The Montclairs - Dreaming Out Of Season (1972)

So many angles here, where do we begin? Let's begin with Phil Perry, since it's where he had his first claim to local fame. The Montclairs, an East St. Louis soul vocal group had their debut in 1969 on Arch records. By the 70s Phil's sweet soul tenor led the way on the group's various singles and the one and only album ("Dreaming Out Of Season") release while recording for the Paula label. For whatever reason a number of killer ballads failed to get the necessary airplay from soul radio stations nationwide in the 70s, thus their songs failed to crack top 30. Soul record collectors however gobled up any mint copies they could lay their hands on, to date the lp remains a collectible item. Seems destiny had it all along that the wonderful voice of Phil Perry was destined to carry on, right through today. After the group folded, he and fellow Montclair member Kevin Sanlin continued recording, as a duo (Perry And Sanlin). They recorded two albums in the early eighties, both quality, loaded with ballads, highly sought after by collectors, and pricey enough lps, when located. To date, the two lps have yet to seen cd daylight . "Love Is Like A Statue" remains one of the writer's all-time 80s ballad classics. This cd loaded with high tenor ballads, is the reissue of the one and only Paula album, it appears out of print already, and commanding supply/demand numbers when offered for sale. Japan's P-Vine label originally reissued the lp on cd in the early 90s in Japan, that cd was not on U.S. distribution supply routes. Also, and more unfortunate, because it also no longer appears on the radar screeen is the late 90s 2-CD titled "The Montclairs, "Dreaming Out Of Season: The Paula Recordings", import release, encompassing the album on the 1st cd, and all the non-album 45s (A&B sides) Paula recordings, in one shot. This disappeared so quickly it's an example of "Here today, gone today"! Another of many reasons when it comes to reissued classics on cd, it's time to buy when they first appear. Must remind, "if you're slow...." Goes without saying, The Montclairs are a must in an old school soul/sweet soul music collection.