Just like every other musical genre, R&B music is constantly evolving to keep up with modern-day pop culture. But for a category of music that was rooted in soul, raw talent, and most importantly genuine love ballads, the reconstruction of the sound with aims for mass-consumption has arguably weakened the art. Too often, pop artists blur the lines of categorization while more traditional R&B acts have been classified as Neo-Soul, thus putting them in a small box out of reach from the public eye.

One of those artists, Raheem DeVaughn, has shown in his brief career that having creative control over your product can equal quality. With one acclaimed album under his belt, R.D. shows his consistency on Love Behind The Melody with rich, full, versification that exhibits a level of maturity as well as entertainment.

Love Behind The Melody isn’t just a name for the sake of having a catchy album title. Behind the memorable rhythms of songs such as “Butterflies” lies sincere emotions revealing the strength of album. The lead single “Woman” with its relaxed harmony, rivals Angie Stone’s “Brotha” for most sophisticated groove dedicated to the opposite sex.

Equipped with silky-smooth vocals, Raheem DeVaughn aims to please in several areas rather effectively. The grown and sexy get a rug cutter in the funky Scott Storch produced “Energy”, while the power ballad “Mo Better” is more suitable for intimate slow dances. And the Floetry-assisted “Marathon” evoke thoughts of intense, sweaty-soaked, love making with a brilliant 3 part harmony that set the mood for the right occasion. The album’s replay value is elevated by the clever songwriting throughout, sans the sappy “Customer”, which plays like one of R. Kelly’s metaphorical pop tarts.

Conclusively this is R&B “au naturel,” free of artificial ingredients that water down numerous so-called R&B projects. Although there’s no future Billboard smash hits, the overall outcome still overshadows any negativity. Never straying from making sensual music with class, Love Behind The Melody showcases an artist’s ability to allow vocals and production to build off one another, ensuring a satisfying musical experience. It’s a “Four Letter Word”, and Raheem DeVaughn just incorporated it in his latest recording.