Musical genius and soon-to-be R&B legend, Raphael Saadiq is ready to make his mark on 2011. Spending a good amount of time behind the scenes as an award winning producer and collaborator for the likes of The Roots, John Legend, Joss Stone, and many others, this hit maker is ready to step back into the spotlight. The singer-songwriter has recently announced the release of his fifth album entitled âStone Rollinâ slated to be in stores March 22, 2011 on Columbia Records.
Saadiq, sticking with the same make-up that has made past albums a success, is staying true to his funky âold schoolâ sound. What makes this album unique is the way the artist infuses sounds of the â60s and â70s with a futuristic feel.
The superstar is determined to give his listeners a range of sounds by playing the bass, percussion, drums, guitar, and much more. He also collaborates with multiple artists like Robert Randolph, indie Swedish-Japanese singer, Yukimi Nagano, and also iconic Larry Dunn of Earth, Wind, and Fire, who lends his pianist skills to Saadiqâs track.
The R&B heavyweight debuted the new video for âRadioâ yesterday on www.rollingstone.com and the song will be available next week on iTunes.
This ten track album has big shoes to fill as it is the follow up album to Saadiqâs 2008 chart-topping effort âThe Way I See It.â This album experienced insurmountable success as it boasts three Grammy nominations including Best R&B Album, and four Billboard R&B chart singles.
Saadiq however is not worried about album sales saying, “Both the attraction and reaction to my music from my listeners has giving me all that I need to continue pushing the envelope and making music that wakes and rocks the soul of many, Its Ready, I’m Ready, and I know the world is Ready, Lets all go Stone Rollin.”
Official Track listing for Stone Rollin:
1. Heart Attack
2. Go To Hell
3. Radio
4. Over You
5. Stone Rollin’
6. Day Dreams
7. Moving Down The Line
8. Just Don’t
9. Good Man
10. The Answer
It’s been six years since Raphael Saadiq released his fourth studio album, but the wait is over. The R&B legend is back with a brand new project titled Stone Rollin’, and fans are ready for it! This highly anticipated fifth studio album from one of music’s most talented artists promises to be another great addition to his impressive discography. With an exciting blend of old-school soul vibes and modern beats, this record is sure to make waves in the music world. So let’s take a closer look at what we can expect from Raphael Saadiq’s latest offering.
The first thing that stands out about Stone Rollin’ is its wide range of musical styles and influences. Saadiq has always had a knack for blending classic sounds with contemporary production techniques, and he continues that trend here. Tracks like “Good Man” combine vintage-style instrumentation with more modern elements, while other cuts such as “Just Don’t” give us a taste of some good ol’ fashioned funk grooves. There truly seems to be something for everyone on this album – which should come as no surprise given Saadiq’s vast array of experience across multiple genres.
Beyond just the soundscape, however, there’s also plenty of substance when it comes to Stone Rollin’. From songs packed full of social commentary (“Day Dreams”) to heartfelt odes (“Reconsider Me”), Saadiq takes listeners on an emotional journey throughout the course of the record. Even though much time has passed between his last release and now, it appears that very little has changed when it comes to Saadiq’s passion for creating meaningful music that speaks volumes.
Overview Of Raphael Saadiq’s Career
Raphael Saadiq is an American singer, songwriter, musician, producer and multi-instrumentalist whose career spans more than three decades. He has been credited with helping to shape the sound of today’s R&B music. From his early days as a member of the band Tony! Toni! Tone!, through his solo albums, Raphael has consistently delivered soulful music that speaks directly to the heart. His fifth studio album ‘Stone Rollin”, set for release on May 10th 2011, is no different.
The son of two Gospel singers from Oakland, California, Raphael was exposed to music at an early age and began performing professionally by the time he was 16 years old. In 1988 he co-founded Tony! Toni! Toné!, who quickly became one of the most successful neo-soul groups in history. After releasing four acclaimed albums under this moniker until 1997, Raphael embarked upon a highly successful career as a solo artist.
Throughout his solo career Raphael released four full-length studio albums including ‘Instant Vintage’ (2002) and ‘The Way I See It’ (2008). Each LP featured critically acclaimed singles such as “Be Here” and “Love That Girl”. Now with the upcoming release of ‘Stone Rollin” – produced entirely by himself – it appears that Raphael’s creative energy shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Overview Of ‘Stone Rollin’ Album
Building upon the success of his previous albums, Raphael Saadiq is set to release ‘Stone Rollin’, a timeless collection of music that showcases his unique blend of R&B, soul and funk. The album will feature 12 songs with contributions from artists such as Jay-Z, Joss Stone and Trombone Shorty. In addition to these collaborations, Raphael has also worked with some of the biggest names in contemporary production including Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson.
The lead single ‘Good Man’ – an upbeat track about finding true love – has already been released to critical acclaim. Other noteworthy tracks include the gospel-tinged ‘Day Dreams’ featuring Marsha Ambrosius, and the laid back jam ‘Just Don’t’ which features Q Tip on vocals. Whether it’s up-tempo dance numbers or mellow ballads, there truly is something for everyone on this diverse sonic journey.
With its mix of modern production techniques and classic songwriting sensibilities, ‘Stone Rollin’ promises to be one of 2011’s most talked about releases. From start to finish each track oozes with emotion and personality; making it clear why Raphael Saadiq continues to shine as a leader in today’s musical landscape.
Conclusion
I’ve been a fan of Raphael Saadiq for years, and I can confidently say that ‘Stone Rollin’ is one of his best albums to date. It has the perfect blend of soulful R&B melodies along with modern production techniques. The album combines both traditional sounds from the past with innovative ideas from the present – something that many artists struggle to do successfully.
Saadiq has created an impressive body of work throughout his career and this album further showcases his immense talent as a songwriter and producer. He has managed to remain in touch with his roots while staying relevant in today’s music scene; it’s truly inspiring how far he’s come since his humble beginnings.
If you’re looking for some great music to add to your collection, then ‘Stone Rollin’ should definitely be at the top of your list. You won’t regret it!
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