Raphael Saadiq connects with classic '60s soul

Raphael Saadiq has been making sweet soul music since his youth in the 1980s leading the Oakland-based retro-nuevo combo Tony! Toni! Tone!  He's produced many notables, most recently Joss Stone, and made some unjustly overlooked solo albums. But now's the time for a Saadiq revival.

In mid-September Columbia Records will release his new album, "The Way I See It" -- a loving tribute to 1960s soul that's made with such precision and vitality, it's guaranteed to make Mark Ronson (whom Saadiq says is a pal) squirm.

Saadiq, who'll lead his band through a hot set this Sunday at the Roxy, recently answered some questions via phone from his North Hollywood studio.

Take me through the process of making this album, from its germination to its realization.

This idea's not new to me. Anybody who knows me and my work isn't surprised that I did it. Classic soul is what I grew up on, and it's one of my main influences.

Two years ago I did a show at Sweet's Ballroom in Oakland. I came out onstage and did the Marvin Gaye song "Ain't That Peculiar." The album's cover shot comes from that performance. I was working in Oakland for three months, then I came back to L.A. and did the song "I Found My Everything" with Mary J. Blige. That's where I first checked the sound that evolved for this project. And it felt like the album was done practically the next day. It just came.

Did you use vintage equipment?

Some, but it's not about the equipment as much as who's playing it. It's about copping a feel. Any musician will understand that. If you listen to the Dap Kings or Amy (Winehouse), it's not their equipment, it's their feel. You  can't put on basketball shoes and expect to do a jump shot, just because of the shoes.

Who are the players, besides your famous guests Stevie Wonder and Joss Stone?

I play bass guitar and keyboards on most of the album, and do the background vocals. 98 per cent of it I recorded by myself. The girl singing on "Let's Take a Walk," that's Erica Cherry. And when you hear those ridiculous piano lines, that's a friend of mine named Greg Curtis, from Houston.

Another friend, [the guitarist] Rob Bacon, he grew up in Detroit -- when he threw a football over the fence, he'd see David Ruffin in the next backyard. So when I was done with the tracks, I sat him in the room with me and asked him to point out anything I had forgotten and add that in.

How did you get Stevie Wonder to play on "Like It"?

I wrote the song with my protege, C.J., and I called Stevie and said, I need you to play harmonica. He said, what do you need? I told him I needed an hour, and he came in that night and did it. At 1 a.m.!

Your duet with Joss Stone sounds like Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

Working on her record, I got a chance to work out the issues that factor into this release. Bu my main guitarist Spanky [Alford, the gospel great] passed away last summer, and I had to regroup. Later, Joss heard the project and she thought it sounded incredible. I gave her options, and that's the song she picked.

What can we expect from your live show Sunday at the Roxy?

We're gonna be intense. We're gonna be excited. It's gonna look like a soul revue.

-- Ann Powers

Raphael Saadiq plays Sunday at the Roxy Theater, 9009 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles.

Comments

[Tamara]

Can't wait to hear the album!

[Jimmy REwind]

If anyone were to tell me in 1965 that 44 years later -- in the year 2008 -- there would be an
LA Times article gushing about oldies music...me and my friends would crack up in disbelief.

While Saadiq's music is painfully authentic, like glueing together a model airplane from the early 60's...it is very sad so many wannabe hipsters -- and execs who green-light this pablum -- constantly re-do the past and think it is some new killer sound we all must experience. Ha!

It is clear these types have never known how to re-invent the present into The Future and are afraid of the natural progression happening in music, up to about 1986-87!

Just like all the Ramones punk sound-alikes, Swing phenomena ten years ago or the zillions of other attempts at 60's Soul or 70's Jazz -- it's obnoxious to think retro-fitting the past is an acceptable path to pop music glory; imitating Mom and Dad's, or Grandma's, music.

It is clear the US has been culturally frozen in time since 1987...when Ronnie Raygun began the sterilization of local radio into a soul-less national media conglomerate.

The latest victim is Saadiq. He is yet one more Re-Enactor of The Past...like the guys who dress up and pretend it's the Civil War. What's the point in the past?

Why are not hearing about Drum + Bass? Eletroclash? Blips and Bleeps - aka the next generation of Techno? Why is it always homage to 50's, 60's 70's -- in the now omnipotent mainstream press that dominates the US with no other competing voices? Very sad.

Listening to the past is just a novelty. It is not relevant nor does it spur forward thinking.

Since Radio is now a tool of mass hypnosis, Retro culture seriously holds people back yet simlutaneoulsy seems unique to the Under 40 crowd or anyone who likes this mess.

Apparently major record labels like Columbia (Sony) are happy to contribute to this banal conformist society by letting Saadiq conjure up sounds inspired by wha? music overheard
from strangers on a beach? In Costa Rica? ...what do they know! They're followers!

Pity Americans, especially, are not allowed to grow musically any more.

By the time man walked on the moon in 1969 -- it was no longer hip to stilll dance to
Marvin Gaye music from 1965. That was ancient music! Ask anyone from THAT time!

Why must we walk backwards on Earth when it comes to *modern music* nowadays?

But the Moonwalk was 1969 -- when every summer was different, every week there were great new songs on the Radio...music, language, fashion made sweeping changes every season, not every decade --as it is now. People changed - technology stayed the same.

Why must we walk backwards on Earth then, when it comes to *modern music*?

The water is invigorating in Futurism...yet predicatable and stale in Retro.
Dive in to Future waters -- get a real good tingly change People!

It's 2008, already!

[Funk Jones]

Jimmy REwind.

Didnt fancy listening to it before publishing your view? no?

you should have done ... That argument was an articulate waste of words ... and possibly time (though im hoping you type quickly) because mate, the problem i have with your opinion is that you have yet to HEAR the music that you are commenting on - Instead forming your views based on an article without experiencing the songs, sound or album.

I'm imagining you right now, wearing futuristic clothes and texting those "friends" from 65' about an LA Times article you just read, friends that probably havent worked out how to set their video players to record let alone read text's from their eccentric pal.

Now me, I wasnt around in the 60's ... so when i bought Smokey Robinson's Greatest Hits in the 90's it had the same powerful effect on me that I got from the other purchase i made at the shop, an album by the Stone Roses. And both 'Fools Gold' / 'I Second That Emotion' - hit me equally - point is It was all new music to me ... regardless of when it was recorded. But what this album has over a 60's re-issue is that it is a product for 'now', in 'Big Easy' Raphael has written a song about the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Its also 'now' in teh sense i will get to live with this album, hear it as everyone else hears it for the first time .. see the man live, revel in the moment.

I would suggest you could enjoy music more if you drop the hang ups as to how 'retro' it may sound to you. After all you may not have been told yet but Drum & Bass has already dated ... + I hate to break this to you but KLF have broken up too.

Saadiq's new album is not only his best and the best of the year but also possibly the greatest bollocks out soul album for 30 years. Anyone else reading this, don't take my word for it ... have a listen as soon as its available (*it also helps to listen to the records before attempting to review them online ...)

[BLACKBONO]

as you know music now a days are really dry,there is nothing in it you could feel in to the soul.now these many artists that are returning with good music with great lyrics today like of erykah badu,jill scott,neyo,chaka khan,mary j blige,amy winehouse,eric benet and others now saadiq is coming with new album with great music that wont die off you within 6 months or a year,i already i hear some of the songs from the new album the way i see it man all i can telll you is i cant wait for it to come out.and who ever dont cop this cd will be missing out a great music that we truly need in today music.

[Drugh]

I have been a lover of funk, soul and RnB since I was in my early teens... This year I'll be 48... I have literally wept tears of joy today after hearing the complete album by Mr Raphael Saadiq. Well... I kinda laughed when Amy Winehouse switched from being a low grade Badu impersonator to a new white soul pretender.... and then Duffy made a slightly better than average Gabrielle album.... both close but no cigar... oh and now we have Eli 'Paperboy' Reed currently making 'Q' magazine poop their pants...

Then up steps a master.

Mr Saadiq. You have studied your past... you have taken from heaven all that was wonderous about soul music... and you have made me an album that I have long for since I was a boy... and I have danced...and I have played your album down the phone to all my co'horts...purists.... who know what 'real' soul is all about....

Fro Northern Soul fans to Smokey, Temps, Tops and Cooke fans... we are all in awe at what you have created.

This is not some NY Brit born DJ relying on Sharon Jones band to create his star for him.... or the janglings of stock writer 'Eg White' and Bernard Butler.... this my friends...this is the real deal.

I played 'Keep Marching' last night to 2000 Northern Soul fans...just dropped it inbetween songs....the reaction? It was fucking awesome. WHO IS THIS!!!!! WHERE DID YOU GET IT!!!! Not a reaction I would ever expect from any of the aforementioned artists.

It's so apparent that whilst messers Amy and Ms Duffy were picking up their soul GCSE's Raphael was gathering his PHD with Honours....

In order to understand 'The Way I See It' you have to have soul.... raised with it....wrapped in it.

....and here he is....Mr Raphael Saadoq.... coming at ya....like a ray!!!!!

[Domski uk]

INCREDIBLE ALBUM!

I think it's about time Raphael got the attention he deserves. He has been writing quality songs for ages. To the people here saying that he is just 'milking' the 60s sound are obviously unaware of anything he's done before. Listen to 'Chic'- quality, contemporary soul music. Also, let's not forget the classic 'Get Involved'!

I admire him for copying the 60s musical style - music was incredible back then.
And it's not as though Amy was the first - listen to Gabrielle and Texas! The difference is that Amy and Raphael have both produced albums that could easily be mistaken (apart from Amy's lyrics) for genuine 60s albums.
'The Way I See It' is so good that you will buy it eventually! Trust me, it's gonna be big!
Raphael - I take my hat off to you sir!