Review by Jameta Barlow

When people say there isn’t any good music on the radio. I say that’s because the radio station DJs haven’t heard Raphael Saadiq’s new album, The Way I See It.. It’s an amazing album that takes me back to my parent’s basement, filled with dusty albums. From the popular and polished Motown Records and the soulful and stirring Stax Records, where love is the inviting topic and our ears are the hungry audience.

One cannot help but think of Smokey Robinson’s lyrics and style (and Eddie Kendricks’ smooth voice) on the cut, Sure Hope you Mean It. Saadiq continues this sharing of love and the hope that the sentiment is reciprocated. While 100 Yard Dash compares the act of falling in love and continuing to love someone, to the popular track sport (while using his high tenor voice),  Keep Marchin’ gives inspiration and reminds you to continue to keep marching on even when you want to give up in life.  

Appropriately titled, Big Easy, one immediately thinks of the great music found in New Orleans. This wild cut could have been played at a jook joint back in the day, but is totally relevant for today and forces you to start tapping your toes with your shoes, snapping your fingers and then you discover you are swaying side to side. Let’s Take A Walk talks of getting close and personal with that special someone. The song has a Stax records feel which reminds you of artists like Rufus, Carla Thomas, Otis Redding, and Same & Dave.

Remember when all you wanted to do was hold the hand of your childhood crush? Or just get that one kiss?  And you thought your life had changed because of that “puppy-dog” type love feeling that makes your stomach fall. But it feels good and is so beautiful that singer Joss Stone joins Saadiq on Just One Kiss. This cut reminds R&B/Soul enthusiasts of the Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell collaborations and is one of my favorites on this smooth R&B album. Stevie Wonder and his infamous harmonica is featured, along with CJ Hilton, on Never Give You Up in a great collaborative effort. The song tells the story of determination to save a relationship and the ensuing love ever present in persistence.

My absolute favorite cut, Love That Girl, has the flavor of the Supremes and the Temptations and talks about how one you love can make you feel. And, Calling is an earnest plea for a love to answer the phone and return home. With a doo-wop feel, this song incorporates the Spanish language. Another favorite, Staying In Love reminds you “how easy it is to fall in love but staying in love is too tricky.” Saadiq’s musicianship shines on this cut. Sometimes holds onto that emotion of hurt, love, reality, and coping wrapped up in one cut where the background vocals are an essential element to the song.

There are two versions of Oh Girl on this track. Both are very good. But you are immediately grabbed by Jay-Z’s lyrics on the “remixed” Oh Girl, with his signature “Uh, uh, uh…oh girl,” at the beginning The song is a wonderful marriage of ol’ school meets new school and infuses hip hop. Definitely one of my favorites, I guarantee this song will bring together generations.

What is most stunning about this album is that most of the songs are 2 to 4 minutes long only and seem to capture a time period that made a great impact on music worldwide.  This album delivers on content and style, and has the ability to change the face of soul music. Most importantly, it has created a canvas of appreciation, innovation and love of music.