Raphael Saadiq Crafts A Classic With Instant Vintage
Written: Jun 16 '02 (Updated Jun 16 '02)
Product Rating:
Pros: It's not traditional R&B, Saadiq thinks outside the box.
Cons: May not be picked up by the mainstream.
The Bottom Line: Although Instant Vintage isn't a perfect album, it's too close to give it less than 5 stars. Saadiq created a beautiful, well-produced work of art - buy it.
cletta1201's Full Review: Instant Vintage by Raphael Saadiq
What You Might Already Know About Raphael Saadiq
Saadiq used to be a member of the R&B trio Tony Toné Toni and is the founder of another great group gone wrong, Lucy Pearl.
What You Might Not Know About Raphael Saadiq
Not only is an accomplished performer but also he’s produced hits for the likes of D’angelo, Whitney Houston, and The Bee Gees. He calls his mixture of music (mainly R&B, Funk, Gospel and Soul) Gospeldelic. Although Saadiq has been around a long time, produced a lot of music this is his first solo venture and his seasoned experience shines through the cracks.
Track Listing
1. Doing What I Can
2. Body Parts
3. Be Here (featuring D’angelo)
4. Still Ray
5. Oph
6. You’re The One That I Like
7. Excuse Me (featuring Calvin Richardson & Angie Stone)
8. Charlie Ray
9. Different Times (featuring T-Boz and Hi-Tek)
10. Tick Tock
11. People
12. Tex #1
13. Faithful
14. Make My Day
15. Blind Man
16. Tek #2
17. Uptown
18. What’s Life Like
19. Skyy, Can You Feel Me (featuring Rosie Kaye)
”Body Parts” reminds me of old school funk and is definitely my favorite track on the album. One of the things that occurred to me while listening to this album is that I really feel that the music was written for the songs and not vice-versa. I’m not sure what kind of effect it has on the structure and arranging – but some of the music is lush and sexy and it feels to me as if the song was wrapped around the music first. “Body Parts” is just one of those – the music is so mellow but funky all at once.
Saadiq also has an interesting voice. It’s not conventionally beautiful or powerful but it has an interesting complexity. He typically sings in a higher register but is capable of bringing it down. The album called ”Instant Vintage” does at times lean towards being a little pretentious but anything for the sake of art right?
”Be Here” is the duet between Saadiq and sex symbol D’angelo. Really, if I had heard this song before I bought this album I might not have purchased it because it’s nothing special. It doesn’t necessarily move me and isn’t really indicative of the rest of the album’s material. I however do understand marketing and D’angelo has got pull. ”Still Ray” starts off with a piano melody that sounds like a Dr. Dre song. Instant Vintage is an album that breathes sex and seduction but not in an overt, all in your face, freak somebody way – I have to give credit to anyone who can put a Tuba on a song and make it sound delicious – that’s artistry: “I’m coming home to you/ so wear something see through/ so I can see your heart/ oh night can never come/ soon enough for me/ I watch the sky all day/ night is where I find/ you and peace of mind/ my days are filled with grief/ that’s why I truly/ give you what you need/ because you love me for me.”
”Excuse Me” features additional vocals by Calvin Richardson and UNDERRATED soul songstress Angie Stone. I love this song because it features three singers with three very distinct voices and they blend so seamlessly. There’s nothing worse than unnecessary guest appearances but Saadiq has pretty much mastered using his guests to their maximum capabilities. That being said I’m not really a fan of T-Boz’s vocals, but she really fits into ”Different Times”. I like the unexpected pairing of light and dark, smooth and husky – it really works on this song and the music is flawless.
A note on interludes: There are a few of them but they don’t disturb the continuity of the album. They appear to me to be incomplete songs and all of them have superb production and music like the rest of the album.
”Tick Tock” is old sKool for real. Initially if you listen the programming sounds so elementary but for some reason it just really works for Saadiq. In fact, it reminds me of vintage Prince circa “Little Red Corvette” days. The vintage element is a thread that runs through the album but it’s not rustic and still sounds contemporary enough for the unknowing to enjoy. ”Faithful” is one of those songs you can smile about. About overcoming the perils of infidelity – this serious love song is put to a fun and funk incensed beat and if you don’t smile when you listen to it – something’s wrong with you.
”Uptown” has an old soul to it, just like the majority of the album. Kind of a mellow Jefferson’s anthem about moving on up – it has an interesting makeup but manages to be a good song. ”Skyy, Can You Feel Me” reminds me of Shuggie Otis material. I’m not familiar with Rosie Kaye and her artistry but she has a beautiful voice that is a bit Erykah Badu mixed with the lightness of someone like Ashanti. At 14:33 this song is an extended jam session and here you can really appreciate the musicianship that Saadiq possesses. Once the first “song” is finished it runs into a few bonuses that discuss Saadiq’s style of music. The man is talented and has constructed and album that really is Instant Vintage.
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