::ALBUM REVIEW::

Mainstream pop's bending into urban styles and cross-cultural terrain shows off the brilliant paradigm of America's melting pot society. This pretty much sums up the ingredients of Rocketown Records' latest signed artist Jake Smith. The New Orleans native breathes his hometown roots of jazz and soul into a refreshing mix of pop, rock and gospel-infused R&B. Real, a neat re-packaged effort of his 2006 independent project, places Smith under the music industry's microscope and is a careful attempt in showcasing a genuine musician with heart for artistic versatlity and lyrical expression. Smith pens all twelve of the album's tracks, while handling vocals and guitar work. The album is stamped with a catchy title; referencing the real-life experiences and choices of Smith's journey. While writing about relationships, dating, life's struggles, writer's bloc and family matters, Smith easily inserts a spiritual awareness and hints of God into the array. The concluding results is a sweeping and astonishing attempt for crossover pop-coated spiritual music.

"Get Up" opens up the collection with its rocking, radio-friendly acoustic arrangement attached to an enjoyable melody. The singer sneakily raps the third verse across sleek synths and organ sounds - later catapulting into an energetic hybrid of gospel and rock. The rapid and raucous energy of "This Is Certain" feels so much like Israel Houghton mixed with David Grey, but it's calming musical prelude, neat transitions and comforting words of solace (just right for the tough times) is a beautiful blend. "What I Plan To Do" is neo-soul guided and finds Smith's vocals bearing the kind of cool of a John Legend or John Mayer. It even transitions into zydeco territory towards the middle - showcasing his unconventional bravery to sneak in his hardcore musical roots into the lot. Smith creates the perfect pop-radio tune with "Breakdown" with its craftiness towards pop compositional guidelines. And while the mysterious lyrics have a colorful tendency to be translated on both sides of the love spectrum, the hope to live and to overcome life's obstacles points towards a brighter light as Smith reiterates "here's your song/don't wait too long." Smith, with his roots in jazzy pop, gets a little more eclectic while offering up different sounds and combinations - landing him even more versatile appeal. Southern soul and blues are glimmering effects used on "Real Love," while the very short-lived hip-hop vibes of "Can't Save Your Soul" - attached to a rocking funky rhythm - are ambient deliveries of musical craftiness. "Shady (Crazy)" is daunting for its forward illustrations on the hypocrisies and multiple personalities that many Christians struggle with. His answer to the solution is simple - "let's just tell the truth/Instead of doing what we all do which is lie" Attached to the in-your-face lyrics is Smith's cooing falsetto effects, breathy injections and a vocal that patterns with AI's Blake Lewis. Ballads like the uplifting "Run" and the R&B-tinged "These Things" are excellent additions to the disc and gives the album a worthy easy-listening experience.

In the halls of Contemporary Christian, Jake Smith's Real may land a healthy dose of listeners throughout their vast world of listeners, but his style is so universally appealing across the boards; complimenting the vocal and musical styles of John Mayer, Justin Timberlake, Coldplay and John Legend. There's not a lot of bold topics usually addressed in conventional gospel on Real (somewhat of an alarming turnoff for gospel audiences), but gospel's elements - including R&B, jazz and soul - are documented well into Smith's artistic display. Even with all of its versatile edges, it's not that hard to market a record like this. It's simply an enjoyable and refreshing pop record that any sharp music collector would enjoy.