Spins: Album reviews

Rahbi – Raw

Artist: Rahbi Title: Raw Live Label: Rahbimusic Genre: Soul/Experiemental Dripping with a souped up a synth anthem funk rock resonance, nu-soul connoisseur Rahbi unleashes a sound that’s part drag ball, part after-hour rave bash on the flamboyant tour de force Raw; a gospel groovy pop-rocker that vocalizes a guy unwavering in his decisions to live life to the fullest. Raw encompasses a rather difficult style in pop music. For starters, Rahbi talks about everything from mass conformity to the romantics. Rahbi creates an element reminiscent of a young Rick James, Cameo and Prince in this 24-hour party starter, kicking off the festivities with an introduction by the record’s emcee Clementine, recalling a night out at a cabaret. “He’s Here” featuring Madam CJ, introduces the music glamazon himself and warns listeners that they are in for the experience of a lifetime. Just after the introductions, Rahbi turns up the volume with “Bittersweet Sweet Dreams,” a re-visioning of the heavily recycled 80s Eurhythmics’ classic “Sweet Dreams.” With this song, Rahbi talks about the relationship between record companies and artists, and creativity or the lack there of in popular music. Rahbi does Lennox proud in his attempt at songwriting, addressing the issue on whether one should blame the record label or the consumer for the current disheartening zeitgeist in today’s music scene with lyrics like: “Turn on the TV/ What do I see? / Not one trace of creativity” and “Who is to blame consumers or the record stores/ if someone can’t cook should we really ask for more?” The album is rich, however, it’s not until its seventh track—“Edge of my life”—that the album finds a happy medium. Arguably the best track on the record, it enters with a familiar synth jive and is complemented by Rahbi’s jazz-lounge tenor. The song swings into full force into a 80s-style R&B high voltage hook. Backed with operatic falsetto balladry between singer and back up (a la Prince,) Rabhi shines light on his skills as a music arranger. The record is a great mess of songs over all. The 80s Rick James mash-up “Another chance/Give it to me baby,” the hidden track of “Darling Nikki” (no doubt, from Prince’s landmark 1984 “Purple Rain” album) and the album’s concert feel show that Rahbi is on the rise to be a critical success to those of contemporary radio upstarts. With more experience, Rahbi is sure to warp minds with his sure-fire creativity. Irregardless, Rahbi is a rock star. This is not the last we’ve heard of him. He’s too big to be cast in to the puddle of mediocrity seen in past pop-rockers. -    Marcus Scott www.myspace.com/rahbi Purchase at Itunes

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