Customer Reviews

Ray Ray

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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

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!!!!

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.

What an amazing follow up to his outstanding debut 'Instant vintage' which was just that.

One of the catchiest and coolest soul cds to come out this year.

'Ray Ray theme', the awesome 'I know Shuggie Otis', 'This one', 'Chic like you', 'Not a game' (with Babyface, beautiful!), and 'Live without you' are standouts on this outstanding collection.

The songs are much shorter than those on his debut, they get to the point much faster. The cd artwork and photography is also fab!

Sadly, music like this gets passed over for trite, same sounding rubbish; one look at the charts is enough to confirm this.

I don't know if the people who already reviewed this album had a bootleg copy or what but this album is simply greatness. This is better than Instant Vintage by a long ways and that's the truth! Instant Vintage was, for one, a long album as well as having a multitude of pointless interludes, and he was just trying to do too much within one album. This resulted in not being able to just sit down and listen to it. Instead you had to wade through the tracks to find the great songs that lied within. That is not the case with this album.

The songs are short and to the point (unlike his usual 5-15 minute songs)...never dragging on for too long but never feeling unfinished. This concept, when perfected as it is here, will constantly have you hitting rewind. You wish it was longer but you don't really wish it was longer. If ya understand me. The album flows along seamlessly, each song distinct and memorable with a memorable groove to it. There are no pointless skits or interludes; just 'vintage' Raphael Saadiq. Perfect grooves and melodies and genius basslines. Timeless lyrics and flawless singing. Raphael Saadiq is probably the best singer of my generation with a voice 'instant'ly recognizable and smooth. Every song is borderline classic. Rifle Love meshes the sounds of Lucy Pearl and TTT perfectly, and rightly so as Dwayne Wiggins and Dawn Robinson contribute on the song. Replacement Lucy Pearl member Joi, wife of Big Gipp of Goodie Mob, shows her vocals on the Ray Ray Theme. Babyface does backup ( yes backup! ) vocals on Not A Game...arguably the best song on the album. New artist Teedra Moses ( whose debut is about as good as it gets ) gives that flavor on two songs; Chic and I Want You...again arguably the best songs on the album. Chic Like You with Allie Baba is another classic as well as my favorite joint on the album 'Detroit Girl' with a smooth background that only Saadiq can come up with; He pours his heart out to that girl ( Ray Ray you're a fool!). Trust me on this one...this album is greatness...I haven't heard a male album this year that's better and I've heard John Legend, Lyfe, Van Hunt, and Jon B among others. This album is for real. A Must have! 10 stars.

This is another solid CD by Mr. Saadiq. I love Raphael and he does not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoy this outing from beginning to end. Glad to see him reunite with his family (3T's) and mend fences with Dawn Robinson. To boot, he has a duet with Babyface, c'mon now! I don't have a favorite song. All tracks are tight, in my opinion. They each have a different vibe, so you don't get bored. If you want a cd with good music, solid production and great sound, pick this up! A true "cruising in the car" cd on a nice day.

This album goes in a different direction than instant vintage. It's got a more positive and upbeat feel to it. Instant Vintage has more of a laid back and realistic (lack of a better word) feel to it. Both albums are great and anything from him and tony tone toni are amazing but I really feel this one a little bit more than instant vintage. It's definitely a funky positive sound.

Favorite Tracks
1.) Detroit Girl (Haha Ray Ray your a fool)
2.) I Love Her (Classic perfect song)
3.) I want you back (way too good of a beat and teedra and him are a team)
4.) Chic (Real Funky)
5.) This One (So true about how you feel about someone)
6.) Ray Ray Theme (love the callabo)
7.) Rifle Love (Rifle shot bugs me a bit but I think it's creative)

Buy this mans cd's. He is a true artist.

This is the way albums are supposed to flow..seamlessly from track to track with a surging momentum, increasing complexity, a triad of songs serving as the centerpiece ("Rifle Love", "Chic" & "I Want You Back") and a cohesive, consistent structure. Ray's bass playing is the foundation for all these tracks and his melodic skills have never been on better display. "Save Us" is the kind of direct, poetic statement that all artists reach for but ruin by overplaying thier hand, Saadiq keeps it simple and haunting, thereby delivering his message effectively and closing the LP on a quiet, beautifully hopeful note. This is easily one of the most brilliant and underappreciated albums of recent memory.

I waited for this bruh's album with great anticipation for quite some time. When I first played it, I realized I was expecting "Instant Vintage II." That was a mistake, because Saadiq's track record clearly shows that the ONLY thing predictable about his music is that it will be QUALITY.

The "blaxploitation" theme is not a new one, even for Saadiq, but I can tolerate it for one album. The straight funk/soul grooves are a welcome respite from the everyday BS on radio and videos.

If you EVER get a chance to see this cat live, do it! This CD will made a solid entry to your Saadiq/TTT collection (PS: CHECK OUT TEEDRA MOSES -- BANGIN'!)...

I'm afraid I'll have to agree with those who say 'Instant Vintage' has been the best by far but ,on the flip side, this is one artist that is always ahead of his time. The tracks that got me hooked are ' Rifle Love', 'It's not a Game', and the all time favourite ' Chic Like u' for the rest of the album rocks. Teedra Moses' simply amazing and out of this world voice on 'Chic', is one thing I cannot get enough of. This is a must have 'if u know ur sh*t' but then again 'its never to late to learn' = Tebza (Cape Town, South Africa)