Interview with U-Nam, October 2004
(c) Frank Schuckelt
Phil Perry recorded U-Nams song "Right here, right now" in May 2002. The track's being pubished on the compilation "Cafe de Soul". This is an Interview of Frank Schuckelt answering U-Nam some questions about the song, about ...
How did you discover Phil Perry?
It was on TV. There was a Quincy Jones concert in Montreux in 1992 or something like that and Phil was invited as a guest to perform "Forever". He was putting all his heart and soul in his performance and actually I've found out later that whenever Phil is performing, it's like that.
Why did you choose Phil Perry for your song "Right here, right now"?
Actually I'm a big big fan of Phil from the beginning. First time I've heard "Forever" from the "Amazing Love" album it was like wow!!! who's that guy??? I was so impressed - an amazing voice, so soulful and also smooth and what a song - what a production. I fell in love with his voice and then I'd followed his career. Album after album I've never been disappointed. Great songs, great productions, amazing vocal performances and after all this years "Forever" is still my favorite Phil Perry song.
How did you get in contact with Phil?
I've sent some e-mails through his website and was in contact for a year with his lovely wife Lillian.
Where did you met Phil and record the song?
It was in Los Angeles in May 2002. At that time I was not sure at all that Phil will accept to record a song with me. So I went in a jazz club where he was singin', met him and spoke with him and then he agreed to do a track with me. Then back home he wrote the lyrics and 3 days after we were in studio to record the song.
Tell us something about the first meeting, atmosphere in the studio, how long did it take to record the vocals?
At the beginnin', I was kinda lost 'cos actually Phil was recording in another room without any possibilities to see him. Just talking through the talkback on the console and you know far far from home - first time in LA - alone - recording Phil Perry - you can imagine. But after a couple of hours everything was real cool and we've finished two hours later. Phil did all his amazing lead and backgound vocals and we had a great time in the studio.
Describe "Right here, right now", the mood of the track
Well basically it's a soul ballad with a lot of evolutions in it, with some R&B gospel flavors too.
Who played all the instruments?
I've produced the track and wrote the music. I've programmed all the drums, the keyboards and played all the lead and rhythm guitars. I recorded and mixed the track in my studio, too.
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.: Hear a song snippet :. |
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.: review of "cafe de Soul Vol 5 :.
...up is 'Right Here Right Now' by Unam featuring the unmistakeable vocals of the one and only Phil Perry - I think all things considered, Phil Perry is possibly THE most consistently wonderful vocalist working today, you just don't hear him put in a substandard performance, a true legend and I for one can't wait to catch the guy in concert again next year at the Jazz FM Weekender, having had another 'I was there' moment when we witnessed his mindblowing live performance at Prestatyn in March 2004 - this track is typical of the quality and downtempo style of this album, it's a beautiful jazzy meandering and melodic piece of music for four minutes, then it goes into what can only be called a jam session - when I first heard it on Richard Searling's Jazz FM show I actually thought it was two records - interesting to say the least - the first four minutes are wonderful though... |
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The other musicians are :
Guy N'Sangué: bass
Jean Luc Ponty,Kassav: Live Drums and Percs
Franck Ridacker: Organ
Franck Sitbon: Sax Section
Bobby Rangel (Nelson Rangel's brother): Rhodes
Jeff Lorber: Rhodes
Did you met any other musicians in L.A.?
Actually a lot - lot - lot. The first time I was in LA I recorded Gary Meek on saxophone, too. He played 7 tracks on my album and also Jeff Lorber whom I first met in Paris in my studio.
The track is a part of a compilation...
Yes, the compilation's called "Café De Soul Vol 5". It's a UK soul/smooth jazz label. They've got some success in UK. The compilation is working well and especially my song with Phil ( Right Here, Right Now ) had a lot of airplay on Solar Radio, Smooth FM (biggests Soul radio in UK), Jam FM in Germany and great great reviews. I had to say I'm very, very happy about that. Especially 'cos now I'm invited on this big soul UK event called Blackpool Weekender in January to perform a showcase and the funny thing is that Phil is one of the highlight on this event with Glenn Jones and Howard Hewett. I can't tell everything right now but some surprises will happen.
Do you plan to release that song on your own CD in the near future?
As I'll be in Blackpool to showcase my first album, it should be released first in Japan and then in UK/Europe in January and we're working on an US release. It'll be on the UK label "Café De Soul". It's a mix of Soul, Smooth Jazz, R&B - half songs, half instrumentals. I've got a lot of guests for sure Phil Perry, Jeff Lorber and Gary Meek but also Dun from The Last Poet, Daddy O and Rahsaan Patterson. I've played almost all the instruments - Guitars, Bass, Keys. My guitar playin' is very influenced by George Benson. So I hope to be back to talk more about it.
Thanks so much Frank for your interest and congratulations for your "Magnifique" Phil Perry website -
U-Nam
It was my pleasure - Thanks U-NAM - let's keep all Phil Perry fans updated with a review of your new CD published in spring 2005 - Frank
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