Review: Sugaray Rayford ‘Human Decency’

Review: Sugaray Rayford ‘Human Decency’

By Martine Ehrenclou

Multi Blues Music Award winner and Grammy Award nominee, Sugaray Rayford is at the top of his soul/blues game on his new album Human Decency. An all-star cast of musicians come together on the third collaboration between vocalist/songwriter Rayford and producer, songwriter Eric Corne. The album is out on Corne’s label, Forty Below Records.

The nine original songs on Human Decency are smart and edgy, delivered by powerhouse vocalist Sugaray. Corne recruited top-tier musicians for the album, including guitarist Rick Holmstrom and singer Saundra Williams (Mavis Staples’ band, along with drummer Matt Tecu (Jakob Dylan), bassist Taras Prodaniuk (Lucinda Williams), guitarist Eamon Ryand (Happy Mondays), keyboardists Sasha Smith (Sam Beam) and Drake “Munkihaid” Shining (Deep Purple), trumpeter Mark Pender (Bruce Springsteen), saxophonist Joe Sublett (B.B. King), flutist Dan Kaneyuki (Goo Goo Dolls) and Corne who lends harmonies and a variety of instruments.

Sugaray has come a long way since Tyler, Texas, where he grew up. His mother struggled to raise three boys alone while battling cancer. After moving in with his grandmother, he and his brothers had food to eat and attended church every day. Here, Sugaray found gospel and soul music and eventually found his way to the award-winning Mannish Boys. He carved a solo career for himself, releasing Blind Alley and The World That We Live In (2017). His albums Somebody Save Me (2019) and In Too Deep (2022), both with Eric Corne, earned multiple Blues Music Awards including B.B. King Entertainer of the Year and a Grammy nomination.

Human Decency continues Rayford’s trajectory of soul/blues with a message. The songs include important themes about coming together regardless of race and other differences, and focusing on the common good. There’s also emphasis on tricksters in a few of the nine tracks, starting with opening number, the funky soul/blues “Failing Upwards.” Rayford seems to be singing from a deep place with full control of his voice. Not that he didn’t before—but there’s something special in his delivery this time around. This is the first of several tracks that calls out the BS in today’s world.

This collaboration between producer/songwriter Eric Corne and vocalist/songwriter Sugaray Rayford is gaining ground with its own unique sound and tone. What they’re doing is significant—taking on moral issues and shining a light on the charlatans and their divisive ways.

The title track “Human Decency” features more soul than some of the other tracks on the album by way of melody, expert horns and a touch of flute. As with several songs in the set, the smoothness of the music belies the urgency of the lyrics, making for a subtle delivery.

“Stuck Between” is a funky standout with horns, guitar, bass, and drums all in the right places. It features guest Sam Morrow on vocals, a nice contrast to Sugaray’s. Eric Corne seems to be a master of a number of things, one of which is creating contrast in the songs.

Another standout is “Run For Cover,” a horn-filled song so catchy you can’t turn away. Once again we have contradiction—a fun, upbeat almost trippy tune with deep lyrics delivered by the formidable Sugaray. There’s heady lyrics too. “Oh lord , What have we done, Turned Mother Earth into a loaded gun.”

“Dirty Rat” is yet another example of the one-two-punch of the lyrics paired with ultra smooth grooves. Sugaray’s voice is beautiful, rich, textured, more like Teddy Pendergrass in all the best ways. The tune is about a con man and his deceit and it’s sung as if it were a love song. Irony is the name of the game here.

Sugaray lets loose on “Ain’t That A Man” and the playful “Hanky Panky.” Funky rhythms and catchy bass lines abound. And when you think you’ve heard this talented artist go all out, the album closes with “Aha”, a gospel/blues written by Sugaray with potent lyrics drawn from his upbringing.

Highly recommended.

Watch “Run For Cover”