Times on test: Singer Rj Benjamin tries out hair gel

South African soul artist RJ Benjamin has been known to break women's hearts with his rich vocals and inspired lyrics.

In his latest release, House Bound, he ventures away from R&B, a style that has served him well, to house music with the intention of injecting some soul onto the country's dance floors.

House Bound will be RJ's third release. His debut album, Who I Am, was met with applause when it was released in 2004.

At the time, South African musicians were still struggling to define their own style, as opposed to mimicking American artists, Benjamin says. "I wanted to prove that South Africans can make their own brand of music." The album caught the attention of many of the country's top artists and Benjamin found himself in hot demand as a lyricist and producer.

His second album, Swimming in the Soul of Music, didn't disappoint his fans. On his website, he comments that the album reflected a growing sophistication in his style.

"I focused on my roots and influences as an artist, namely soul music," Benjamin says. "I kept the instrumentation simple, without losing the influences of soul, jazz and funk. In creating the music, I have been careful to make sure the listener is able to distinguish each and every instrument and part being presented."

His efforts haven't gone unnoticed by the music industry. In 2008, he was awarded a Metro FM award for best R&B album.

Last year, Benjamin had his biggest hit so far when he collaborated with House DJ Dr Duda. The song was recorded on the day he broke up with his girlfriend. He explains: "On the day we recorded that song, I had walked in on my girlfriend and another man.

I was hurt by the experience and just wanted to go home and drown my sorrows. I went into the studio completely dejected. I did just one take of the song and was out of there in about five minutes."

What came out of that five-minute recording was the hit song, Change the World. The song dominated music charts for months and was downloaded 100000 times.

The move to house music has not been supported by all his fans, however. Some, who have come to rely on Benjamin for their fix of soulful R&B, are perturbed by his latest venture and have made their opinion known via Facebook. Benjamin says: "I have received some e-mails from irate people. They say things like 'You better not do this' and 'You dare do this', and remove me as their friend."

What these irate fans do not realise is that, though the tempo of the song has become faster, RJ Benjamin is still singing from his soul. But, fans of Benjamin the soulful crooner, fear not. In his follow up to House Bound, titled Inside: The Soul Interpretations, he will release the soul versions of the tracks featured in House Bound.

RJ tries out hair gel to see if he can change his hairstyle to suit his venture into funkier music.

First, he tries Bakugan Hair Gel. "I enjoy the show on Cartoon Network," he says. "The fact that it is linked to a cartoon will get the kids wanting it. It just holds the hair, though."

Next, he tries Perfect Touch Firm Hold Gel and Clicks Wet Look Gel. "They are exactly the same. They both leave the hair wet and don't hold it."

On V05 Styling Gel, Benjamin says: "This is much better than the others. It actually held my hair up. Unfortunately, it didn't hold it up for very long because as soon as it got dry, the hold faded."

House Bound is in music stores now.