Description
Celebrate! is the debut album by the American jazz/R&B vocal quartet Perri, released on Zebra Records in 1986, manufactured and distributed by MCA Records. The album was recorded March thru June 1985 by Larry Hinds at Rock Steady Recording, Wayne Cook Studio, Summa Entertainment, and Sound Castle in Los Angeles, California; with Patrick Henderson producing. Mixed by Hinds at Sound Castle.
The Perry sisters got their break into the big time in storybook fashion. About four years ago, the Perrys took several compositions by jazz guitarist Pat Metheny and added lyrics to both the melodies and solos. Metheny loved what he heard on the demo tape they submitted to him, and he invited the girls to a live audition and subsequently on tour with him.
The concept of adding lyrics to jazz music (called “vocalese”) is not new, but never has it been done with so much outright soul as on ‘Celebrate’. The Perrys combine the zest of the church with the vibes of the street, blend in some elastic jazz riffing, and produce a truly unique new sound. It’s not indicated who solos on what track, but between the four, they cover several stylistic bases from the supple croon of Al Jarreau to the gospel wail of Twinkie Clark.
As the saying goes, “you dance with who brung ya,” so the sisters include two songs by Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays («Jaco» and «Airstream»). Other highlights include tunes by Patrick Henderson (the propulsive dance groove «You Take Me to Heaven»), the exhilarating title track written by Manhattan Transfer guitarist Wayne Johnson, and Andrae Crouch’s classic «He Never Sleeps». [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, June/July 1986]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Jaco Two” – 4:20
A2. “Maybe Tomorrow” – 4:56
A3. “Alone” – 7:12
A4. “Celebrate!” – 7:25
Side Two
B1. “You Take Me To Heaven” – 4:32
B2. “Airstream Two” – 6:03
B3. “Say (You’ll Be Mine)” – 4:31
B4. “He Never Sleeps” – 3:02
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Zebra Records.
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