PopSyndicate.com

Not that urban radio doesn’t have its bright spots here and there, but on the whole, I can’t really stand much of what passes for R&B. A lot of it just doesn’t feel very genuine to me, and for the most part, it doesn’t really appeal to anyone over legal drinking age. Of the handful of artists I’ve come to admire, Raheem DeVaughn is something of a standout. Very much an old-fashioned crooner, he at least makes an effort to make music for everyone. There’s restraint and maturity to the music that’s appreciated. There’s a strangely comforting optimism, as he refers to himself on the intro to his latest album, Love Behind The Melody, as the “R&B hippie/neo-soul/rockstar”.

Twinges of Marvin Gaye can be heard throughout the album, beginning with “Woman”, DeVaughn’s ode to all women, whether they be a mother, sister, friend, or lover. Lyrics like “You can have a big old and big old house, but next to God, nothing else amounts to a woman”, would seem to denounce a lot of the materialistic posturing that often finds its way into a lot of popular R&B songs. Stuff like that has its place, mind you, but it’s refreshing to hear an artist who doesn’t follow the playbook of, say, R. Kelly. Even with a song like “Love Drug”, it’s all about equality, as DeVaughn declares to his love that they’re both each other’s addiction. The silky falsetto is the strength of this playful ballad.

The closest thing to a danceable groove on Love Behind the Melody comes from the aptly-titled “Energy”, with surprisingly symphonic production from hip-hop producer Scott Storch. The uptempo bass line is just what the album needs, while a rap verse courtesy of Outkast’s Big Boi caps off the track nicely.

Not without its missteps, Love Behind The Melody starts to feel somewhat stuck in Motown territory for a few tracks, especially with the sampling of “My Girl” on “Friday (Shut Down The Club)”, followed by “Mo Better”. But DeVaughn thankfully rebounds quickly, as “Desire” proves to be one of the most ambitious songs on the album, almost operatic in its lyrics and sweeping chorus. When he sings “can’t you hear it in my voice how I desire you?”, there’s a great deal of emotion behind it. Combined with the mellow, soulful production from Kenny Dope, the song succeeds on every level. It’s a tough act to follow, but “Marathon” proves almost as effective, again benefiting from the jazzy/soul-infused production from Kenny Dope, as well as the guest appearance from singer/rapper duo, Floetry. Other gems on the album follow, namely “Try Again”. It’s a beautifully crafted tale of lost love, and one of the albums best showcasings for Devaughn’s songwriting.

Instead of settling for just making a few radio-friendly songs, or tracks to rock your body to in the clubs, Raheem DeVaughn aims to make every song on Love Behind The Melody a musical masterpiece, taking listeners on an epic and soulful journey. It’s an admirable effort for an artist who continues to evolve.

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