Raphael Saadiq - "The Way I See It"

jazzbo · #1 09-19-2008, 11:59 AM

Give this a lesson. Then another.

It's good. Real good.

JimK · #2 09-19-2008, 12:41 PM

Hopefully, after hearing Saadiq's album, new comers to "Classic Soul" will want to check out some of the early guys-

Three of my favourites from a past era-
Edwin Starr, Curtis Mayfield, & Donny Hathaway.

lm183902 · #3 09-19-2008, 12:45 PM

Just picked this up a few days ago and am loving it. So old school.

DWBass · #4 09-19-2008, 12:46 PM

Very old school. Even the recording sounds old school. I like the songs.

jazzbo · #5 09-19-2008, 12:46 PM

I should've known you'd be the first to reply Jim.

Otis, Wilson, Aretha, Marvin and Stevie.

palm grease · #6 09-19-2008, 12:55 PM

Saadiq is a top notch player!!!!

Listen to "Instant Vintage"!!!!

glad to see he's gettin some cred!

Mint Condition anyone?

FWIW... I went the other way, old school to new school.... some of the "Impressions" tunes are pure soul!

jazzbo · #7 09-26-2008, 03:09 PM

I cannot quit listening to this. Everyday, all day. Over and over and over again.

It's just that good.

jazzbo · #8 10-11-2008, 07:47 PM

Yeah, still listening to this constantly!! Raphael does piano, vocal, bass, and guitar and most, (perhaps all, I believe), tracks.

GO GET THIS ALBUM ALL!

I will regularly bump this thread to shamelessly promote it.

JimK · #9 10-12-2008, 08:29 AM

Finally...I picked this up (along with the new Holland 6-tet album).

Something I have noticed & I think someone maybe mentioned this-
The album sounds fine on my home stereo...through an iPod & those earbuds? Too much of a low end thing happening.

Dr. Cheese · #10 10-12-2008, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

Finally...I picked this up (along with the new Holland 6-tet album).

Something I have noticed & I think someone maybe mentioned this-
The album sounds fine on my home stereo...through an iPod & those earbuds? Too much of a low end thing happening.

I noticed that too. On the surface, it has an old school sound, but in reality, the bass and drums are mixed much higher than they ever were in Motown recordings.

JimK · #11 10-12-2008, 10:20 AM

No doubt. I don't mind a hot mix for the bass & drums...but this is low end pumped up like a Hip-Hop record. The Brand New Heavies' latest (from a couple years back) had a similar boost on selected cuts.

"Staying In Love" has a few Jamerson-isms going on...the overall vibe of this tune reminds me of the 4 Tops...other cuts smack of The Temptations.
"Sure Hope You Mean It" is Marvin...a shuffle in the style of "How Sweet It Is".

Noted, too, is the guitars' functions:
One is playing chords...another is sometimes doubling the main bass figure & another is sometimes playing a counter melody of sorts.

Dr. Cheese · #12 10-12-2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

No doubt. I don't mind a hot mix for the bass & drums...but this is low end pumped up like a Hip-Hop record. The Brand New Heavies' latest (from a couple years back) had a similar boost on selected cuts.

"Staying In Love" has a few Jamerson-isms going on...the overall vibe of this tune reminds me of the 4 Tops...other cuts smack of The Temptations.
"Sure Hope You Mean It" is Marvin...a shuffle in the style of "How Sweet It Is".

Noted, too, is the guitars' functions:
One is playing chords...another is sometimes doubling the main bass figure & another is sometimes playing a counter melody of sorts.

I agree on all counts. Just remember that Hip Hop has changed the wat people expect drumjs to be heard. The thumping mix is pretty standard for a dancefloor response nowadays.

I love "Staying in Love" ! It does put me in the mind of a "Bernadette" sort of bassline.

JimK · #13 10-13-2008, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

The thumping mix is pretty standard for a dancefloor response nowadays.

Yeah, I know. Listening to low end thump from an iPod is annoyong, IMO.
...maybe "House-Mix" versions should have been included?

Starrchild · #14 10-13-2008, 08:24 PM

Rapheal CD is this year's best IMO.

Lync · #15 05-18-2009, 08:50 PM

I'm late to this party but just picked up the album and love it! Good stuff beginning to end (and it sounds great too).

J. Crawford · #16 05-18-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lync

I'm late to this party but just picked up the album and love it! Good stuff beginning to end (and it sounds great too).

Kinda late, eh?

This is still on my Need To Buy list.

paul_wolfe · #17 05-19-2009, 01:07 AM

There was a transcription of STAYING IN LOVE in last month's Bass Player Magazine for anyone who wants to check it out - (that was the one with Phil LEsh on the cover - May)

jazzbo · #18 05-20-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

Yeah, I know. Listening to low end thump from an iPod is annoyong, IMO.
...maybe "House-Mix" versions should have been included?

In response to this string of conversations, I also think that our medium for playing music has changed mixing. Because so many people are listening to music on tiny ear buds most of the time, instead of the 5 foot tall speakers I have always known, levels are boosted to accommodate. I've noticed this in general with music in the digital age. On an otherwise amazing album, this is certainly a bummer. But, it's still the best R&B album I've heard since 1971 and "What's Going On?"