Sugaray Rayford – Human Decency
This artist has some genuine soul in his stimulating voice. Having started as early as 7 years old he must have absorbed some early ’60s soul to have such a deeply expressive voice in the neighborhood of The Four Top’s late Levi Stubbs. Caron “Sugaray” Rayford may not be as distinctive as Stubbs or have Otis Redding’s excitement yet but you can hear that kind of authority & presence fully stacked in his favor. The lead track has the support of a pumping piano & Muscle Shoals-type guitar delivery on the charging “Falling Upwards.” Let the tunes begin.
Though the CD design is a bit all over the place the music isn’t. Mr. Rayford skillfully negotiates the blues-soul genres & blends them like a seasoned mixologist. He adds some sweet funk but never overindulges & squeezes in some R&B flavors for a kick. The CD was produced by Eric Corne (harmonies/various instruments) with 9 well-punctuated tunes that never cease to please on Human Decency (Drops June 14/Forty Below Records/37:19).
I’m surprised that the Grammy-nominated Sugaray Rayford can cushion each of his cuts with soulful saucy notes without the guitar getting too greasy or a song’s atmosphere getting too humid. Rayford sings engagingly on “Run For Cover” & tosses in some excellent rock n’ roll spice.
“Strawberry Hill” is fluid with its Soul Finger Bar-Kays hot brass tack that kicks down tight with lots of splendor. The vocals are deliciously produced & his performance could be as mindful of the masterful early ‘60s power-pop singer Gene McDaniel’s (“Another Tear Falls”).
For balladry warmth, Sugaray provides a steady groove with “Dirty Rat,” with its late-night big city sultry guitar & snappy snare whipped timekeeping. I like this man’s voice. It can be satiny, when necessary, with nary a sign of falsetto. Then go as far as to suggest the sexual tonality of the late Barry White (when needed) tied to his vocals but not quite as commercially textured as Barry. Instead, Rayford maintains a serious musical dialect that’s sinewy, smooth & supple.
By “Ain’t That the Man,” Sugaray is deeper & bolder into a contrasting soulful-blues man persona. Smoked-out rhythms with a blend of Muddy Waters & B.B. King that works…works…works on all levels. I miss great soul music. It comes around again with Sugaray’s touch on a mix of old Chuck Jackson/Ray Charles tonalities with “Aha,” to conclude the well-focused & polished set. This is enjoyable. Let’s start it over.
Highlights – “Falling Upwards,” “Human Decency,” “Stuck Between” (with Sam Morrow), “Strawberry Hill,” “Run For Cover,” “Dirty Rat,” “Ain’t That the Man” & “Aha.”
Musicians – Rick Holmstrom & Eamon Ryand (guitars), Saundra Williams (vocals), Matt Tecu (drums), Taras Prodaniuk (bass), Sasha Smith & Drake Shining (keys), Mark Pender (trumpet), Joe Sublett (sax) & Dan Kaneyuki (flutist).
CD @ Amazon + https://fortybelowrecords.com/store-bU6aL/p/human-decency-sugaray-rayford & https://sugarayrayford.com/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Sugaray Rayford “In Too Deep”