Greg Perry
Greg Perry was an influential American soul singer, songwriter, and producer known for his work in the 1970s music scene. Born on January 21, 1948, in Alton, Illinois, he rose through collaborations with labels like Chess Records and Holland-Dozier-Holland's Invictus/Hot Wax, contributing to hits for artists such as Freda Payne and Honey Cone.
Perry showed early musical talent, learning piano and singing in school groups before signing with Chess Records as a teenager. He immersed himself in songwriting at the label, working long hours in their studios and collaborating with figures like Angelo Bond and General Johnson.
Perry released singles like "The Boogie Man" (1974), which charted at #81 on the R&B charts, and later hits including "Come On Down (Get Your Head Out Of The Clouds)" (#24 R&B in 1975) and "I'll Be Comin' Back" (#48 R&B). His 1982 single "It Takes Heart" reached #53 on R&B charts.
He co-wrote and produced major tracks such as Freda Payne's "Bring The Boys Home" and Honey Cone's "Want Ads," earning Grammy nominations for 100 Proof (Aged in Soul)'s "Somebody's Been Sleeping." Perry also produced albums for his wife, Edna Wright (formerly of Honey Cone), and worked with Mary Wells and Bonnie Pointer.
Married to Edna Wright for decades, Perry was part of a musical family with brothers like Jeff Perry (aka Jeffree). He passed away on March 13, 2023, at age 75, leaving a legacy of soul hits and behind-the-scenes contributions.
One For The Road
A2 I'll Be Comin' Back 3:59
A3 Will She Meet The Train In The Rain ? 5:47
A4 Next Time I See You (I'm Gonna Be Ready) 3:25
B1 Love Is Magic (Instrumental) 4:35
B2 I Want To Live And Let Live (Love And Let Love All The Time) 3:15
B3 Come On Down (Get Your Head Out The Clouds) 3:31
B4 Love Got Me Tired (But I Ain't Tired Of Love) 4:36
B5 One For The Road 3:33
Label: Casablanca – NBLP 7009
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
One For The Road is the debut 1975 solo album by American soul musician Greg Perry, celebrated as a cult classic and one of the great soul albums of all time. The album showcases Perry's lyrical ability and smooth vocals through songs that reviewers describe as telling a detailed, fictional story about a romantic bust.
The album is a masterpiece of vintage soul, funk, and R&B, with a mellow feel described as similar to the work of Leroy Hutson or Ronnie McNeir. It features superb production, noted for "hard-blown" horns placed low in the mix to create a "wall-of-sound" feel.
The ten tunes on the original LP are arranged to tell a continuous, engaging story from start to finish, exploring the intimate details and mistaken moves of a failing relationship from the protagonist's perspective.
It includes the notable two-step anthems "Variety Is The Spice Of Life" and "Come On Down (Get Your Head Out The Clouds)," which have become popular modern soul and boogie tracks.
The record features high-quality writing, playing, and production with a notable lineup of musicians, including Larry "Fatback" Tolbert on drums and Ray Parker on guitar, with horn and string arrangements by Paul Riser and David Crawford. The album was mixed by Grammy Award winner Reggie Dozier.
Perry was a major staff writer for Invictus/Hot Wax, co-writing hits for artists like the Chairmen of the Board and Freda Payne before releasing this solo work, which showcases his formidable songwriting talent.
Smokin’
Arranged By [Horns] – McKinley Jackson
Written-By – Katie Davis 6:29
2 Melodie
Written-By – Zachary Perry 3:25
3 (I Can See The) Handwriting On The Wall
Written-By – Greg Perry 4:24
4 How's Your Love Life, Baby?
Arranged By [Horns, Strings] – H. B. Barnum
Written-By – Sidney Barnes, Steve Stein 4:16
5 I'll Always Be In Love With Love
Written-By – Billy Smith, Katie Davis 6:33
6 A Taste Of You (Is A Taste Of Love)
Written-By – Ernie Smith, T.S. Wynns 4:36
7 Come Fly With Me
Written-By – Zachary Perry 4:28
8 Let's Get Away From It All
Written-By – Steve Stein, T.S. Wynns 4:51
Label: RCA Victor – APL1-1914
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre:R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Soul
Released in 1977 on RCA Records, Smokin' is the second and final solo album by celebrated soul songwriter and producer Greg Perry. It is widely regarded as a high-quality example of "Modern Soul"—a term for refined soul music that maintained its identity during the height of the disco era.
Reviews highlight the album's sophisticated 1970s production, featuring full live instrumentation, lush string sections, and "monster" bass lines.
The album is classified as a blend of soul, funk, and smooth soul. Critics often compare its sound to the work of Lamont Dozier, reflecting Perry's background with the legendary Invictus/Hot Wax labels.
Listeners frequently praise Perry's vocals and the "real instruments" used throughout, describing the album as a "solid vintage" record that remains "pretty darn good start to finish".
The album features a mix of uptempo tracks and slow ballads. Key songs include:
"How’s Your Love Life Baby?" – Cited as a favorite among soul and funk enthusiasts.
"Where There’s Smoke (There’s Fire)" – A lengthy 6:42 opener often noted for its deep groove.
"Come Fly With Me" – A standout track that received separate attention in soul circles.
Originally released on vinyl in 1977, the album has since been reissued on CD, making it more accessible to modern collectors. It is available digitally on platforms such as Amazon.