Raphael Saadiq
Raphael Saadiq, who has just been nominated for 3 prestigious Grammys, will release his much anticipated and acclaimed album ‘The Way I See It’ in the UK on March 2nd preceded by the single ‘Love That Girl’ on February 14th 2009.
Listening to Raphael, with his blend of old school 60s and 70s soul, you can imagine his songs being recorded 30 years ago with tracks that are as musically cohesive as soul music was, recorded back in the day. Raphael brings with him real emotion, real feeling and production values that are simply, right on.
Influenced by a range of musical greats such as Sam Cooke, The Temptations, The Four Tops and Al Green, Raphael’s third solo album, and first with Sony BMG, ‘The Way I See It’ is a masterful collection of new material that speaks to his love for rhythm and blues. Already on the ‘iTunes’ list for best album of the year, it showcases the rich diversity of funky grooves and smooth balladry that is Saadiq’s calling card and is most definitely a present day potent ode to a bygone era.
The first single from the album, ‘Love That Girl’, will be released on February 14th, to coincide with the romantic theme of the song. Raphael’s incredible voice sounds better than ever on this track with quite a Sam Cooke vibe throughout. It is a fun, upbeat track that starts with a cheeky guitar riff and leads into a very catchy, rhythmic chorus that you can’t help but sing along to.
Born and raised in Oakland, California, Raphael learned to play guitar, drums and bass at the age of six. Singing with a professional gospel group by the time he was nine, his musical education encompassed classical music, ‘40’s spirituals, hymns, jazz and, of course, R&B.
As the lead vocalist and bass player with Tony! Toni! Toné!, Raphael experienced his first taste of mega-success. After leaving the group he went on to create the supergroup Lucy Pearl (with En Vogue’s Dawn Robinson and A Tribe Called Quest’s Ali Shaheed Muhammed) and following that gained production credits for artists such as Macy Gray, TLC and The Roots along with a prestigious Grammy for the song ‘Untitled’ from D’Angelo’s ‘Voodoo’.
His much anticipated first solo album ‘Instant Vintage’ (released on his own Pookie Entertainment imprint) made history when Raphael became the first artist nominated for no less that five Grammy Awards without having a major record deal. He followed this with the live album ‘All Hits at the House of Blues’ and then with the critically acclaimed ‘Ray Ray’.
In demand as a producer, songwriter and musician, Raphael’s impressive list of credits include Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Anthony Hamilton, Kelis, Q-Tip and The Bee Gees to name a few. He was also the main producer and co-writer of seven songs for the ‘Introducing Joss Stone’ project; with Joss Stone also featuring on the track ‘Just One Kiss’ on ‘The Way I See It’.
Raphael performed two sold out shows at London’s Jazz Café last month and is set to come back to the UK for more shows early next year.