Raphael Saddiq The Way I See It on LP

Neo-Soul Singer's Latest Oozes Motown Grooves and Sophisticated Class

The cover of Raphael Saadiq's The Way I See It was shot while the singer was in the midst of performing a Marvin Gaye classic. Everything from the suit and tie to Saadiq's laser focus epitomize the music on his excellent third studio effort. Blessed with a smooth tenor and knack for romantic arrangements, the vocalist harkens back to the days of Motown and Stax, and approaches his songs with the same kind of sophistication, class, and sensitivity that is too often in short supply. Looking for a modern soul singer to get behind? Here's your man.

From the foot-tapping opener "Sure Hope You Mean It" to the reflective closer "Sometimes," Saadiq delivers a refreshing, present-day potent ode to a bygone era. Infused with R&B grooves, melodic lines, and emotive singing, the record is also carried by the presence of a water-tight band that includes an appearance by legendary Funk Brother Jack Ashford. Stevie Wonder, Joss Stone, and Jay-Z also stop by, but Saadiq gets by just fine on his own. Do yourself a favor and discover why the former Tony Toni Tone member's material is "instant vintage."

"This album is everything about me, more as a feeling than a lyric or a piece of music. When I listen back to something like 'Keep Marching,' it reminds me I've been marching up this ladder a long, long time. A song like 'Just One Kiss' could be about a girl, but I'm really talking about music and what it did for me. That one guitar line, that certain drum beat, how it turned my life into a ball of gold. This album is basically a series of love songs about music, how falling in love can be easy, but staying true to it can be tricky. You have to watch out for those curves. Trendy music comes out, and how do you stay true to what you love? I'm not saying everything has to sound like a '60s record to stay true, but you should never take the relationship lightly."
--Raphael Saadiq, talking to Greg Kot, March 6, 2009, Chicago Tribune

Raphael Saddiq The Way I See It Track Listing:

1.  Sure Hope You Mean It
2.  100 Yard Dash
3.  Keep Marchin'
4.  Big Easy featuring The Infamous Young Spodie and the Rebirth Brass Band
5.  Just One Kiss featuring Joss Stone
6.  Love That Girl
7.  Calling
8.  Staying In Love
9.  Oh Girl
10. Let's Take A Walk
11. Never Give You Up featuring Stevie Wonder and C.J.
12. Sometimes
13. Oh Girl (Remix featuring Jay-Z)