The Love & War MasterPeace

I chose this CD based on the Amazon recommendation. I listened to the 30 seconds that are available for each song and liked it. When I got the CD and heard the whole thing, I was really impressed!! Raheem DeVaughn sounds a bit like Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield - there are a number of political/thought provoking songs, but he also does the soulful "slow jams" too. His lyrics are very clever and sometimes a bit risque, but that's okay, I'm grown.

All and All a great CD. The only song I wasn't thrilled with is the one with all the "special guests" (Jill Scott, et al). I liked the parts when Cornell West speaks, but after hearing it over and over, I just fast forward through those tracks.

When I want to hear R&B music, there are very few artists that I could listen to all the way through. Raheem DeVaughn would be in those "few." I like old school artists far more like The Isley Brothers, Staple Singers, Bill Withers, The Temptations, Chaka Khan, etc. But above all of those artists that I like is Marvin Gaye, and as long as I've been living, I've always felt Marvin Gaye was the epitome of what R&B should be. The rhythm to make us get up and dance and the blues to let us know what's on an artist's mind, good or bad. Marvin Gaye had the ability to both make women re-cross their legs and cross their arms (you know what I mean!) but then swing right into current events about war, poverty, drugs, crime, racism, etc. He was brilliant at being able to keep the music field level. I have not seen another artist be able to do that until Raheem DeVaughn came onto the scene with both "Bulletproof" and "Bedroom" (Leave. Your. Lip...stick. Print. All. Over. My. Body. Baby) pausing to let you know he meant business, I said, "That's it!" I can listen to this entire CD straight through minus that B.O.B. song, which I can't tell whether it's about a man or a vibrator. Either way, the name "Bob" just wasn't sexy enough. I couldn't get into that one, but I liked the rest. And to put Cornell West on this album was a smart move. Once again, he has the balance of Marvin Gaye. He's not at Marvin Gaye's status yet obviously, but at the rate he's going, he will be.

This young Man has a message in every verse, word, and song produced on all of his Albums that just touch my spirit deeply. Because he's Young, I thought it was going to be HIP HOP Music, but he's a Star Shining Brightly with a an OLD SOUL of Wisdom, and I consider him "A GIFT FROM GOD" that has a positive message for the younger & older generation.....Listen, don't Judge him from the outside, look deep to understand his message.

Great JOB.......and May God continue to Bless you RAHEEM!
L.O.L, Christine Shannon of Hartford, CT

"Bulletproof" gets about as close as Raheem can to Marvin Gaye and the question remains: Wouldn't you rather just listen to Marvin? Even What's Goin' On is not a touted masterpiece. However, MasterPeace lacks anything close to indelible classics like "What's Goin' On," "Mercy, Mercy, Me," or "Inner City Blues"--thanks James Jamerson. Despite such limitations the production is impressive but ultimately falls short compared to more contemporarily convincing albums such as D'Angelo's "Voodoo," Raphael Saadiq's "The Way I See it," Anthony Hamilton's "Comin' from Where I'm From" or even Van Hunt's first album.

I'm a very big fan or Raheem Devaughn and was not disappointed with this album in the least. It's been on repeat in my car, on my IPOD, at work, and any other place I can find the time to listen to it. Can't wait for the next album!

Oh...and if you enjoy a nice concert, go see him live!!!