Jeffree – Jeffree (1979)
Smooth and sweet soul from Jeffree – an unsung 70s vocalist with a really great approach! Jeffree, aka Jeff Perry, is the brother of Greg Perry – and works in a similar style to his more famous brother – warmly grooving soul with a fluid, mellow approach – served up with great production, bubbling rhythms, and a really solid sound overall. The work is very much in the best tradition of 70s giants like Marvin Gaye or Leroy Hutson.
Jeffree Perry was literally born into the music business. His uncle, Robert Bateman, was one of the early pioneers at Motown, serving as a talent scout, engineer, and co-producer. Bateman was also a co-writer and producer of the company’s first number one hit, “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes. As a child, Perry and his four siblings sang everywhere and anywhere for anyone who would listen. When he was 12, Jeff’s brothers cut their Atlantic debut as the Perry Brothers. Along with younger brothers Dennis and Zachary, Jeff started doing background vocal sessions for Chess Records. Another brother, Greg Perry (whose ’70s Smokin’ album remains a cult classic) started producing forHolland/Dozier/Holland’s Invictus and Hot Wax Records. Perry got into production and songwriting.
Greg Perry co-wrote and produced the gold single “Somebody’s Been Sleeping in My Bed” for Jeffree Perry’s group 100 Proof Aged in Soul. The two brothers assisted each other with hits for the Honey Cone (“Want Ads“, “Stick Up” and “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show“). The hits continued with the Chairman of the Board’s “Pay to the Piper” and the gold controversial classic “Bring the Boys Home” byFreda Payne.
For a couple of years, Perry worked with Motown. During his tenure, he met and worked closely with legendary Motown bassist James Jamerson, became a close personal friend of Marvin Gaye, and scored a hit, “One Love in My Lifetime” with Diana Ross. Coming to Chicago, Perry began working with producer Carl Davis (the Chi-Lites, Gene Chandler). The collaboration lead to Perry writing and producing Jackie Wilson’s last commercial album, Beautiful Day.
Soon afterwards, Perry launched his solo career on Clive Davis’ Arista Records. His “Love Don’t Come No Stronger” was the label’s first R&B hit. Teaming up with producer Norman Whitfield, he recorded an album for MCA, Jeffree, and worked with the group Stargard. The two smooth singles from Jeffree, “Mr. Fix-It” and “Love’s Gonna Last“, and the album itself charted in the lower half of Billboard’s charts in 1979.
A1. Mr. Fix-It (4:08)
A2. I Can’t Help It Baby (6:46)
A3. Better Wake Up Girl (4:40)
A4. One Last Chance (3:32)
B1. All My Loving (Was Made For You) (6:13)
B2. Take My Love (4:58)
B3. Love’s Gonna Last (6:00)
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