Unseek Sound delivers a smooth R&B mix

Right in time for the start of Mardi Gras, Uneek Sound, a local Rhythm and Blues group from Thibodaux, will perform at Hill’s Lounge in Thibodaux on Feb. 3.

When asked about the name of the group, keyboardist John Robinson said the band is unique because it doesn’t try to put too much on a song. He said the band tries to stay true to the original track by keeping the soul and melody that everyone loves to hear.

“That’s what makes us so different from other bands, we have an appreciation of the new music as well as the old school R&B. We are not out there trying to remake the song, which takes away from the original flavor. We are classic R&B with a pinch of southern soul,” he said.

Robinson is one of the brightest talents in R&B locally. He started out on the road at age 19 with legendary blues man Clarence Carter. Since then, he has made a name for himself in places all over the U.S. like Atlanta.

A couple of years ago, when Robinson returned from Atlanta, he linked up musically with Leonard Queen, a local drummer-turned-bassist. This wasn’t usual for the pair; on several occasions the two have collaborated with one another. In fact, they have worked together on and off for the past 15 years.

At the initial start-up of the Uneek Sound, Queen was already a member of another band. But, Robinson approached him with the idea of starting the new band.

Uneek Sound was not born until the two childhood musicians found six other local musical talents that felt the same way about music as they did. “We got together to form a group that had a new sound and a new edge. Leonard already knew a lot of good singers in the area, so we approached them to see if they wanted to join,” he said.

Once, the members were selected the rest was history. Coming from strong musical background in rhythm and blues, it wasn’t long before the group was out in the nightclubs performing.

The members include Queen, Robinson, guitarist Gary Clements, drummer Bryon Ezel and, performing vocals, twin brothers Ronald and Donald Starks, Chandra Vicks and Belinda Robertson.

Robinson said just like the band’s name, each member brings their own unique sound and talent to the group.

“Take the tandem duo, Donald and Ronald Starks for example. Donald was born with a voice like legendary singers Sam Cooke and Mel Waiters, while his brother can be compared to blues great Bobby Blue Bland,” the keyboardist said.

Both men were raised in their local church choir. Ronald Starks is known for his amazing range and satin sound, while his brother is known around Thibodaux as “Mr. Excitement” because of his electrifying performances on stage.

And Clements was recently inducted into the local Musical Hall of Fame. The guitarist started out playing the trumpet and, once he mastered it, took up the guitar.

His talents are not just limited to instruments; he’s also quite the songwriter, according to Robinson. The multi-talented composer has written for some of the greatest artist in R&B history including Z.Z. Hill, Clarence Carter, Otis Redding and Joe Tex.

Uneek Sound has two original tracks that they are currently in the studio recording titled “Already Gone” and “Two for One.” The songs are a collaboration of the whole group.

But, the band is well known for its renditions of Sam Cooke’s “Born by the River,” Gladys Knight’s “Neither One of Us,” and Bobby Blue Bland’s “Members Only,” which caters to the voices of the singers.

In addition to the Hill’s Lounge gig, the band will be the featured as the musical guest for Thibodaux’s Krewe of Ghana Mardi Gras ball at the Nicholls State University ballroom on the Feb. 27.

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