Love Behind The Melody

"R&BHippie, Neo-soul, Rock Star" is a mouthful. Raheem DeVaughn is certainly fearless to give himself such a broad and all-encompassing moniker. I didn't make this up, he claims it all himself on the opening track of his new album, Love Behind The Melody. This is apparently "the new stuff he goes dancin' in," to quote Peter Gabriel. To quote Raheem DeVaughn, "Some people make music for a moment, I make music for a lifetime." While this set may not have that kind of staying power, it's not bad#.

Unlike Raheem's first record, his sophomore outing has a very hipster cover. 2005's The Love Experience had a Prince-like psychedelic art vibe. This is way more jazzy soul representing, and the music inside is funkier by half. Since the earlier album never made it out of the R&B genre charts, it's a good bet that DeVaughn is getting ready to ride the same horse in a different direction. With Scott Storch, Chucky Thompson and Kwame on board, Love Behind The Melody is unmistakably more mature and mainstream than what you've heard from the singer before. "Customer," sung from a waiter's point of view, illustrates why this might just work. Raheem DeVaughn has a supple and easy voice, and he knows how to use it to full advantage. When he scats gently through the complex verse, you realize that he might be a "kid star" who has finally grown into his potential.

The overall theme of this set is markedly different from what's out there on the R&B charts. With so many young singers singing about themselves (didn't anybody ever tell them that chicks don't really dig that?) it's a relief to hear somebody, anybody, show a little peace, love and understanding. In spite of the aggressive, prideful opening statement, Love Behind The Melody is a gentle, swaying, humble look at romance, not some self-glorifying adolescent dream. Good work! And it's not loaded with gratuitous cameo spots either. When Raheem features a guest star, he has like-minded soul singers like Floetry. Their scatting duet on "Marathon" is both dramatic and musical.

DeVaughn's father was a jazz cellist, and Raheem clearly has a strong musical background and solid musical instincts. This seems to have prevented him from floundering around, and sparked a rapid and tasteful evolution of his style. When he uses samples, like the Temps "My Girl," on a ripping dance track, he hits it in just the right spot. That little hitch in the groove is pure, classic, in-the-pocket soul. And, "I guess, you say, what can make me feel this way (wait for it) Friday!" actually works. It should be too cute, but it's incredibly stylish and innocent.

Raheem DeVaughn uses his D.C. heritage, and his musical pedigree to great advantage. He sounds real without sounding like a player. He's radio ready and authentic, no mean combination. He inherits a nice Lenny Kravitz thing, and blends in a Jill Scott back-room feel. This is a very cool and different record, and worth a listen, mostly because Raheem can sing so beautifully.

By Dave Morgan