Each of these albums (or songs) from the past ten years, I can listen to right now and be satisfied. Here’s why... »»
Raheem DeVaughn – Love Behind the Melody
Jive Records (01/15/08)
R&B / Neo-Soul
It's really hard to get a handle on the Grammy-nominated talents of the self-professed "R&B hippie neo-soul rockstar", Raheem DeVaughn. Love Behind the Melody is actually his second release, coming about 2½ years after his debut effort, The Love Experience. DeVaughn has worked with some of the most respected talents in the industry and, despite moving a respectable 250,000 units of his first album, this is something of a re-introduction to the masses.
"Woman" is the first single and it's a positive, radio-friendly ode to all the broads out there. The problem with it—and many of the songs here—is that it's a little simplistic, lyrically. Think of it as a decidedly 2008 take on the rudimentary wordplay from two or three soul generations ago.
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