In my opinion, the two best rhythm and blues albums from the past two years.

Which is the better record, Raphael Saadiq's 2008 The Way I See It or Maxwell's 2009 BLACKsummers'night?

I love Maxwell...and had hoped (as on the last 2) for a return to form. No dice.

Mr. Wiggins didn't do it for me either. Unlike House Of Music, this was too much retro-purity.... and sounded more like an inferior period tribute than a retro-update.

(swallows hard).....if I had to pick....I say Maxwell (but hardly any claim to glory...that shit was WEAK).

Don't know any of Raphael's music, so I'm a Maxwell guy. I've heard R.S. sing, and his voice is nowhere near Maxwell's, so even on that point, Max has my vote.

i only have raphaels album and i like it for what it is. i never got in to maxwell , so im not too familiar with his work.i go for raphael , because i know his last album and like it

BLACKsummers'night

"Bad Habits" is the best new R&B song I've heard in years, and there's several other stand-out tracks for me. It's an album with a live feel that hasn't been overproduced to death, with no rent-a-rappers, no flavor-of-the-month producers, one writing partner, old school yet still contemporary, short and sweet...it's everything I want in a R&B album.

While the throwback vibe of Saadiq's album is cool, it didn't really do it for me. Nothing about it really grabbed me. It's still miles above most R&B these days, though.

Kara said:

Going to go with Raphael in this one. Staying In Love, Love That Girl and Oh Girl was the HEAT