ChristianMusicDaily

New Orleans native Jake Smith has weathered many storms in his life, from Hurricane Katrina to several close relatives battling cancer—and winning. The young singer-songwriter offers his take on pressing on in life with his new CD, “Real.”

Employing a bit of a jazzy, funky feel, “Real” stands out from the typical Nashville-produced Christian music CDs saturating the market. When you discover “Real,” you’ll feel like you just went to a cool coffeehouse and saw an artist who is true to himself and seems like a guy who girls want to date and guys want to be like.

Smith has a sense of style that rivals tobyMac, looking every part the music artist without trying hard to impress. His music is as cool as his style, combining driving drums and a pounding piano on songs like “This Is Certain.”

If you like Justin Timberlake or Jason Mraz, check out “Can’t Save Your Soul,” a rap-funk romp that’ll have you shaking your shoulders and dancing along to the beat.

“Real” has songs that have good melodies as well as good grooves. Smith’s influences range from the classic sound of Ray Charles to the British alt-rock band Bush, and he brings together well the elements of both soul and rock on “Real.”