Redray Frazier – The Real Thing – Single Review

Originally from Queens, New York, artist Redray Frazier grew up singing in his father’s Baptist church choir after moving to New Jersey. In the years since he’s made some significant inroads in the industry, opening for Lenny Kravitz and Ben Harper, along with joining Talking Heads lead singer David Byrne’s touring band.

“It feels good to be putting some new music out into the world. I went through different phases during the earlier part of the pandemic … eventually with some soul searching, came a breakthrough. There’s more to come.” – Redray Frazier

Now based in Portland, OR, Frazier released his first single Better Man on Greystone Music Group in 2020. This year, he’s back starting with his new single of 2022 titled The Real Thing. This noteworthy number is a great introduction to Frazier’s unique and soulful sound.

The Real Thing grabs listeners from the opening measure. The introductory guitar is bright, the percussion uncomplicated and a moment later when the vocals and full beat join in… you’re hooked! Frazier’s voice is tantalizingly smooth and rich, bringing warmth and authenticity to the track. There’s a clear soul/R&B base in the arrangement, but the earthy bass tones and appearance of the wah pedal bring a definitive funk element into the mix. It’s an addictive blend of style and tone.

While the instrumentation and performance might take a front seat in this single, the lyrics shouldn’t be overlooked – there’s some excellent pop-leaning songwriting here that makes this track all the more accessible to a wide modern audience. He takes what could be a simple love song and executes it with lyrical elegance:

“Then it came to me
Like a summer breeze
Her poetry
It spoke to me
Without ever uttering a word
Speaking volumes believe what ya heard”

This track has all the makings of a hit – it’s vibrant, it’s relatable, it’s musically exceptional. Fans of contemporary R&B that stretches beyond genre expectation into boundary-pushing artistry will thoroughly enjoy The Real Thing. With initial singles of such a high quality, Redray Frazier is no doubt a rising artist to keep an eye on – and we suspect it won’t take long for the rest of the music world to agree. Look for The Real Thing on your favorite streaming platform on 3/06/22.

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BELOW: Listen to The Real Thing and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Redray Frazier by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!