Day 19: Raphael Saadiq

Today's featured artist is probably as well known for his production work as he is for his performances. R&B Legend Raphael Saadiq, former lead singer of Tony! Toni! Toné!, has produced for a veritable who's who in the music industry including D'angelo's Untitled (How Does It Feel), which landed D'angelo a Grammy award. Saadiq, a bassist, is known to feature superb bass work on his tracks. A powerful player in the soul music movement, Saadiq recently turned the clocks back with his vintage album The Way I See It. With over 20 years of classics under his belt and no signs of slowing down anytime soon, Saadiq is certainly one to watch.

Song: Love That Girl
Artist: Raphael Saadiq
Album: The Way I See It (2008)

With good reason The Way I See It was chosen by iTunes as the best album of 2008, Love That Girl surely was a deciding factor in that decision. This song will grab you by the ear and pull you in like an angry grandmother. The first thing that will grab you is, what seems to be, the inverted bass line from The Temptations My Girl. Stevie Wonderesque drums will force your feet to tap to the beat, you simply have no choice but to obey. The lyrics are flawlessly vintage, and innocently portray a man's pursuit of a beautiful woman who has caught his eye. Love That Girl just FEELS good, it'll have your nose wide open.

Listen here

Lyrics here

Song: Thinking Of You
Artist: Tony! Toni! Toné!
Album: House Of Music (1996)

Smooth, smooth, smooth. The guitars and bass on this song are just outrageous. Thinking Of You is the kind of song that's so good it makes you just wanna punch an old lady in the face. Raphael has a way of building an atmosphere on every song he touches. Just like Love That Girl, Thinking Of You is just as much about the feel as it is the sound. Near the end Saadiq exclaims,

"You know sometimes I wanna call America's Most Wanted, 'cause you're most wanted in my life".

Priceless. Good luck ever getting this song out of your head, not that you'll want to.

Listen here

Song: Kelly Ray (iTunes Bonus track)
Artist: Raphael Saadiq
Album: The Way I See It (2008)

I find it hard to believe that anyone, especially any music fan, could not absolutely love The Way I See It. Kelly Ray is like finding a million dollars under your couch when you thought you were broke, like a crack fiend finding enough dope for just one last smoke, like being upgraded to first-class from coach. Raphael ties his skinny tie, dons his Al Green cap and pilots this track into groovy territories.

Listen here

For more Saadiq be sure to pick up The Way I See It, and Tony! Toni! Toné!'s House Of Music.