Raphael Saadiq as Ray Ray
Published January 28, 2005
Promising a "ghetto cinematic flair to modern R&B," Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter/producer Raphael Saadiq returns with his sophmore solo record. Taking the title from his childhood nickname and a cover concept borrowed from '70's Blaxploitation film, with Saadiq in full pimp gear leaning on a white convertible Cougar, all the while flowing retro and smooth, 70's-ish funk, it's sure to light up radio and the charts and still be danceable enough to get some play on the club circuit.
While the songs are definately strong and danceable, I'm still waiting for the "ghetto" part. This CD is more reminecent of house music than street-beats. Still, it's easy on the ears and has enough infectious grooves to satisfy. Talented enough to spin out a dance-inspired number like "Chic Like You" or "Detroit Girl" and still settle into the thought-provoking, Gospel-inspired "Grown Folks" and "Save Us," Saadiq takes us on a thoroughly enjoyable ride through the whole gambit of radio-friendly R&B.
It's also loaded with guest appearences, from Teedra Moses to Joi and most notably, Saadiq's brother and former Tony, Toni, Tone partner Dwayne Wiggins and Dawn Robinson, Saadiq's former partner in Lucy Pearl on the somewhat irritating "Rifle Love."
I'd say that anyone tired of the clichéd gangsta-rap that's been the norm in the R&B world lately would highly enjoy Saadiq's cooler, funkier sound.
rating: 8 of 10
- Raphael Saadiq as Ray Ray
- Published: January 28, 2005
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Funk, Music: Hip-hop, Music: Pop, Music: Popular and Standards, Music: R&B
- Writer: Jim Schwab
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I am sorry but what in the hell are you both talking about?!! This album Ray Ray is much more of an instant classic than Instant Vintage was. I.V tried to be something too hard. This album is groovey, cool, hot and original compared to the latest offerings of RnB of late. Rifle Love is the 2nd best track after Chic Like You which is slamming and i cannot NOT move when it comes on!! U guys are sad and shallow! If you are RS fans then you should embrace this new level of RS. With the very Ghetto Grown Folks and Save Us, he not only tells us some morals thruths but goes beyond the past Neo Soul Movement and combines that with Hip Hop and deep soul tracks that are very entertaining to listen to. You only have to see the effort put into the CD sleeve to know the effort he put into the album. And who the hell can diss an album that has Babyface on it???!! Get real and see what other *ish is out there and you will see that Ray Ray was the best album of 2004 and the best stuff RS has ever tried to do to get people to seriously recognize his talent.
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Ummm...I am a huge Saadiq fan, and, sorry, but this record is not even as good as you make it out to be. It's a hair above "painful."
When Instant Vintage came out, I was rightfully excited. It disappointed in areas (especially when compared to, say, "Sons of Soul" or "Lucy Pearl"), but now, compared to even IV, this record is just plain razz-worthy.
The clunky, plodding rhythms and flat, uninspring lyrics are tough to stomach in the wake of Saadiq's past work.
Ugh...I hate crapping on the man, he is awesome, without question. But he is so much better than this album. I don't konw what he was thinking or what sort of tangent he was on.
It's just bad, and I'm the sorriest of all to have to say it.
- Matt