Ray Ray

Raphael Saadiq | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 5, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Pookie Entertainment
• ASIN: B0002XVRQ6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,941 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Out of print in the U.S. 2004 album from the former leader of Tony Toni Tone. Raphael Saadiq has never been one to walk the safe, highly traveled R&B roads. While his compositions, dating back to his days leading the successful trio Tony Toni Tone, have always been of the smoothly palatable R&B variety, they have certainly been somewhat unorthodox, and there has always been a Prince-like unpredictability to Saadiq's career. As Ray Ray opens with a perfectly true-to-form audio 'trailer,' which fades into the groove-funk introduction to the lead character, 'Ray Ray Theme.' Saadiq also cleverly brings together all of his musical projects, as Tony Toni Tone and Lucy Pearl join together on the catchy 'Rifle Love.' Raphael Saadiq is always willing to take chances, and usually, as on the captivating Ray Ray, his efforts bear sweet fruit. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ray Ray does it again, October 7, 2004

By 

E.J. Rupert (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Ray Ray (Audio CD)

Raphael Saadiq - As Ray Ray (Pookie, 2004)

This album is a good follow up to his last album, Instant Vintage, which I liked and hated at the same time. It was probably because I expected more from the man who wrote classics like D'Angelo's "How Does It Feel" and Erykah Badu's "Love of My Life". Well, here's another album where you won't find any songs that top those two (why don't Raphael keep the great songs for himself?), but that doesn't mean that this album isn't good.

Songs like the Curtis Mayfield-esque "Grown Folks" (which plays well with the album's blaxploitation theme) and the two Teedra Moses duets, "Chic" and "I Want You Back", will have you constantly pressing the rewind button. Another surprise is the song with Babyface, "Not a Game" (I don't remember if they worked together in the past, but they make a great combination!). As Ray Ray does have its moments of filler ("Ray Ray Theme" featuring Joi) and "Rifle Love" sounds more like cut-and-paste performances than a reunion with Lucy Pearl (Dawn only) and Tony Toni Toné (Dwayne only). This album probably won't win Raphael any new fans but it'll sure keep his current ones like myself happy. -EJR

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars We're Getting There!!!!!!!!, October 18, 2004

By 

Raider Jack "Jackie D Gray-Romeyn" (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Ray Ray (Audio CD)

Raphael, affectionately referred to as Ray,Ray, is quite simply a force to be reckoned with. He is indeed one of R&B's premiere male vocalists and his writing talent is legendary. He has carved out his own niche and does not copy anyone. You only need to hear a few notes and you immediately recognize Oaktown representing. I have appreciated Raphael's vocal prowess since his days with Tony Toni Tone, later with Lucy Pearl, and certainly as a solo artist.

However, I was NOT well with his first solo outing Instant Vintage. While there were memorable performances, instant vintage it was not. But Raphael is one of those artists who is entirely too musically entrenched/established to be relegated to "this cut" or "that cut."

His second solo outing is infinitely better than Instant Vintage. While there are moments where it appears his experimentation with melodies and rhythms don't necessarily mesh well with R&B/hip hop, he blows you away with what is undoubtedly the highlight of this project "Detroit Girl." Interestingly enough, everything AFTER this cut is far superior to the ones before it. (Unfortunately, Detroit Love is Track 7!) Dawn Robinson lends her hot voice to "Rifle Love" which easily is another highlight (also after track 7.) An unusual Save Us at the end is haunting.

Raphael's previous solo project suffered mostly because it was too ambitious. He was all over the place and unfortunately seemed to have run out of the best ideas when it came to his solo work while writing nice tunes for everybody else.

While this is by no means a stellar production, there are indeed flashes of Raphael's brilliance that enusres his place as a musical trailblazer and therefore makes any new product of his worth consideration.

At this rate, his next solo project should be the bomb!!!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars, January 20, 2007

By 

W. E. Phillips (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ray Ray (Audio CD)

After an unnecessary intro, the album begins with the enjoyable groove of "Ray Ray Theme." The rest of the album is hit and miss. Some of the songs sound, well... thrown together. This project is somewhat self indulgent on Ray Ray's part. Saadiq does a social commentary on how "Grown Folks" need more help than the children these days. (Amen!) The weird metaphor of "Rifle Love" works somehow, and is a reunion of his two previous groups. "I Know Shuggie Otis" is great, too. (If Raphael insisted on the blaxploitation theme, it should have continued throughout. The little story in the liner notes is entertaining, though.) So overall, this album is a little above average. It is cool and enjoyable overall. I would recommend buying it, but it's nothing to rush to the store for.