He pulled off a concept album.

because man i been waiting for new Saadiq

woke up in the middle of the night last night because...well that seems to be what i do these days, but i was like snap lemme DL the new RS and throw in in the library for my commute in the morning, er a few hours.

anyway. i dont know i didnt catch the vibe. i know what its about. So i guess i wasn't be surprised by the darkness of the record but...but moreso it just felt way more inaccessible than the single led me to believe it would be.

The soundscapes hes creating are definitely masterful and artistic - but theres an ease and a beauty that Ive come to expect from RS music that is missing for me here. Like you know when listening to music feels like work?

I get all of the points you mentioned. This isn't an album I wanted him to make either, but it is absolutely clear that he wanted to make this. The theme of addiction, loss and struggle is lustrous. I am made to feel the protagonist understands the prison they created for themselves, but somehow can't stop feeling pride at their creation.

but im 100% on board w this record now
had it on repeat all weekend

you nailed it - this wasnt the album i wanted him to make, so i wasn't giving it the right kind of listen at first

I have to sit with the lyrics more to see if he pulls off the concepts, but on first listen “Jimmy Lee” is a damn fine album. Give it a listen.

Edited to give a special shoutout to that Saul Williams’ poem!!! He did the damn thing!

Peace,

Spirit (Alan)
http://wutangbook.com

Peace,

Spirit (Alan)
http://wutangbook.com

Peace,

Spirit (Alan)
http://wutangbook.com

I really liked every song. Saadiq knows how to make and produce MUSIC.

Only song I skipped after the first hook was "Belongs to God".

werd.

the dark moods should've been expected. He does quite a bit with less, at times it feels like a blues record-both Delta and Chicago electric. This is a really emotive record and I hope y'all give it the "I played it a few more times and it grew on me" treatment some of you give the dumb ass albums that get played for a few months and discarded.

It’s uneven. But I’ve only listened once. I will absolutely be revisiting, hell I preordered the signed vinyl

Written for Brian Grant. While Raph was in Sac.

As a Sacramento native and Kings fan—I’M ALL IN.

Love the album. It’s the only thing that pulled me away from Taylor Swift’s new LP 😎

From: https://ew.com/music/2019/08/21/anatomy-of-a-song-raphael-saadiq-jimmy-lee/

There’s No Place Like Home

Saadiq wrote “Something Keeps Calling” in his mother’s house in Sacramento. “I took my portable studio to her house and sat at the table,” he says. “She would see me work. I’d have my headphones in and then I’d take them out so she could hear what I’m doing.” The track was written for his dear friend, retired professional basketball player Brian Grant, who struggled with opioid addiction. “He has Parkinson’s disease so he has anxiety challenges,” Saadiq says. “I was around him when he’d be okay and then he would binge, he would be missing, and then he would call me and apologize. I’d be like ‘You ain’t gotta apologize to me. I’m your boy forever, it don’t matter what you go through.’” The song is about the notion of wanting to do right, “but not tonight,” as he sings on it. “He’s doing good now,” Saadiq says of his friend. “He’s got a lot of love around him.”

I didn’t even know he had substance abuse issues.

is my early favorite.

That song is uncut raw

Fact! CD is available at Moods Music in Atlanta Georgia

Bumpin in the STEREO:
Gladys Knight&The Pips
Angela Bofill-Love In Slow Motion
Babyface-Lovers
Midnight Star-Still Standing

Some of these songs hit so close to home. I listened to something keeps calling me... then played it again and had a hard time getting through it....

I would love for this to be a mini movie as well.

So much good music has come out lately. this might go down as one of the best years in music but only time will tell.

damn got me out here "singing" along to "Belongs To God"

Lovin it...well executed. More than anything though, just love to see a legend like Sadiq releasing quality material...

America has imported more warlord theocracy from Afghanistan than it has exported democracy.

Was super disappointed until I realized the new joint is Jimmy Lee.

Stone rollin' was not my cup of tea, bit just off the first track Jimmy Lee sounds much better.

The more I listen to it the more I like it.

>The more I listen to it the more I like it.


its a grower not a shower lol