A few years ago, I had the pleasure of writing about Manasseh, a Chicago psychedelic soul singer, and his EP, Variations V1: I’ll Be. I fell in love with Manasseh’s buttery gospel-influenced vocals and his ability to riff and ride up and down the scale, yielding the most satisfying balance of discipline and overwhelming freedom. When Manasseh sings, not a single note feels overly planned, yet not a single note falters away from being perfectly executed. At the time, Manasseh was starting a production company built off a strong appreciation for community and collaboration, and years later, his musical family seems to have strengthened ten-fold, illuminated by the multiple collaborators on his latest album.
Manasseh gifted the world with his second album, R&B[eyond], and I’m thrilled to report that the new project isn’t just a step in a bolder, more polished direction, but a leap towards an artistic career that demands our attention. As its name suggests, R&B[eyond] explores the boundaries of the genre, both in its sonic exploration and in the personal relationship Manasseh built with music. Since he grew up in a Baptist household, there was a sense of permission needed to expand into secular music, and all of the emotional and spiritual components of that journey float and linger throughout the album, leaving us with a sense of finality and fluidity by the last song: There is no finality without the opportunity for fluidity.
R&B[eyond] has such a Chicago sound, specifically in the unique percussion and groovy backdrops, so I wasn’t surprised to hear that one of the main producers, Renzell, also produced for Noname, Mick Jenkins, and Chance the Rapper. Whenever I hear drums reminiscent of keys dropping on a desk, I am brought back to my college days in 2016, hearing some of my favorite rappers like Saba and Mick Jenkins for the first time. While every tune on the album shares that undeniable Chicago sound, each song has its own flavor, and purposefully so, with nearly a dozen collaborators on the album and genre-blending at its finest, fusing R&B, jazz, hip-hop, psychedelic, and more.
Thoughtful vocal effects and layering give the album a psychedelic element that sets it apart from Manasseh’s previous work. Many of the songs open with nostalgic, ambient interludes that make us feel like we’re right there in Manasseh’s mind, enveloped in his experiences. In fact, one standout track for me is Feel Like. Manasseh’s rendition of the classic “Feel Like Makin’ Love” would wow anybody anywhere, but the washed-out effect that makes it feel like you’re listening at a distance actually grips listeners even more, allowing us to cling to the warm guitar and soothing, familiar melody.
Another favorite of mine is CBD (feat. Femdot). Femdot’s verse is one of many incredible and thought-provoking rap verses spread throughout the album. Some of Manasseh’s riffs in this tune remind me of Leon Thomas’ latest album, but the psychedelic reverb and background vocals make it unfair to relate him to anyone. The last track on the album, Me and Leftjones, is a jam session you’ll want to loop for as long as possible.
In the album artwork, young Manasseh smiles proudly, recalling feeling completely confident, seen, and handsome that day. R&B[eyond] isn’t only a gift to Manasseh’s fans, but a gift to the boy in that picture. It’s a love letter to Chicago, to expansiveness, and to the people who helped us and believed in us along the way.
