(November 5, 2019) Occasionally, we explore promising talents from abroad, representing the riveting spirit that fuels soul music, whether classic, new or neo. Let us now introduce you to Verona, Italy native Filippo Perbellini, a singer/songwriter/pianist who grew up with the Motown sound. Beginning his vocal training at age seven, Perbellini immersed himself in studies and competitions throughout his home country.
Eventually there was a debut recording in 2009, Half and Half for Universal Italy, mixing Italian power pop tracks and covers by The Temptations and Stevie Wonder. Over the following years, Perbellini invested in more studio sessions between Los Angeles and London. More recently, Perbellini can be heard on some tracks for the popular Italian soul/funk company, Irma Records, plus his latest single, the Quincy Jones imprinted, “Goodbye So Long.”
(November 5, 2019) Occasionally, we explore promising talents from abroad, representing the riveting spirit that fuels soul music, whether classic, new or neo. Let us now introduce you to Verona, Italy native Filippo Perbellini, a singer/songwriter/pianist who grew up with the Motown sound. Beginning his vocal training at age seven, Perbellini immersed himself in studies and competitions throughout his home country.
Eventually there was a debut recording in 2009, Half and Half for Universal Italy, mixing Italian power pop tracks and covers by The Temptations and Stevie Wonder. Over the following years, Perbellini invested in more studio sessions between Los Angeles and London. More recently, Perbellini can be heard on some tracks for the popular Italian soul/funk company, Irma Records, plus his latest single, the Quincy Jones imprinted, “Goodbye So Long.”
From the long awaited, soon to come second CD, Almost Midnight, our latest First Listen installment, “Sexy Thing” (Vicari Sound Organization), finds Perbellini in the accompanying video tracking an all-out gorgeous woman walking down the streets of Los Angeles, graced by a nice and easy funk-based soundtrack. Thanks to lessons learned by Perbellini from adult contemporary soul/R&B craftsmen who have guided him in the past decade, such as producer Tommy Vicari, keyboardist/arranger Greg Mathieson, arranger Rod Temperton and vocal icon Jeffrey Osborne, “Sexy Thing” bears a soulful vocal swagger. And that groove happy soundtrack further helps the cause, framed by glorious background voices and punctuated horns. All in all, Perbellini shows himself to be a student of classic soul sounds who is ready to move to the head of the class.
By Peggy Oliver
Filippo Perbellini - "Sexy Thing"