone across these 8 retro flavored tunes that are ideal for fans of downtempo sounds.
“Do You” opens the listen with a beat driven and piano friendly display of pop, funk and soul ideas meshing in playful yet sophisticated ways, and “Dinner Table” follows with wordless vocals complementing the hip-hop nods and warm grooves.
Halfway through, the title track brings radiant keys and no shortage of melody to the R&B tinted textures, while “I Like What You Do” showcases the soulful sax amid a cozy buzzing in the very stylish album highlight.
“Hot Sake” and “Finale” exit the listen, where the former flirts with electro-pop in unpredictable ways, and the latter highlights the sophisticated piano with a nearly classical spirit.
Although there’s a distinct jazz undercurrent to be found on the record, Perry is no stranger to pop, soul, R&B, and funk ideas, too, and it makes for a ‘neo-retro’ listen that’s quite charming.
Travels well with: Matt Olson- Open Spaces; Stephen Martin- High Plains