So what do ya'll think of Raphael Saadiq as Ray Ray?

Posted this already to a different topic:
Ray's a phenomenal producer, solid guitar player, and a good vocalist but he's a terrible writer and a poor composer. The new album is great in terms of funk, groove, and the overall sound of it, but the melodies are sometimes too predictable and the lyrics are simply naive, blatant, and unimaginative

Papaj said:

Yeah, I saw that.

Anyway, we're all entitled to our opinions.

i just listened to the sampler--

i like the concept and "help the grown folks" (does this remind you of curtis mayfield or what?)
and "ray ray theme" ("play that funky bass, boy!") are solid tracks. the rest is alright. might
need a few listens. i'm curious about the album. but at the end of the day raphael just isn't
doing it for me as a solo artist (i'm not such a ttt fan either). as a producer he can do little to
no wrong though.

BTW okaypimpn:
1. check out mos def's new record "the new danher". it's available on vh1.com (streaming). i
know saadiq did at least one track on there ("boogie man"; i believe it's mos on drums/piano,
saadiq on bass/guitar).
2. please post that d'angelo interview you were talking about. or have you already posted it?

purpleone said:

Yes sir! Musically, lyrically, the whole nine!


Nice Rick James tribute (Ray dedicated it to him in the linear notes).


Man, I forgot to bring it. I'll put a reminder on my phone to do so this evening.

Yeah I thought it came out next week for some reason, but I'm lovin those previews!

okaypimpn said:

Some people just don't understand do they?

speaking of raphael saadiq here is cover of tony toni tone covering sly & family stone stand

http://s7.yousendit.com/d...99656D2EA1

dose anybody have rare tracks raphael they can upload?

psykosoul said:

Exactly! That's why they don't faze me one bit.

okaypimpn said:

Oh please, I like Raphael's music a lot and I think the new album is a lot better than Instant Vintage. My favs are I Know Shuggie Otis, Chic Like You, Detroit Girl, and Ray Ray Theme. But don't you think Saadiq's lyrics are a bit repetitive? I remember listening to Instant Vintage a couple of years ago and I just couldn't stand him repeating the "I was walking down the street..." line in most of the cuts
As for Ray Ray, while listening to the first 10 cuts from it for the first time I thought of Michael Jackson's "Off the Wall"; it's just got that groove, the feeling, that brisky happiness, bitter-sweetness, that power of youth. Raphael can sometimes in his music convey the emotions that make an outstanding piece of work. But starting from Chic, when all the collabs begin to crop up, the music transforms into dull R&B, with chics singing on it

Papaj said:

Again, you're entitled to your opinion , but you're throwing me off by stating that he's a "terrible writer" and "poor composer" and then saying "the new album is great in terms of funk, groove, and the overall sound of it?" How can music by funky, but poorly composed? Kinda sounds like a contradiction to me.
[Edited 10/7/04 8:11am]

okaypimpn said:

Not necessarily a contradiction - Saadiq is a poor melody maker and it has nothing to do with being funky or a groove creator. He can jam, produce, play instruments, tear the house down with his funk, but you should have already learnt that funk is not about melody and songwriting, not to mention lyrics, darling
[Edited 10/7/04 8:36am]
[Edited 10/7/04 8:55am]

Papaj said:

Again, so is he a poor melody maker or is he funky? I don't agree with you when you say he's a poor melody maker. Granted the fact that Ray Ray does sound a bit rushed and some of the tracks aren't as elaborate as those found on Instant Vintage, but I believe a lot of that has to do with the fact that he didn't solely produce a lot of the tracks. Just take songs like "Blind Man," "Uptown," Teedra Moses's "Take Me" and Joi's "You're A Whore"...there's some pretty complex melodic structures all throughout those songs.

Papaj said:

It does tho. Earth Wind & Fire are the testimonies of bein funky, groove creators or just down right improvisors can be fine composers.

That applys to Ray Saadiq.

Harlepolis said:

Cool, but funk is more about rhythm and beat rather than melodies. Maybe Raph can compose but he hasn't showcased his full potential in that area yet.

Papaj said:

Oh my God... please just stop right there where you are...
Don't move... don't type another word... just stop...

I heard the cd last night. This girl played it for me to see what I thought. I liked it. But my mind was already pretty much made up when I saw the title "I know Shuggie Otis". Frankly, I wanted to whoop Raphael's ass for beating me to that title. That shit is sooo cool. I saw Raphael at this huge ass record store in Hollywood performing with his band shortly after he released "Instant Vintage". He's a fellow brother musician who has good influences. I support him just on the heart of that. A brother that can get his shit released without getting fucked over in today's music industry is a feat among itself. Trust me, I know of what I speak.

psykosoul said:

blackguitaristz said:

so LUCY PEARL IS REALLY back together on this album toooo!!!??

psykosoul said:

paisleypark4 said:

Kinda...no Q-Tip (who has since replaced Ali), just Dawn and really no TTT, either...just Dwayne.

It's cool - my favorite tracks are " I know Shuggie Otis, Detroit Girl, and I Love Her...the rest I--- dunno, maybe I gotta come back to it. I've always hated his "lyrics", though.

Now that tune he does on Earth, Wind And Fire's upcoming album- "Show Me"--they really need to release THAT as a single!


[Edited 10/8/04 8:28am]

This is a good cd so far.It's not great,though. I still feel that he hasn't reached his full potential yet.Maybe he never will.It's almost like he wants to just bust loose,but some record exec guy is whispering in his ear. He is a really talented guy,though.

rockwilder said:

You know I'm gonna d/l this to my mp3 player and go driving.I can get a better feel that way.