Vinyl disc High Risk, Low Rewards (180g LP)

Like all great artists, Ryan Perry is not afraid to break down and start over. Since 2007, the bandleader from Mississippi has earned the reputation of the award-winning blues band Homemade Jamz Band. But when it came to his solo debut, Perry took a leap of faith and trusted his talent, which would safely take him to the other side. Now High Risk, Low Reward announces the landing of a solo artist in the treasury. "This album," he says, —was the hardest thing I've ever done."

The High Risk, Low Reward game, inspired by Perry's soulful guitar and deep vocals, will delight longtime fans of the Homemade Jamz blues band. But the eleven songs Perry recorded at Berlin's Erde studio with producer Roger Inniss will also attract a whole new fan base. From the classic blues tone of the title track to the beat—up Hard Times ode to the struggle in modern America, this album touches every generation that hears it.

Ain't Afraid To Eat Alone is a funky and soulful song, opening with a snarky lead guitar intro that sets the standards. Homesick has a medium-tempo funk blues and a heavy heart, while other prominent personalities notice Perry reflecting on his broken relationships. In "Changing Blues", the band leader reflects on where his favorite genre might go. "The blues has changed in the last twenty years,— he says. "How will it sound in another twenty?"

Wherever the blues scene goes, expect Ryan Perry to be at the head of the pack, still addressing age-old truths, but delivering them with an energy and vision that resonates with new listeners. "The new generation of blues is already here," he nods. "And he's here to stay..."