Disco de Raphael Saadiq: “Instant Vintage”

As with most brilliant concepts, Neo-Soul has begun its ineveitable slide into cliche. Not the concept itself, but the desire to slap the label on everything even remotely related to it. In light of that, the next logical step is the backlash against neo-soul. As much as we all would like to deny it, invariably the industry's desire to capitalize will triumph, at least in part over the purity and genius of the original concept. If rock-and-roll and hip-hop were not immune, neo-soul, for all it's noble aspirations, will fare no differently.

Instant Vintage, Raphael Saadiq's debut solo effort, is a brave attempt to stave off neo-soul's descent. It is lush and diverse in sound, linked only by Saadiq's signature phrasing. By now you most likely have already heard the brilliant duo with D'Angelo, "You Should Be Here", reason alone to buy the album. Duets with Angie Stone and T-Boz (TLC) are also worthy highlights. Most notable in this effort is a deft two-step away from the typical musical fare of recent neo-soul releases. There is a song featuring a tuba, a move any good marching band afficianado can appreciate. Those who long for Lucy Pearl, will appreciate this album, as will those of us who still remember Tony, Toni, Tone'.

Of course, this is not a holiday offering; however, if anyone wants to give a "gift that keeps on giving", then "Instant Vintage" should satisfy the fan of true R & B.

Saadig's 2002 Grammy-winning release is exactly as others have stated: a neo-soul masterpiece. The listener can relish in Saadig's unique voice and lyrical poetry. Saadig is obviously influenced by the likes of Marvin Gaye, Sly Stone, Al Green, Isaac Hayes and Curtis Mayfield, and the use of the South Central Chamber Orchestra harkens back to the days of Motown when string backgrounds brought an air of sophistication to soul music.

In an album full of favorite tracks, I must praise "Faithful", a song whose title is self-explanatory for all those fellows that think being a "playa" is the way.

If I can influence even one person to invest in this astronomical release, then I have done my job.

Certainly, Saadig has done his in crafting one of the best albums of the new millennium!

We've waited all of this time for this project and I feel as though it hasn't lived up to its expectations. Raphael has too much talent to just passify the public with this display of what he calls his best project. He is an awesome artist with style and range that wasn't illustrated on this project. It's just OK, but if you really wanted to put this CD up against his past projects with TONY, TONY, TONE.....then you would clearly see that he hasn't elivated his style to the level that we all are waiting for. Call it as you hear it. Its Just OK!

Without a doubt, Raphael Saadiq is a talented musician. As unofficial leader of Tony Toni Tone, he helped keep alive real instrumentation and music throughout the New Jack era of R&B. Raphael has always seemed happier working with other people, rarely stepping out into the world on his own in spite of his immense talent. After working with TTT for so many years he ended up jumping from band to band (Linwood Rose, Lucy Pearl, collaborations with Q-Tip) and doing production and co-writing on some of the most important soul records of the last seven years. (e.g. D'Angelo's "Lady"). Although it was obvious that he had a following, for some reason, Saadiq took fifteen years to finally step out completely on his own, and take total control of a project.

Maybe it was his upbringing as the youngest in such a large family that made it so natural for him to seek out collaboration, and he stays true to this formula on his debut solo LP, Instant Vintage. The paradoxical sounding title of an album in the equally confounding genre of "gospeldelic" as Ray refers to his own music style. Ray is a master of bringing together input and influences from elsewhere and finding something new and exciting in the interactions. (think of the mixture of the beautiful violin and hard hitting drums of TTT's "Anniversary"). Instant Vintage is full of this kind of juxtaposition. Open up the liner notes to Instant Vintage and you will find that this album has no less then 7 producers and co-producers, 18 writers, and over 25 musicians not counting orchestras. With such a diverse group of characters its amazing that the album could have a cohesive sound, but Raphael pulls it off. It appears that what makes Raphael a true talent is his ability to pull artistry from others to blend with his always funky guitar and signature vocal sound.

Each song is a complete piece in itself and Raphael pulls some exciting performances out of his collaborators:

The lead single "Be Here" features the vocal talents of D'Angelo singing over some funky scratches and flute with a kind of Bay Area cool that sounds refreshing for D. But D'Angelo is capable and his signature gospel quartet influenced vocal arrangements are present.

On the track "Still Ray", Raphael reaches back into his days of playing in the marching bad at Jackson State University. Anyone will tell you that the tubas (or sousaphones) drive the bass line and create all the funk for that unmistakable black college marching band sound and Raphael captures a bit of the magic with an inspired tuba featured on the track.

Calvin Richardson and Angie Stone join in with Raphael on the vocals on "Excuse Me" exchanging the lead literally interrupting each other with the phrase excuse me as they all cut in on each other. In what sounds almost like a hip hop freestyle session being performed by vocalists, all three vocalists blend their unique sounds together in a track that always ends too soon.

In one of the most surprisingly touching collaborations on the album, Ray pulls out a heartfelt story of struggle, survival, hope and optimism with Tionne Watkins (T-Boz of TLC). The pop princess shows why TLC has lasted so long as she draws you in with the sincerity of her chorus. Although the recording of this song predates the untimely passing of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes the calamities of both singers (the early deaths of four siblings for Saadiq and a lifelong battle with sickle cell anemia for Watkins) are the driving force(s) behind the track.

On the opening track, Saadiq is described as an `eclectic brother' and this title fits well. The album is truly eclectic and upon the first listen one is almost overwhelmed with how many directions the music goes in. The blues guitar on "Blind Man" the doo-wop ode to marijuana on "OPH", the hip hop interludes courtesy of DJ Hi Tek, the acoustic soul of "What's Life Like", the seduction of "Body Parts", the intoxicating rhythm of "Skyy, Can You Feel Me". The album gives you a taste of everything. If you are the kind of person that likes one kind of cereal or one clothing store or one anything, you may find it hard to appreciate this album. One or two songs may reverberate with you and the rest will seem to be too left of center or traditional or whatever. You might be confused about what identity Raphael Saadiq is trying to put forth. But if you are the type that likes the variety pack and hits every store in the mall, than Instant Vintage will be right up your alley. Although it will Insatantly grab you...it will get better with each listen becoming truly Vintage material. Enjoy.

I had this CD about 2weeks before it's release date. It was difficult for me to fill this one because I was still groovin' to the new "Julie Dexter" - Dexterity, "Domu"- Up&Down and "GiantStep Records"- Soulsessions. But hey, it only took one train ride in Atlanta with my headphones on, from Lenux station to East Point station for me to realize my dilatory tactics wasn't in tune to what I was missing out on. Saadiq covers soul from the past, present and way into the future with this "Vintage" product. Saadiq's influences are most apparent on songs such as "Body Parts," with its "Across 110th Street" vibe, and "Make My Day," which could be considered an artistic interpretation of Gaye's "Inner City Blues." Saadiq's references won't surprise anyone, who have followed him from the R&B giants Tony! Toni! Toné! to soul supergroup Lucy Pearl, but with Instant Vintage, he does more than just lift from '70s classics. Here, he offers a complete smorgasbord of funk, soul, and R&B, soaring with urban radio-ready songs such as the Dr. Dre-inspired "Still Ray," which samples the hip-hop producer's piano-tapping instrumental "Still Dre. The joint that got me wide open is "sky".......nothing better than a soul track that forces you to the dance floor. Istant Vintage has many, many tight gems, but not all, that's why I gave it 4 stars.

YOU NEED THIS CD!!

oNe