Smooth Approach

Smooth Approach, a Cleveland-based quartet, blends harmonious vocals and fervent lead singing with polished choreography and fluid movements that echo the Temptations. The group consists of Jeffrey "Jeff Tight" Roberson, Kerry Willis, Phlanoid "Jay Dee" Dismuke, and Lawrence "Big L" Harris. Their debut album, the self-titled Smooth Approach, appeared in 1996 through Executive Hits Records and contained nine tracks, among them the single "Never Enough" alongside a refreshed rendition of Switch’s “I Wanna Be Closer.” The following year they issued the cassette Push ’Em Up, which presented five renditions of the title song plus the additional cuts “Never Enough” and “Don’t Worry.”

The quartet has served as opening act for 702, the O’Jays, MC Lyte, K Ci & Jo Jo, Zhane, and Ginuwine. Their stage résumé includes a performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Music Hall bill shared with Men at Large, the Rappers Ball in Akron, a Dayton concert alongside the Rude Boys, and engagements at Club Flava and Cafe Echelon in Atlanta, among numerous other venues.

Roberson brings the widest prior experience: at nine he drummed for his older brothers’ ensemble Cash, whose initial public appearance headlined Al Hudson and One Way. That group’s roster comprised twins Dennis and Danny Roberson together with Jimmy Fleming, and it released the singles “I Love You Still” on Greedy Records plus “Hot Thing” and “I Wanna Be Loved By You” on the Casbar label. Roberson completed his studies at John Adams High School and later at Ohio University, where he majored in sports science and minored in music and fine arts; he belongs to Phi Beta Sigma.

Willis finished Warrensville Heights High School before serving four years in the Marines. As a youngster he performed with the Hula Boy troupe, which captured multiple local dance competitions, and he presently works in communications for Ameritech. Dismuke hails from Ashtabula, Ohio, roughly sixty miles east of Cleveland; he earned diplomas from St. Johns Catholic High School and Kent State University in chemistry and medical technology, holds membership in Kappa Alpha Si, and serves as a medical technologist at Cleveland Clinic.

Harris originates from Jefferson, Ohio, where he graduated from Jefferson High before attending Heidelberg College in Tiffin to major in vocal performance. He traveled nationwide with the Acapella Choir and continues to sing with the All-Country Choir in Ashtabula. Music runs in the family: his sisters perform as the Harris Sisters and his brother is James.