Photo courtesy Phlenoid Dismuke Facebook page
(June 12, 2022) We are sad to report the death of Phlenoid “Jay Dee” Dismuke of the ultra-cool vocal quartet, Smooth Approach. The cause of his death is unknown.
A native of the Cleveland xburb of Ashtabula, Dismuke blended two lives: one as a med tech at the Cleveland Clinic (he received a chemistry degree from Kent State University), and one as ¼ of the hot Cleveland-based singing group, along with friends Jeffrey Roberson, Kerry Willis and Lawrence Harris.
Smooth Approach hit the scene with their eponymously titled album in 1996, featuring a cover of Switch’s “I Wanna Be Closer” and the regional hit “Never Enough.” Over the next decade they released a half dozen albums, best summarizing their oeuvre with the 2004 disc The Sensual Collection. They also became a regional favorite, often opening for major touring acts, and wowing crowds with their slick dance moves.
(June 12, 2022) We are sad to report the death of Phlenoid “Jay Dee” Dismuke of the ultra-cool vocal quartet, Smooth Approach. The cause of his death is unknown.
A native of the Cleveland xburb of Ashtabula, Dismuke blended two lives: one as a med tech at the Cleveland Clinic (he received a chemistry degree from Kent State University), and one as ¼ of the hot Cleveland-based singing group, along with friends Jeffrey Roberson, Kerry Willis and Lawrence Harris.
Smooth Approach hit the scene with their eponymously titled album in 1996, featuring a cover of Switch’s “I Wanna Be Closer” and the regional hit “Never Enough.” Over the next decade they released a half dozen albums, best summarizing their oeuvre with the 2004 disc The Sensual Collection. They also became a regional favorite, often opening for major touring acts, and wowing crowds with their slick dance moves.
We most recently heard Smooth Approach last year on the single “Switch Up,” with an accompanying video that featured Switch’s Greg Williams. They also scored a hit in 2021 with "Everybody Wants My Girl."
This is a sad day for soul music, and we will mourn with Smooth Approach's many fans.