The Bottom Line
Rhonda Smith is one of those artists who's hard to categorize. This is great for her because that way she doesn't get pigeonholed or tied down to one particular genre of music.
But her eclecticism is also challenging to music critics and others who try to convey to the masses the particulars of her diverse range of music.
But this is the best description we can give for Smith's work: it's bluesy, funky, jazzy, pop-ish R&B. Or in other words, it's grown folks' music.
But her eclecticism is also challenging to music critics and others who try to convey to the masses the particulars of her diverse range of music.
But this is the best description we can give for Smith's work: it's bluesy, funky, jazzy, pop-ish R&B. Or in other words, it's grown folks' music.
Pros
- The musicianship is solid.
- The songs are substantive.
- It's entire album's eclectic.
Cons
- The album's hard to categorize.
- Smith's vocals aren't quite as strong as her musicianship.
Description
- Funky
- Jazzy
- Bluesy
Guide Review - Review: Rhonda Smith - 'RS2'
On her sophomore solo release, RS2, musician-singer-songwriter Rhonda Smith completely defies categorization, which makes sense, since she used to play in the band of Prince who himself is a wildly eclectic artist.
Smith kicks off RS2 with the bass-driven, funky-n-lusty "To Get With You," then shifts gears somewhat with "Lost Child," the percussion-driven tale of a emotionally-confused man making his way through life trying to mask his inner pain.
Among the other menu items on this musical smorgasbord are the funky-funky Sunshine;" "Always," a mid-tempo smooth jazz track featuring saxophonist Ron James; "Country Music," a down-home, southern Blues track sung by Smith and Marcus Waller; and "Gotta Believe," which would be right at home during Quiet Storm programming on many radio stations.
Before RS2 was released in September 2006, Smith had said the record tells a story, and that a conscious effort was made to assemble an album that people can listen to from top to bottom without having to hit the skip button. Well, she definitely succeeded in her goal; the album's consistent and quality of the songs doesn't vary from track to track.
But if there's one drawback, it's that Smith's a better musician than she is a singer. Not that her singing's subpar, but it's evident that she probably considers herself a musician first, thus the vocals take a back seat.
However, if you're a fan of modern-age Funk bass, mid-tempo R&B or laid-back grooves, you just might enjoy RS2.
Smith kicks off RS2 with the bass-driven, funky-n-lusty "To Get With You," then shifts gears somewhat with "Lost Child," the percussion-driven tale of a emotionally-confused man making his way through life trying to mask his inner pain.
Among the other menu items on this musical smorgasbord are the funky-funky Sunshine;" "Always," a mid-tempo smooth jazz track featuring saxophonist Ron James; "Country Music," a down-home, southern Blues track sung by Smith and Marcus Waller; and "Gotta Believe," which would be right at home during Quiet Storm programming on many radio stations.
Before RS2 was released in September 2006, Smith had said the record tells a story, and that a conscious effort was made to assemble an album that people can listen to from top to bottom without having to hit the skip button. Well, she definitely succeeded in her goal; the album's consistent and quality of the songs doesn't vary from track to track.
But if there's one drawback, it's that Smith's a better musician than she is a singer. Not that her singing's subpar, but it's evident that she probably considers herself a musician first, thus the vocals take a back seat.
However, if you're a fan of modern-age Funk bass, mid-tempo R&B or laid-back grooves, you just might enjoy RS2.