Listening to Smithsoneon’s “Dimensions” EP, introduced to us by our friends at Hot 97, I sunk back into the days when Joe, Donell Jones and Case ruled the airwaves as the established R&B love song crooners.
Growing up in Pittsburgh, Tim “Smithsoneon†Smith was introduced to Jazz and Gospel at an early age. His father, a musician, passed down his love for music, encouraging Smithsoneon to play the drums. He mastered the art at a young age, playing in church and school jazz ensemble honors programs.
Smithsoneon began creating rap beats for his friends and dove into different genres including Neo-Soul, Pop and R&B. Once in college he began to fuse the key attributes of these musical styles to create his own signature sound.
The “Dimensions†EP is comprised of five songs. The lyrics are usually not-so-subtle cat calls or laments over a lady (think Bobby Valentino). When Smithsoneon experiments vocally, the range is sometimes a stretch. Luckily, he always seems to settle back into his comfortable, smooth legato. My personal favorite on the EP is “Let Yourself Go†featuring Sean “Crucial†Dias. The intro has a Take 6 type of harmony, and the groove is just right. On “Dimensions†Smithsoneon exhibits his skills as a producer, writer and singer with the help of Dias, Ryan Tedder, Gwenn Bunn and Jenee Miller.
As Smithsoneon continues to hone his skills and mature as a musician and performer, it’s clear he will grow into a substantial vocal range.
Check Smithsoneon’s site for his new EP, “Dimensions.†Sit back, relax, and reminisce on the love.
