The Way I See It

Performer: Raphael Saadiq
Artist: The Infamous Young Spodie; Rebirth Brass Band; Joss Stone; Stevie Wonder; CJ; Jay-Z
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Former Tony! Toni! Tone! member Raphael Saadiq proved he could push his sound in new and intriguing ways on solo albums like INSTANT VINTAGE, mixing in soul, gospel, and contemporary flourishes. Saadiq plants his foot more firmly in the past on 2008's THE WAY I SEE IT, offering up a set that recalls the classic sound of Motown and other Northern soul from the 1960s. Melody and groove are paramount on these songs, making each a little soul-pop nugget complete with old-school arrangements (it sounds as though Motown's the Funk Brothers are backing Saadiq throughout). In addition to excellent material, the singer welcomes Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Joss Stone, and the Rebirth Brass Band as guests.

Rolling Stone (p.129) - 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..." Rolling Stone (p.96) - 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." Entertainment Weekly (p.95) - "Backed by a galvanizing ensemble of musicians that would make the Funk Brothers proud, Saadiq belts out effervescent love songs with infectious vigor." XXL (Magazine) (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." Q (Magazine) (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." Mojo (Publisher) (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." Blender (Magazine) (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..."

Raphael Saadiq started out as a member of 1980s/'90s New Jack Swing R&B group Tony! Toni! Tone!, going by his birth surname of Wiggins, and working alongside his cousin and brother. Going solo under the name Saadiq, he had his biggest hit before leaving the group, with the 1995 single "Ask of You." He didn't release his first proper solo album until 2002, though, as he was kept busy by his status as an in-demand producer for D'Angelo, Kelis, The Roots, Mos Def, and countless others.

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