MUSIC NEWS: RAHSAAN PATTERSON NEW CD....

COURTESY: EURWEB Considered one of the pioneers of the neo-soul kick, Rahsaan Patterson has released his latest chapter of music, with a developed and even more eclectic sound.

Not only has the singer himself matured, but, in the grand tradition of true musicians, his music has grown as well. Patterson weaves through his favorite genres with new album "Wines & Spirits," offering up tracks that are as introspective as the project's title.

It's been a decade since audiences were introduced to the singer's treble-soul, and in those ten years, Patterson has learned about himself and the business, which is a particularly good path to creating some of the most sincere lyrics and moods of contemporary R&B.

"I'm still here because I still have work to do," Patterson said of his career. "I'm still inspired to be here. A lot of what the new album expresses is ... it takes you through the phase and period I went through where I wasn't inspired."

He described to EUR's Lee Bailey a period of time when he questioned his motivation of being a music artist and the music business in general. Fortunately for fans, and for music, Patterson said he found his "way back to the light."

"I guess it was a period of questioning life in general; needing answers from God on spiritual level," he said. "Having grown up in a religious family, I've always been connected to the Spirit. I have always found God easiest in music, but when I got to a certain point in the business, I didn't find God anymore, mostly because the root of it is about money and fame and notoriety. Spirit is not the focal point of the music business."

Like many creative artists before him, Patterson lamented that being in the industry, he hit a wall about the role of music in his life and begun to question his own role in the world. The singer/songwriter/producer dealt cordially with the harshness of the industry, his spirituality, and even death - he lost his father in 2000.

"[I was] dealing with death and growing and maturing and becoming an adult," he said of his time developing the sound of his latest offering. "You go through phases where you ask, 'Hey, what's really going on?' You're trying to figure out what your purpose is. Because I started doing this so young, I reached a point that I didn't know if I wasn't sure if I was doing it because I wanted to do it or if I was led on this path. Did I really want to do it? Did I enjoy doing it?"

Patterson explained that it was family and friends who kept him on track about his music. He said that they reminded him of his purpose and of the power he had in making music.

"To make music is a very powerful position. There is a responsibility that comes with that, and for a long while, I was trying to deny myself that responsibility."

Taking on that responsibility, Patterson presents "Wines & Spirits," which is sure to intoxicate music lovers of many passions.

"It's definitely more eclectic than the previous," he described. "This just kind of takes it a little further. With each album I do, I feel it's more progressive than the previous. I just feel like this one really brings it to the forefront."

Patterson said that the disc has a little rock, a little rap, a little ambient lounge vibe mixed with remnants of his neo-soul stylings. The first single, "Stop Breaking My Heart" was the #1 most added single at Urban AC radio when it hit the airwaves mid-August.

"It's like a gumbo," he continued. "There's some sausage, some crab, some chicken in there. There's crawfish in there, some rice, some okra. I can't really just pinpoint it. But if you decide to taste it, you will get all those flavors."

Considered an exceptional singer and songwriter, Patterson has been critically acclaimed, but understands that his brand of avant-garde tracks isn't always the most played at radio. One has to wonder if it's disheartening to him to see less talented "artists" get major airplay.

"It was never high on my list of concerns," he said of grumbling about the platform levels of other, perhaps less talented, artists. "I'm just here to do what I do. I don't compare myself to anyone else. When I was forced to deal with the reality of what the business is and that's what makes it turn - it was disheartening to me because I don't look at myself in comparison to what anybody else does. I don't take anything away from what anybody else does, whether I like it or not, I have respect for everybody and what they do. If it comes from their heart, that's great."

Patterson said that he's not going to wait for the day that he gets the recognition that everyone thinks he deserves, though. Nor has he ever been tempted to change his sound to fit the mold.

"I've always been the kind of artist that goes against the grain," he said. "I'm an artist that never likes to repeat myself. I'm an artist who likes to stay progressive and challenge myself as well as the listeners' ears. I make music because I want to make music. Whatever song I do, it's because I want to do that song. When you look at the performers that are out there, nine of them are all the same. Nine of them have the same song; nine of them all have the same weave, the same stylist. I've never really been one for that. My whole vision is to stand out as an artist."

For more on Rahsaan Patterson and his new disc, "Wines & Spirits," go to www.rahsaan.com.