mixtape maestro (2.0)

It’s not fair that somebody like T-Pain could probably just sneeze on a track and it would be guaranteed a Platinum-selling download and heavy hitter at radio, while the far more deserving Raheem DeVaughn continually struggles to make a significant mark beyond his fanbase of critics, fellow artists and in-the-know soul-lovers. It’s enough to make you actually WANT to cue some Black Eyed Peas up just so you can scream “Where is the love?” at the top of your lungs.

Nevertheless, here’s something that should perk up more than a few ears and give this sadly still-underrated talent some major attention:

In a move that would’ve probably destroyed the career of a lesser crooner, DeVaughn bravely tackles and, a bit un-surprisingly (at least, to us), masters this dazzling remake of the Prince Purple Rain classic “I Would Die 4 U”.

Not only is DeVaughn’s (thankfully spoof-free) vocal performance killer, but the electric groove-handling of his backing musicians alone (love that hyperactive percussion underlining!!!!), makes us long for the days when R&B was ruled by the exciting twist-and-turn intricacies of REAL bands. By song’s end, even the hard-core atheist will be jumping out of their seats, engaged in the fiercest soul clap in reaction to the tune’s sudden detour into moving gospel extravagance. Yes, you read that right: GOSPEL DETOUR!!

DL: “I Would Die 4 U” (alt)

Of the sort who believe that R&B is dead? Well, that’s only because you’re not getting your soul fix from the right sources…real-deal sources like the Platinum Pied Pipers, the non-R. Kelly-affiliated (you can breathe a sigh of relief, now) teaming of Detroit musician/ production duo Waajeed and Saadiq.

After raising eyebrows and catching eardrums with one-off creations like their fuzzy, slow-funk recreation of Burt Bacharach’s classic “The Look of Love”, PPP unleashed something the soul junkie crowd were desperately in search of with the 2005 full-length Triple P, a core-soothing collection of wondrously crafted aural chocolate that drew heavy praise from various corners of the globe.

Preceding their recently released (and even more acclaimed) sophomore album, Abundance, PPP gave fans a belated Christmas gift with the outtakes and remixes-adorned Abundance Mixtape (which you can download for FREE HERE), highlighted by a revised treatment of their cover of Paul Simon’s oft-re-referenced ’76 No. 1 “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover”.

Current R&B fave Raheem DeVaughn fronts this stellar new version, his eased croon applying the perfect delicate touch to the Pipers’ cool Latin-jazz soundbed. Those not moved into a snapping frenzy by this tune’s breezy hi-hat sizzle and jammy synthesizer doodling need to check their pulse immediately.

DL: “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover (Paul Simon Cover)” (alt)