The DJ Groove - The DJ Groove Product Guide

Editorial Review

Raphael Saadiq's The Way I See It album is satisfying for both old school heads and today's hip music buyers: his background as a musician, singer and songwriter is steeped in a love for R&B married with a commitment to making his own brand of expressive soul music. The Way I See It has the kind of smooth musical flow associated with great records made by pioneering producers at famous R&B companies like Motown, Invictus and Brunswick. From the foot-tapping opening track, "Sure Hope You Mean It" to the head-shaking reflective closer "Sometimes," Raphael delivers a present day potent ode to a bygone era. Loyal Tony! Toni! Toné! fans will particularly appreciate "100 Yard Dash," which Raphael describes as "a juke joint, Booker T.-type groove. I reflected back to my first T!T!T! albums when I was singing in a high tenor voice." Raphael grins when talking about the hypnotic "Love That Girl": "Man, that's all about the swing...the way girls swing their hips! It's the type of song that will make people move and that shuffle beat reminds me of those ladies I used to see playing drums in church!" With its Motown-flavored tambourine-featured beat, "Never Give You Up" is what Raphael calls "my three generations song. It includes C.J., this youngster from Baltimore that I'm working with and Stevie Wonder. Now comes The Way I See It, a masterful collection of new material that speaks to Raphael Saadiq's deep love for rhythm and blues.

Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0

Motown Lives Through Raphael

What a great tribute to the Motown sounds! This man really was inspired by all the wonderful tunes that came from all the phenominal artists of Detroit. He has written songs that evoke great memories of my growing up in the '60's. When I first heard LOVE THAT GIRL I thought it was a real oldie I just had never heard before. His duet with Joss Stone reminds me of Marvin and Tammi. I just have to give him point off for including Jay-Z on the last cut. I am not a rap fan, sorry. Maybe for his next CD he can... more info

Soul Savior!!

I will not say any more than this is the record of the year. Go out and allow some quality music into your life with this release. GO!!!!

Wonderful sound, but by the numbers soul

I'll start off by saying, I'm not exactly the biggest fan of this style of music as they all start to blend together for me. But Raphael Saadiq's album The Way I See It is marvelous. There isn't a track on the album I didn't enjoy. Even though Jay was honestly unnecessary to have. And Saadiq does get out classed by some guest appearances on the album.
Honestly, the only thing that is keeping this album for a 5 out of 5 for me is the fact that you can almost tell every single word he is about to say... more info

Sorry dude but its been done already

I like Saadiq alot and i gotta say, this album is well crafted and you can tell that he worked really hard on this one. For that i give hem respect. I listened to the album 1 time...thats it. I mean, im sorry to say this, and most people will probably not like me very much after saying this...but the motown sound is GONE! I love the motown era and if im in the mood to listen to that kind of music i will bump Marvin, Sam Cook, and Al Green (all of which are my major influences), but trying to bring it back... more info

Tracks:

Sure Hope You Mean It

100 Yard Dash

Keep Marchin'

Big Easy featuring The Infamous Young Spodie and the Rebirth Brass Band

Just One Kiss featuring Joss Stone

Love That Girl

Calling

Staying In Love

Oh Girl

Let's Take A Walk

Never Give You Up featuring Stevie Wonder and CJ