It’s the S-A-Double D-I-Q, and he
wants to get involved with you! Raphael Saadiq gained fame during his time with Tony! Toni! Tone! Since leaving the group, Raphael has gained little commercial success, but his music has gotten distinctively better. For that, Raphael Saadiq gets our Artist of the Week award.
This Oakland-born singer/songwriter recently released what I consider the best album of 2008. The Way I See It is a tribute to an era when music made you wanna dance and there were blue lights in the basement. The album is old-school, to say the least, but the album has an authentic sound to it. Many times, contemporary artists try to “re-create” an older sound and fall desperately short. Take Boyz II Men’s “A Journey through Hitsville USA“, which was a Motown tribute album. The album didn’t sound well, on the contrary The Way I See It has a 60’s soul sound.
There are a ton of excellent tracks, but the best song is “Calling”. The song starts off with a Spanish singer, and develops into a 1960’s ballad. This sound is 100% authentic soul. Other standout hits include “Just one Kiss” (With Joss Stone), “The Big Easy” ( a tribute to New Orleans) and “Oh Girl, Let’s Take A Walk”. Another hit is the last track “Sometimes” which is a tribute to Saadiq’s mother and grandmother.
With the influx of new R&B singers, Saadiq holds himself apart with his authentic sound. This sound was not created over night. This sound can be heard as far back as 1994 with Tony! Tone! Toni!’s album Sons of Soul and continued with “House of Blues“. When the band went their separate ways, Saadiq experimented with several different sounds. Songs like “Get Involved” and “Ask of You” are excellent tracks, but a strong departure from his current sound.
In 2002, Saadiq released his solo debut album, Instant Vintage and it received critical acclaim. The standout hit was “Still Ray”, which was an uptempo-funk filled track. This track even has a tuba solo, paying homage to his youth when he played in a band. The album featured collaborations with some heavy hittin’ artists like Angie Stone, D’Angelo, T-Boz (of TLC) and Calvin Richardson. The song “Be Here” was nominated for best R&B song of that year.
In 2004, Saadiq quietly released what I feel is his best album, Ray Ray. From the outset, this album is funky, filled with hard hittin’ bass lines and delicious lyrics. The production is far & away one of the best I’ve heard from beginning to end in any R&B album. Underground singer Joi leads off with the track “Ray Ray Theme”. The entire album is filled with catchy songs that are guaranteed to get your day going. He even collaborates with some of the members of Tony! Tone! Toni! on several tracks.
What I like about Saadiq is his lyrics. They are simple and to the point. He doesn’t mess around with lyrical undertones, he doesn’t push his own agenda through studio tricks. That is what makes the 50’s & 60’s music so good. You can listen to the simplicity and enjoy the music. This album can be played in your living or blaring through your car speakers. Saadiq revives music from a time that we all wished we were a part of; the time when music meant something and when life was slow and mellow.
Saadiq is a modern day genius! He is not afraid of being true to his sound. If you notice, I try to spotlight artists that always stay true to themselves, despite commercial success. Saadiq is one of those artists. His live shows also have a old school look to them. He is truly a showman! If you truly love funk/soul and R&B, then any Saadiq album will do the trick!
Top 5 Songs
1. Calling
2. Chic
3. Still Ray
Useful Links
I Want You Back (Michael Jackson Tribute)
KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic Acoustic Performance
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