Perry & Sanlin [1980] - You Can't Hide Love [Capitol #ST-12118]

A wonderful track from (Phil) Perry & (Kevin) Sanlin from their 1980 album 'For Those Who Love' which was never issued as a 45.  It's a cover of Creative Source's 'You Can't Hide Love'  recorded on Sussex in 1973.  Several other artists have covered the song including EWF in 1975 on 'Gratitude', Carmen McCrae in 1976, Hodges, James & Smith in 1978, Dionne Warwick in 1982 along with many others.

Perry & Sanlin was a short term collaboration who recorded only 2 albums and a handful of singles. They were both originally members of The Montclairs from East St. Louis, Illinois, who, after a couple of early singles on Arch and Vanessa, released several 45s and an album, 'Dreaming Out Of Season', on Paula. 

Their first single on Arch, 'Hey You! Don't Fight It!', released in 1969, is a rare and much sought after track. The Vanessa single was picked up by Paula for national distribution which led to their signing to Paula. Several of their Paula 45s were played on the Northern Soul scene. 'Unwanted Love', 'I Just Can't Get Away', 'Hung Up On Your Love', 'I Need You More Than Ever' (a wonderful Bobby Patterson song). Their biggest, by far, on NS scene was 'Hung Up On You Love', along with 'Hey You! Dont Fight It!', which is ironic as these, apart from their Vanessa release, were their only 45s that failed to chart on US R&B chart!

Much of their material was sweet soul ballads with Phil Perry's falsetto vocals on lead.  Perry has gone on to have a successful solo career as an artist (he's released a dozen or so solo albums since 1991) and is a highly sought after session singer.  He also wrote most of The Montclairs songs.

A comment on Discogs suggests that his 3 best tracks are If Only You Knew, Call Me and One Touch and I couldn't argue with any of those, but there are so many others. He has a super soulful voice.

Now here's a real bonus, by sheer coincience whilst I was looking for something else,  I've just found an interview with Phil Perry conducted by Mick O'Donnell on his Soul Discovery show on 1st Jan 2020. You can listen to it here.  I've just finished listening to the full interview and have to say what a humble and lovely man Phil Perry is and Mick dropped several tracks I'd  previously not heard.  Many thanks to both for airing the interview. I highly recommend listening when you have time (it's 51 mins long) ... and also tuning into Mick's regular podcasts.  He's been off the air for a few years but made a welcome return last year.

P.S. I just remembered that last year I posted a video of him performing 'Everything Must Change' live. What a stunning performance!  If that doesn't move you then nothing will!

I've also previously posted The Montclairs Hung Up On Your Love  along with an updated version by Woody Cunningham.