Way I See It (2008)
| Artist: Raphael Saadiq |
| Format: | CD |
Product Details:
Song Listing
| In 2003, Raphael Saadiq released the live CD, All Hits at the House of Blues following it in 2004 with Ray Ray. In demand as a producer, songwriter and musician, Raphael's impressive list of credits includes Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Anthony Hamilton, Devin the Dude, Kelis, Q-Tip, Lil' Skeeter, Ludacris, The Bee Gees, Nappy Roots, T-Boz from TLC, Young Bellz, Earth, Wind & Fire and many others: in 2006, he was the main producer and co-writer of seven songs for the Introducing Joss Stone project. Now comes The Way I See It, a masterful collection of new material that speaks to Raphael Saadiq's deep love for rhythm and blues. "While I was making the album, I watched videos by Gladys Knight & The Pips, Al Green, The Four Tops...and fused them all together," Raphael says speaking of the further inspiration he found for creating the album, which truly showcases the rich diversity of funky grooves and smooth balladry that is Saadiq's calling card. |
Album Notes and Credits
Notes & Personnel Info |
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Personnel: Raphael Saadiq (vocals, guitar, sitar, piano, bass guitar, drums); Charles "CJ" Hilton, Jr. (vocals, piano, drums, bongos); Joss Stone (vocals); Paul Baker , Maurice Draughn, Paul Baker (harp); Assa Drori, Al Hershberger, Roc¡o Marron, Joe Ketendjian, Anatoly Rosinsky, Johana Krejci, Raphael Price, Marla Smith, Daniel Stachyra, Melody Wootton, Kyoko Kashiwagi, Constance Markwick, Sally Berman, Elizabeth Rowin, Robert Brosseau, Molly Hughes, Elizabeth Wilson, Andrew Wu, Agnes Gottschewski, Armen Garabedian (violin); Jerry Epstein, Raymond Tischer, Shanda Lowery, Lynn Grants, Karolina Naziemiec, Jody Robin, Leah Lucas, John Madison, Scott Stefanko, Robert Berg (viola); Maurice Grants, Christina Soule, Judith VanderWeg, Vahe Jayrikyan, Miguel Martinez, Robert Reed (cello); Stevie Wonder (harmonica); Greg Curtis (piano, organ, Wurlitzer organ); Jack Ashford (vibraphone, shaker, tambourine, bells); Bobby Ozuna (drums, bongos, shaker, tambourine); Gerry Brown . |
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Audio Mixers: Charles "Biscuits" Brungardt; Raphael Saadiq. |
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Recording information: Blakeslee Recording Company, North Hollywood, CA; Harmonie Park Studios, Detroit, MI; The Music Shed Studios, New Orleans, LA. |
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Photographer: Norman Seeff. |
Producer: Bobby Ozuna; Raphael Saadiq; Raphael Saadiq |
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Engineer: Charles Brungardt; James Tanksley; Raphael Saadiq; Charles Brungardt; Gerry Brown; Raphael Saadiq |
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Musical Guests | |
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Joss Stone |
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CJ Hilton |
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Stevie Wonder |
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Jay-Z |
Compilation Appearances
Associated Artists and Works
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D'Angelo |
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Moses, Teedra |
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Q-Tip |
Technical Info
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Release Date : 11/24/2008 |
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Original Release Date : 2008 |
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Catalog ID : 88697085852 |
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Label : Columbia (USA) |
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Number of Discs : 1 |
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Studio/Live : Studio |
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Mono/Stereo : Stereo |
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SPAR Code : n/a |
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UPC : 00886970858526 |
Professional Reviews
- 4 stars out of 5 -- "With a supple tenor that glides up easily into Smokey Robinson territory....[He] has crafted a filler-free album that evokes classic Northern soul..."
- Ranked #48 in Rolling Stone's 50 Best Albums Of 2008 -- "A tribute to classic soul that saves some golden-era magic for the next generation."
- "Backed by a galvanizing ensemble of musicians that would make the Funk Brothers proud, Saadiq belts out effervescent love songs with infectious vigor."
(p.129)
- "This time out, Raphael Saadiq doesn't quell his hip-hop jones; instead, he offers a harmonious alternative to rap's current mode, with rich instrumentation and a vintage '60s sound."
(p.110)
- 3 stars out of 5 -- "'Love That Girl' is a dead ringer for Sam Cooke, while The Temptations, The Four Tops and Al Green are all clearly audible elsewhere."
(p.110)
- 3 stars out of 5 -- "[A] set that pays homage to '60s soul. Such has been his diligence in recreating the sound of antique Detroit, Chicago and Philly records that all 12 tracks sound as though they could have been recorded 45 years ago."
(p.80)
- 4 stars out of 5 -- "Saadiq is a romantic who stays true to the deliberate simplicity of such titles as 'Sure Hope You Mean It' and 'Just One Kiss'....His adaptable baritone is always crisp and cocky..."
Bio
Raphael SaadiqHe is a standard bearer for what folks call 'old school' music, a contemporary artist continuing a time-honored tradition that goes back to the '60s and '70s. From his early days as a member of the groundbreaking '80s group Tony! Toni! Tone! through his work as an award-winning producer of such artists as Joss Stone, The Roots, Snoop Dogg, John Legend among many others and his own solo albums, the multi-talented Raphael Saadiq has kept the faith. "Every record I've ever made has had those influences...The Temptations, Al Green, The Four Tops and so on," Raphael explains from the L.A. studio where he recorded his latest illustrious work. This album is the culmination of a life time of experiences informed by the music i grew up on."
Indeed. Listening to The Way I See It, it's immediately obvious that it could have been recorded thirty years ago. Musically cohesive in the same way that soul music albums were recorded back in the day, Raphael's third solo album and first for Sony BMG is not merely a throwback: it is as close to the kind of record made in Detroit, Chicago, Memphis, Miami or New York by any number of super R&B hit makers to anything recorded since. While other contemporary artists may attempt to emulate the sound and flavor of '70s soul music, Raphael Saadiq brings real emotion, real feeling and production values that are simply (to borrow a popular phrase from back then), right on.
