Rapahel Saadiq Appreciation Thread

Dr. Cheese · #1 10-12-2008, 06:03 PM

I recently bought "The Way I See It" and I really enjoyed how well Saadiq nailed the old school basslines and overall vibe. Today, my wife was loading her Iphone, and she pulled out a copy of Tony Toni Tone's Greatest Hits that I forgot we had. I put it in the car when I went to get her oil changed and reading the liners notes, I realized that Saadiq's first hit, "Little Walter" was twenty years ago this past spring. Listening to his hits really drove home the fact that he was the first r&b bassist to carve out a role for himself in the post-funk/hip hop era. All of the earmarks of Neo-Soul/ Hip Hop like no slap, bass lower in the mix, and quoting of classic soul are in evidence with the Tonys. A good example is "If I Had No Loot" which is a reworking of "Knock on Wood."

bassrique · #2 10-12-2008, 06:38 PM

I wish there was more music like this being made today for many reasons.

Dr. Cheese · #3 10-12-2008, 07:21 PM

I made a mistake when I first posted. The song that re-did "Knock On Wood" is :If I Had No Loot." Listening to Tony Toni Tone really drives home how Hip Hop influenced they were. The drums are almost always mixed higher than the bass, and the bass lines tend to be very simple but catchy. It is also striking how little Saadiq added fills or threw in cool licks. He played very much like a live sample, something that is a hallmark of current hip hop bass playing. To those of us who greew up on folks like Marcus Miller or Anthony Jackson, not tossing a fill or cool lick is tough!

Playing the same simple line over and over while keeping it fresh takes some deep dscipline and groove.

J. Crawford · #4 10-12-2008, 07:27 PM

I mean, come on. Can you say vintage P tone? Favorite live vid on the 'Tube right now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpBzuUGStFk

Fire-Starter · #5 10-12-2008, 07:31 PM

I feel you on the Tone Toni Tone stuff. I was listening to their stuff from the 80's the other day, like It never rains in southern Califronia, it's our anniversary..etc...Heck I was in the Military at the time, brings back LOTS of Memories.

Not sure if Rapahel Saadiq was the one laying down the bass then, I always saw this dude in the videos playing, and he was some left handed cat playing why Mr Rapahel Saadiq was singing up front.

BTW, did you decide to keep your squire? if so how is that working out for you?

Peace.

ElMon · #6 10-12-2008, 07:34 PM

I've been diggin him for a long time. I really like his live album and his work with Lucy Pearl.

Dr. Cheese · #7 10-12-2008, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire-Starter

I feel you on the Tone Toni Tone stuff. I was listening to their stuff from the 80's the other day, like It never rains in southern Califronia, it's our anniversary..etc...Heck I was in the Military at the time, brings back LOTS of Memories.

Not sure if Rapahel Saadiq was the one laying down the bass then, I always saw this dude in the videos playing, and he was some left handed cat playing why Mr Rapahel Saadiq was singing up front.

BTW, did you decide to keep your squire? if so how is that working out for you?

Peace.

I'm glad you are feeling Raphael Saadiq too.

Off topic: I still have the Squier. I have some DiMarzio Ultra Jazz (Sadowsky) pickups coming in for it this week. I will keep you posted on how it sounds.

Will On Bass · #8 10-12-2008, 08:13 PM

Man my wife's flutist just told me yesterday that Raphael Saadiq was here in concert last week and I almosst cried cause I missed it! LOL. They didn't even advertise that he was gonna be here. That sux huh.

Fire-Starter · #9 10-12-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I'm glad you are feeling Raphael Saadiq too.

Off topic: I still have the Squier. I have some DiMarzio Ultra Jazz (Sadowsky) pickups coming in for it this week. I will keep you posted on how it sounds.

please do sir!

Dr_Funkdamental · #10 10-12-2008, 08:43 PM

Man TTT was one of the hottest R&B bands ever, 80s and up. If I can ever find it, the FULL version of "Anniversary" is what made me want a 5 string. The whole version is like 7-8 minutes long, and near the end the strings go into an interlude, and then the bass just lays the bassline down, and he sets it up going kinda high, then DUMPS down on the B. I was like, OMG I gotta have that. I have yet to find that version because all the ones I hear are cut shorter or radio edits.

Starrchild · #11 10-12-2008, 09:18 PM

Rapheal reminds me of the late great Benard Edwards of Chic, creative, very seldom's slaps, but can if the song called for it.

Fire-Starter · #12 10-12-2008, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr_Funkdamental

Man TTT was one of the hottest R&B bands ever, 80s and up. If I can ever find it, the FULL version of "Anniversary" is what made me want a 5 string. The whole version is like 7-8 minutes long, and near the end the strings go into an interlude, and then the bass just lays the bassline down, and he sets it up going kinda high, then DUMPS down on the B. I was like, OMG I gotta have that. I have yet to find that version because all the ones I hear are cut shorter or radio edits.

try this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNaxTwz36Uk

Starrchild · #13 10-13-2008, 08:29 PM

I hear TTT has plan's on dropping a CD next year, I hope it's true, I'm tired of this commercial crap that's called music.

**derrellvis69** · #14 10-13-2008, 08:36 PM

He was one of the major producers on Joss Stone's latest CD and played bass on some of those tracks also. I think he's actually opening for John Legend on part of his most recent tour. He keeps it simple, funky, and groovin

mrniceguy715 · #15 10-13-2008, 08:52 PM

one of my fav singers, producers, and bassist! love the new CD and looking foward to another more modern disc

lm183902 · #16 10-14-2008, 11:24 AM

I really haven't given "The Way I See It" a rest since it came out. This may very well end up being my favorite album of 2008. I think my favorite track has got to be "Hundred Yard Dash" - such a great groove

palm grease · #17 10-14-2008, 12:35 PM

man i've been singing about this guy for yrs now!

glad to see he's gettin some spect!

again... listen to Instant Vintage!!!!!!

T-MOST · #18 10-14-2008, 02:00 PM

If u wanna talk vintage you have to check out House of Music and Sons of Soul. 3T went old school big time! But No fills is how music is these days... No improvising not even a guitar solos are allowed in rock these days. music isn't what it used to be (and most of it isn't for the better).

Buskman · #19 10-14-2008, 03:09 PM

+1 on the House Of Music disc - all of TTT stuuf is great, but this album really does it for me... especially this jam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVekW8IyGhs

Saadiq doin' his best Jamerson!

Starrchild · #20 10-14-2008, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buskman

+1 on the House Of Music disc - all of TTT stuuf is great, but this album really does it for me... especially this jam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVekW8IyGhs

Saadiq doin' his best Jamerson!

+1