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Jubilee Offer: Patriotic Classics for £2.50 |
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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. Sure Hope You Mean It |
| 2. 100 Yard Dash |
| 3. Keep Marchin' |
| 4. Big Easy |
| 5. Just One Kiss |
| 6. Love That Girl |
| 7. Calling |
| 8. Staying In Love |
| 9. Oh Girl |
| 10. Let's Take A Walk |
| 11. Never Give You Up |
| 12. Sometimes |
| 13. Oh Girl |
| 14. Big Easy |
| 15. Come On Home |
Product Description
Review
Raphael Saadiq, the multi-talented R 'n' B singer/instrumentalist/producer behind Tony! Toni! Toné! and Lucy Pearl has with his fourth solo album, made a classic. Or rather, The Way I See It, an expertly constructed collection of soul pop, 'sounds' like a classic. Its cleverly (some might say, cynically) assembled pastiches of 60s and early 70s soul legends' greatest moments is a bouncy, varied feast that's undeniably irresistible. But does it really compare with what it emulates?
There's absolutely no denying the former Charlie Ray Wiggins's skill here. He's really studied his source material (ie: classic Motown and Philly soul). Avoiding any references to the 'Winehouse/Duffy/Ronson effect' (the seemingly unending slew of slavish soul reconstructions that pass for pop these days) is hard. But to be fair there's a very big musical brain at work here; playing most of the instruments, writing most of the material and really capturing the sound of Detroit in an uncanny manner,even down to the electric sitar on Oh Girl.
From its faux 60s cover to the fact that you spend virtually every second while listening spotting the references (Sure Hope You Mean It = How Sweet It Is etc) there's an equal case for wondering what purpose there is in photocopying one of pop's greatest periods. Maybe the clue's in the cover images of Saadiq in sharp 60s suit and tie, complete with Malcolm X glasses. It's hard not to see such a coagulation of America's most recent great political and cultural shift as a reflection of our own times. In other words, what we're listening to may well be the first true post-Obama expression of hope in record form.
The album's real virtues lie in its variety. Saadiq handles blues bump 'n grind of the Marvin Gaye variety and righteous civil rights/gospel work outs on the heartfelt Big Easy. This lament for the wake of Hurricane Katriona appears in two versions. One horn-blasted, the other, a stripped back clap-fest. The only egregious slip is in the usual 'guest star' treadmill. Jay-Z's 'turn' on the second mix of Oh Girl is unbelievably lame, though Joss Stone's contribution to the Stylistics-styled Just One Kiss sees her taking her blue-eyed soul into Janis Joplin territory. No bad thing. Mind you introducing Stevie Wonder's harmonica solo halfway through Never Give You Up reeks nastily of egotism. Surely it speaks for itself?
Overall, Saadiq's voice, combined with songs that would lift any party, saves the day. Perhaps The Way I see it should be treated as a long lost Northern Soul rarity and we should pretend that it really was made 40 years ago. No matter, it's classy, sleek and it sure beats listening to the sound of black America telling you how many guns, girls and bits of jewelry it's got. That's hope enough... --Chris Jones
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CD Description
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, The Way I See It is a masterful collection of new material that speaks to his love for rhythm and blues. 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.
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 made history when Raphael became the first artist nominated for no less than 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.
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 made history when Raphael became the first artist nominated for no less than 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.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When the music industry is desperatly trying to manufacture a plethory of Winehouse-esque retro soul/pop music and generally failing; we find a genuine album created out of true love and understanding of the musical genre.
Everything about this album has been planned and executed perfectly from the album cover, the length of the album/tracks-you could buy it on vinyl and relish its delicate black grooves as the stylus vibrates in aural delight which is something I did many years ago to Motown records.
I agree this is one of the best albums of the year and the best track is the one that features a fine performance from Josh Stone (Just One Kiss)who has unfortunately been crucufied in the UK music press over the last few years.No wonder she has deserted her home country!Saadiq and her deserved a christmas number one but sadly this music no longer reaches mainstream playlists which is a great shame.
Buy this album it will make you smile if you have any appreciation of sixties/seventes soul/pop!
Everything about this album has been planned and executed perfectly from the album cover, the length of the album/tracks-you could buy it on vinyl and relish its delicate black grooves as the stylus vibrates in aural delight which is something I did many years ago to Motown records.
I agree this is one of the best albums of the year and the best track is the one that features a fine performance from Josh Stone (Just One Kiss)who has unfortunately been crucufied in the UK music press over the last few years.No wonder she has deserted her home country!Saadiq and her deserved a christmas number one but sadly this music no longer reaches mainstream playlists which is a great shame.
Buy this album it will make you smile if you have any appreciation of sixties/seventes soul/pop!
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
In 'The Way I See It' Raphael Saadiq goes back to the Motown era - except, unlike other artists who have covered existing material, Saadiq has written 12 ORIGINAL tracks inspired by the era - complete with the vinyl-limited track lengths of the period (which is why the album is short). The result is a stunning, live instrument-driven album that pops with echoes of Curtis Mayfield (Love That Girl), Smokey Robinson (Just One Kiss), Stevie Wonder (Let's Take a Walk) and the Temptations. Some of the stand-out tracks on the album are 'Never Give You Up', which (even in the title) has echoes of Marvin Gaye and features a lovely harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder and 'Sometimes', which actually reminds me of some of the work Ali Tennant did on his album Bitter Honey, which bristles with Al Green's edgy soul. The version of 'Oh Girl' featuring a rap by Jay-Z is totally unnecessary, but it won't stop me from giving 'The Way I See It' five funky stars!
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Big statement BUT.....
This is an album of exceptional quality.
The album is an appropiate length, not too long and too short.
Considering it's a rectro feel album this has the great mix of milleninums new music and the old sound of 60's Motown, Doo wop, Sam Cooke and others all wrapped up into this.
In my opinion this album is better then Amy Winehouses Back to Black, it won't sell the units, but this album is heartfelt and Raphael Saadiq has nailed the feel, and essence of this music.
It is not contrived either, which for along time alot of music trying to replicate this has become i.e Duffy.
If you are into Motown msuic or soul as a general genre, i would highly recommend this album as their is not a weak song on it.
Apart from the unneccessary feat on 'Oh Girl' with Jay Z as a bonus track sorry this was not needed.
If only other artists such as Beyonce, Mary J Blige, worked with Raphael to make their albums better, and Raphael in my opinion redeemed himself as a producer and musician after Joss Stones last flop of an album.
The duet on here is a delight in itself, Just a Kiss.
Buy this album you will not be disappointed, it is worth every penny.
This is an album of exceptional quality.
The album is an appropiate length, not too long and too short.
Considering it's a rectro feel album this has the great mix of milleninums new music and the old sound of 60's Motown, Doo wop, Sam Cooke and others all wrapped up into this.
In my opinion this album is better then Amy Winehouses Back to Black, it won't sell the units, but this album is heartfelt and Raphael Saadiq has nailed the feel, and essence of this music.
It is not contrived either, which for along time alot of music trying to replicate this has become i.e Duffy.
If you are into Motown msuic or soul as a general genre, i would highly recommend this album as their is not a weak song on it.
Apart from the unneccessary feat on 'Oh Girl' with Jay Z as a bonus track sorry this was not needed.
If only other artists such as Beyonce, Mary J Blige, worked with Raphael to make their albums better, and Raphael in my opinion redeemed himself as a producer and musician after Joss Stones last flop of an album.
The duet on here is a delight in itself, Just a Kiss.
Buy this album you will not be disappointed, it is worth every penny.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Well 1 star is The Way I See It
Just like Songbird uk, this was a real disappointment. No matter how talented and how good the songs are I can't get past the utterly abysmal production values on this CD - there... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Paul
Modern motown
I saw Raphael Saadiq on the Jools Holland show and I wasn't disappointed with this album. If you love Motown, you'll enjoy the tracks on this CD.
Published 7 months ago by Ms Jacotine
Rock on
Product received from Rise-Music Bristol, slight error to start with, but speedy response sorted this, very happy with service and product.
Published 12 months ago by Parsnipface
Brillaint :)
Love it! It's great music and really Like it, Bought it for my dad And he is one happy Bunny! Great packaging Brilliant Price And Fast Delivery!
Published 14 months ago by VictoriaDaw
Faulty CD
The CD was faulty and could not be played.
It is amazing that the record label does not have better quality assurance.
Do not buy it!
It is amazing that the record label does not have better quality assurance.
Do not buy it!
Published 18 months ago by Per
Skip past the turkeys
Superb new soul that sounds like it could have been written and recorded 45 years ago. Most it anyway... Read more
Published 23 months ago by L. Harris
Captain Fantastic
Not a bad track on the album, can't pigeon hole the bloke, heard a mix of influences, detroit, the windy c, memphis. Great to hear a singer with soul, singing soul. Read more
Published on 6 Dec 2009 by Mr. Peter Foley
Disappointed !!!
What a let down ! I bought this album on the strength of the track with Stevie Wonder but I think the whole technical budget must have been used up on that one song. Read more
Published on 7 Sep 2009 by Songbird uk
What A Great Album
I would really recommend this album - it is fantastic. Great one for summer BBQ's if we get a summer this year!
Published on 12 Aug 2009 by A. J. Booth
Top class
Saw this chap on Jools Holland and bought the album. Not quite soul from the sixties but close. Different enough however to make this a really worthwhile album. Read more
Published on 7 July 2009 by Mr. Alan Willis
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