For those not in the know, although that must surely be a small, oh so tiny group, singer/songwriter Steve Perry is, perhaps, best known as the original lead singer of the rock band Journey during their most commercially successful periods from 1977 to 1987 (and again from 1995 to 1998).

That said, it should also be noted that Perry had a rather successful solo career between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s.

Indeed, over the years, Perry's singing voice has garnered acclaim from prominent musical peers and publications and was even dubbed "The Voice"; a moniker originally coined by Jon Bon Jovi.

Furthermore, he was ranked #76 on Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Greatest Singers of All Time", and was rightly inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Journey on April 7th, 2017.

Legendary singer-songwriter and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Steve Perry now makes his long-awaited return with the quite brilliant, Traces, his first new album in nearly a quarter century.

The famed singer introduces Traces with lead track 'No Erasin' and reassuringly greets fans with the opening line, "I know it's been a long time coming".

An emotional homecoming, of sorts, it's also a very familiar welcome from the iconic voice and writer of Journey's timeless, global hits including 'Don't Stop Believin',' 'Faithfully,' and 'Open Arms' - as well as the significant solo success of 'Oh Sherrie' and 'Foolish Heart.'

1. 'No Erasin'
2. 'We're Still Here'
3. 'Most Of All'
4. 'No More Cryin'
5. 'In The Rain'
6. 'Sun Shines Gray'
7. 'You Belong To Me'
8. 'East To Love'
9. 'I Need You'
10. 'We Fly'

The brilliantly true-to-Perry-uptempo-ballad form 'No Erasin' kicks things off nicely and that's backed by both the lead single, 'We're Still Here' (a track that is Perry at his very, very finest), and then the gently upbeat piano ballad, 'Most Of All.'

'No More Cryin' is a Gospel soul R&B blessing tinged with a wee bit of old Motown heart, and that's followed by the slower paced 'In The Rain.' Not an album of truly motoring, fist-pumpin' anthems (which is quite alright), next up are the mid-tempo tracks 'Sun Shines Gray' and then another heartfelt ballad in the form of 'You Belong To Me.'

The sweet soul flow of 'Easy To Love' showcases just how good Perry's vocals still are today, with the depth of reach on 'I Need You' as amazing as anything else that's gone by. The album then, sadly, rounds out with the euphoric sentiment of the stoically emphatic 'We Fly' - but, if you're anything like me, you hit Play once again and allow the album to flow freely one more time.

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www.StevePerry.com