OneGunn is the moniker Marvin Gunn has adopted in recent years performing and releasing new material. His new single “Why” adopts what OneGunn has dubbed “the Minneapolis Experience”, nothing more really than a vibrant mix of the same soul, R&B, rock, funk, and pop influences fueling his music since the 1980s. He first emerged early that decade with the group Mazarati and frequently collaborated with Prince and other Paisley Park-related artists over the course of the decade. His work of the time likely peaked, by any estimation, with original lead vocal and later collaboration with Prince on the latter’s chart smash “Kiss”. He snagged a Grammy for those efforts.
He landed songs on major motion picture soundtracks, however, and enjoyed several notable successes along the way. The 1990s opened with the same sort of peak rewards when he scored another appearance on a pop smash when Paula Abdul’s “Opposites Attract” busted out and claimed the top spot on the charts. OneGunn’s career has been sustained by moments such as this and a dedicated work ethic that keeps him moving and creating even when the final product doesn’t register the commercial successes he perhaps hoped for, It isn’t about the money, even when he’s making it.
It’s about the music and you hear that during “Why”. His vocal is full of yearning, desire, playfulness, brio, and never lacks energy. The backing vocals he’s added to the performance enhance the overall package because he handles them in just the right way and never allows them to overshadow his lead performance. Groove, unsurprisingly, is an important part of what makes this song work and OneGunn;s ability to win over listeners. He’ll do that, for sure. It is easy to imagine that, with the proper promotion, a lot of people will remember OneGunn from his past successes and when they hear this track, they will be following his career once again.
It is difficult imagining anyone rejecting or finding fault with the song’s drum sound. It’s one of the best drum sounds you’ve likely heard captured on a major recording in the last couple of years, there are few better at least and that’s damn sure, but it sets a tone for the track that you won’t forget. You can hear OneGunn riding that beat, finding the song’s groove early on, and he doesn’t let go until it’s over.
You’ll want to hear this song again. It has the effervescent musical appeal listeners enjoy with repeated listeners because it has a hot line straight to engaging listeners on a physical level. The tempo, the beat, and that inexorable snare, in some ways, are all the hook this song needs. OneGunn’s “Why” is as fine of an example of modern neo-soul you’ll find and it’s the little added touches such as the piano bobbing in and out of the mix that helps give the track extra oomph that buries it deep in your memory. He’s really scored with a winner here that’s going to travel far and wide.
Chadwick Easton