If you know anything about R&B, you know about Rapahel Saadiq, even if you’ve never heard the guy’s name before. But you should’ve heard his name before, even if you haven’t, and if you don’t know anything about R&B I’m going to introduce you to Raphael Saadiq anyway. Because you should definitely know his name, even if you don’t.
You see what I’m sayin’?
In a historical sense, Saadiq was the lead singer and bass player for the multi-platinum group Tony! Toni! Toné!, who had quite a bit of success in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, and then later joined up with former members of En Vogue and A Tribe Called Quest to form a one-time R&B super-group known as Lucy Pearl. They, too, were rife with badassery.
It was his first solo album, however, that I found to be particularly interesting. With complete control over the production of 2002’s “Instant Vintage,” Saadiq did some crazy stuff with basslines, everything from heavy synths to the plug-in bass to the stand-up bass to the freakin’ tuba. The bassline is such an underrated—and often underwhelming—aspect of music that it was extremely refreshing to see someone being so playful with the possibilities low-register instruments can provide.
Plus, “You Should Be Here,” which features D’Angelo, was one of the most ridiculous songs of ’02. Sick beat, smooth vocals, and, of course, a bassline that swims all over the place. Other notable tracks include “Charlie Ray,” “People,” and “Still Ray” (the one with the tuba).
The album earned tons of accolades, including five Grammy nominations and tons of spots on varying “Best Of” lists. It is, in Saadiq’s own words, “gospedelic,” and certainly worthy of a purchase.
His 2008 record, “The Way I See It,” is the business, too. But that’s too modern for throwback status. We’ll save that for another day. In the meantime, be glad you know Raphael Saadiq’s name. You know a little more about R&B and neo-soul, because you should.
And now you do.
Check out the video for “Be Here,” featuring D’Angelo:
Grab the full “Instant Vintage” album over at Amazon:
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For those of you who don’t know me, I’m a HUGE fan of the 90’s. Something about it makes me remember the good old days when I could share my teenage angst with Nirvana or ponder life questions like “How’s it gonna be?” with Third Eye Blind. But perhaps one of the staples of my 90’s collection was a band started by the son of one of the greatest musicians of this or any generation: Bob Dylan. I am, of course, talking about Jakob Dylan and The Wallflowers.
But why were The Wallflowers so great? I’m glad I asked. The Wallflowers have a warm, soulful sound that lends the vocal qualities of Jakob Dylan (which are not completely unlike his father’s vocal qualities.) Perhaps their most popular album (and my personal favorite) is Bringing Down the Horse which brought us “One Headlight” and “6th Avenue Heartache”. Both songs appeared on the charts in the golden year of 1996, with two more singles released from the same album the following year.
Jakob Dylan has since moved on to solo projects since their final album in 2005, but with the release of a greatest hits album due to release this month, the band is up to re-unite for a nationwide tour this year. Should this happen, I can assure you that I’ll be there singing all of the words I can remember (it was the 90’s after all.) Make sure you stay up-to-date with their website for the latest tour updates. In the meantime, enjoy this throwback video for “6th Avenue Heartache”. You’re welcome.
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I’ve got this mix I put together about five years ago which I creatively titled “Life Altering Songs,” comprised of completely random songs that just so happened to be on heavy rotation in my CD player (remember those?) when I was going through some sort of relevant rite of passage in my life.
For example, “On Bended Knee” by Boyz II Men is on the list because that’s the song I danced to with my first big crush at a junior high dance. “Blue on Black” by Kenny Wayne Shepherd burned all summer long in the months immediately following my high school graduation. And “I Just Wanna Be Loved” by AM Radio hit me as I began my student teaching experience and fell out of love with a college girlfriend.
There’s a lot of emotional reminiscence wrapped up in that song, folks, but it wouldn’t mean half as much if the song itself wasn’t absolutely perfect musically. It simultaneously reminds me of something from the 1960s and the 1990s, despite the fact that AM Radio’s album “Radioactive” was recorded in 2003. It rocks, but it’s under control. The hook hits with a melody that turned into earworms more times than I can count. It’s one of the few times in my life that I’ve been able to put a song on repeat and just let it run.
I seriously love the song.
The rest of the album is solid, too. It’s early millennium pop-rock, like something in between Hoobastank and the Juliana Theory, and every song on the record has legitimate toe-tapping potential. Highlighted by “Hush,” “This is the End of the World,” and “Becoming You,” the album is definitely worthy of some extended play on an iPod. Or CD player, if you do, in fact, remember those.
Trimmed down to two members and experimenting with a new musical style with 2009’s “Bigger Better Bolder Brighter,” but it’s “Radioactive” that holds such a special place in my heart and my memories. Maybe if my dog dies or something while I’m listening to the new record I’ll find a way to get it into regular rotation, but for now “I Just Wanna Be Loved” will remain my favorite AM Radio song.
All “jam bands” that have been ripping it up on the top 40 charts and at house parties owe their success to the Spin Doctors. The doctors of spin dominated the early 90’s with a blend of commercially accepted rock, funk and straight up jamming. Pocket Full of Kryptonite became their career defining album when it hit the airwaves in 1991, and it forever left its mark on pop culture.
I recently rediscovered Pocket Full of Kryptonite as I was cleaning up and purging my expansive music collection. The Spin Doctors’ disc was actually wedged under Kris Kross’ Totally Krossed Out (don’t judge me). After I swung my pants back around facing forward I dove in and was reminded why I enjoyed the Spin Doctors so much. Lead singer Chris Barron’s playful voice highlights an album that is all about having fun and enjoying life through music. Listening to tracks like “Two Princes” acts like a time machine and takes me back to the early 90’s. Not the angst of grunge that was soon to follow, but the summer fun and frivolity of the time.
Over the years the Spin Doctors have released a hand full of records, but none of them were ever able to match the commercial success of Pocket Full Of Kryptonite. The guys have reunited from time to time to dust off the classics, but many of them have taken up other projects to express their musical talents. Speaking of other projects…were you aware that when the Spin Doctors first started in the 1980’s they were called the Trucking Company? Yeah, and one of the original members was a dude named John Popper. Pretty cool, huh? That would explain why the Spin Doctors have spent a lot of stage time with Blues Traveler over the years. Thanks to Wikipedia we all are a little smarter today. Welcome the Spin Doctors back in to your life. They will make you happy.
KC’s Personal Picks: “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues”, “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong”, “Two Princes” and “Shinbone Alley/Hard to Exist” which features Popper.
Check out the colorful video for “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong”
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You know those things you remember from your childhood that pretty much sum up all of your growing up in its entirety? Could be a Red Flyer wagon or a Louisville Slugger or the smell of a homemade apple pie. For me, it’s Buena Vista Social Club. I grew up with this album. I also grew up with Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Billy Joel and James Taylor, but this album sticks out for the unique accent it put on my father’s musical selection. Not to say that the other artists lack a unique style, but when you are child still expanding your musical selections, something like Buena Vista Social Club really sticks out.
The recording (it’s not so much a band as a recording) was named after a prominent members club in Havana, Cuba (pronounced Coo-ba to the layman.) The original recording actually included musicians that played at the club during its prime in the 1940’s. The whole album has this vintage, better times sound that, in my opinion, is one of the best feelings an album has offered to me in a while. It is almost the equivalent to sitting back and listening to a Frank Sinatra album with a great bottle of scotch and a cigar. Except with a hint of fiesta.
The opening track “Chan Chan” is one of their most popular and one of my personal favorites. Listen to this album in the summertime with a glass of lemonade and a straw hat (I’m not sure what the straw hat is for, but it seems like it fits.) Even though I have no idea what they are saying, although I should I took 7 years of Spanish, the music speaks to me, and I’m certain it will speak to you too.
Check out this classic video for “Chan Chan”:
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