R’Mone Entonio - Unorthodox Soul, Part 1

R’Mone Entonio - Unorthodox Soul, Part 1

He has a rich, gravelly tenor, introspective lyrics and a unique grasp of harmony and vocal arranging that places him head and shoulders above many so-called 'singers' already on the charts and airwaves----to put it simply, R'mone Entonio is an independent artist with the style of a seasoned pro. He's a southerner with a relatable, yet sophisticated, approach to adult contemporary soul, one that listeners will find hard to resist once they delve into the EP that is Unorthodox Soul, Part 1.

Thanks to deft production (Daniel Hargrove, Doc Junya), R'mone's songwriting acumen and a vocal virtuosity that few of his peers can claim, Entonio blends his eclectic influences of jazz, contemporary and traditional soul into delectable song ditties that intrigue and impress. He applies a smooth Will Downing-esque approach to the airy, whimsical single, "Without You," assures the listener to leave their worries behind in the glistening, finger-snapping scat of "Free Your Mind" and displays emotional urgency in the mid-tempo make-up song, "Wait A Minute": "Let's get back to love again, all these problems I know we can mend/if we can try, but you can't holler at me (wait a minute), you can't curse at me. If you love me...."

Part of what makes Entonio so compelling is his ear for harmony and vocal interplay. "When I Find You" layers swaggering pleas across a throaty vow to find, and possess, his just-out-of-reach object of desire and "High" is an autotuned, glib and playful declaration of seizing the moment, so loosely performed that it feels like a freestyle yet containing all of the expertise that R'mone's training and finely-honed talents can muster: "I'm high, this song's about whatever you please I'm high/nothing real deep at all, I'm high......"

There are vocalists, there are performers, then there are some that transcend basic expectations and rise to the level of 'artist.'  Anthony David, Raheem DeVaughn and Anthony Hamilton once fit the category as underground artists who combined a loyal fanbase, musical mastery and sheer will into broader success and now another name -- R'mone Entonio -- is one that you can add to the narrow list. Unorthodox Soul is not just new music to enjoy: its existence signals the rise of a galvanizing musician and on-the-verge star. Highly Recommended.

By Melody Charles