Raphael Saadiq Albums (4)
What The Critics Say
When Raphael Saadiq, along with his partners in Tony! Toni! Toné!, wrote and recorded songs like "It Never Rains in Southern California" and "Whatever You Want," he earned himself a lifetime "Do Whatever You Want" card. One could disregard his third solo studio album for being the equivalent of a Civil War reenactment, sounding much more like "instant vintage" R&B than 2002's Instant Vintage. If you want to listen to some '60s and early-'70s soul, play some soul that came out in the '60s and early '70s, right? Save for an intrusive Jay-Z appearance on a bonus version of "Oh Girl," however, this time warp never loosens its grip, unless you cannot help but position the protagonist in "Big Easy" -- where Saadiq nails a classic tactic exemplified by the likes of Holland-Dozier-Holland, matching bliss-inducing music with saddening lyrics -- squarely within 2005 New Orleans. ("They say them levees broke, and my baby's gone.") Saadiq, with the occasional assist, wrote each song, and they're all graced with the songwriting, arranging, and production touches of the recordings the man evidently cherishes and knows inside out. Here's where a modern master, backed by living and breathing session musicians (including Funk Brother Jack Ashford), masters the masters with startling accuracy. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Ray Ray looks more like a concept album -- about a Blaxploitation hero -- than it sounds like one. It's another ambitious release from Raphael Saadiq, who has continued to be very active as a musician, producer, and songwriter for other artists. Though he has given plenty of his ideas to like-minded artists like Jill Scott, Kelis, Truth Hurts, Mos Def, Amp Fiddler, and Teedra Moses (who guests on two songs here), his creative well seems to be pretty much bottomless. Ray Ray occasionally loses focus, slipping into moments that are either undercooked or worthy of the cutting room, but it's enjoyable enough to keep his followers happy and will certainly act as a remedy for those who don't like the gold-bricked path being taken by mainstream R&B. The album is a little funkier and a lot more energetic than 2002's Instant Vintage, yet just as full of Saadiq's stylish flourishes. The subject matter is as varied as you'd expect: for every song that's charmingly simple and full of lighthearted romantic sentiments, there's something message-oriented, such as "Grown Folks" (in which Saadiq tries on Curtis Mayfield's falsetto and songwriting style, proclaiming that the adults "need more help than the children do"). ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
No one can fault punters for being suspicious of hip-hop and nu soul live records; they've been ripped off too many times by technology -- leaving records sounding worse than carefully edited '70s rock albums. Singer/songwriter/producer Raphael Saadiq, formerly of Tony! Toni! Toné!, set some new standards in 2002 with his solo debut, Instant Vintage, in both songwriting and production standards, and this live date ups the ante as well. Over two CDs, Saadiq, a basic funk band with DJs, and some truly special guests tear up the House of Blues with a mix of old, new, tried, and true funky, punky nu soul jams. Offering a view of his entire 20-year career in the music biz, Saadiq kicks it solo (check the shivers he sends down your spine with "Ask of You") and with his old partners in Tony! Toni! Toné! for a seven-song mini-set. This isn't merely nostalgia, but displays the evolutionary process from the possibilities suggested by new jack swing as they evolved in Saadiq's musical iconography into his beautifully articulated brand of 21st century soul. Devin the Dude guests on "Just a Man" and Joi on "Copy Cat" and "Missing You," DJ Quick slips in for "Let's Get Down" (and Tony! Toni! Toné! is an added treat), Ledisi and Goapele are featured on "Different Times," and on the encore D'Angelo brings his tough, trouble man street soul to "Be Here." The happening thing about the guest performances is they actually add significantly to the show aspect of this as it plays on your CD player. This set grooves from start to finish with the honest, sensual, slippery funk that is nu soul's hope for the future. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
After more than 20 years in the music business, Tony! Toni! Toné! founder Raphael Saadiq has gotten around to offering his solo debut, Instant Vintage. The apropos title reflects the old-school style that Saadiq has adopted for the album. However, he dubs the type of music -- a mix of samples, soul, gospel, and R&B -- "gospedelic." Saadiq has called upon some of neo-soul's most popular artists to help out on Instant Vintage. Angie Stone makes an appearance on the opening dancefloor-worthy track, "Doing What I Can," which briefly tells the story of Saadiq's career. D'Angelo lends a hand on the funkified "Be Here." Traces of 3T seep into Instant Vintage. Lush orchestration, hook-laden, danceable melodies, and gospel influences are evident throughout the recording. This album should be renamed "Instant Classic." ~ Christina Fuoco, All Music Guide
