In the middle of a heatwave, nothing could turn music lovers away from Central Park on a Saturday afternoon. Young and old gathered to enjoy as SummerStage and Giant StepRaphael Saadiq presented the music of headliner singer/songwriter/producer.I have been a fan of Raphael Saadiq since he started his career as one third of the group Toni! Tony! Tone! and later Lucy Pearl. His voice has remained unique and unmatched in R&B throughout his solo career. As a songwriter/producer he has worked with many of my favorite artists such as Joss Stone, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, D’Angelo, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige and the list goes on. I went prepared, three bottles of nearly frozen ice cold water, and my dancing shoes! From the moment Raphael Saadiq stepped on the stage dressed in an all white tailored suit and accompanied by a ten-piece band, all in attendance were on their feet. The temperature rose, not from the sun, but from every note that came out of Raphael’s mouth. He has a voice that is as smooth as Eddie Kendricks, no wonder every woman of any age was swooning. He took the crowd on a journey through the roots of his musical influences blending a retro Motown R&B sound with Rock and Neo-Soul, proving his versatility as an artist. Although his performance was majority made up of songs from his third solo album, The Way I See It, and my least favorite from his extensive catalogue, he didn’t let the crowd down.
He brought back memories of a time when I found a renewed love for R&B as he performed a medley of Tony! Toni! Tone! classics such as Lay Your Head on My Pillow, It Never Rains in Southern California, Me and You, Feels Good and a crowd favorite, Anniversary. If that wasn’t enough, many found themselves doing a two-step with the one they were with as he performed Dance Tonight from Lucy Pearl and Sky, Can You Feel Me from Instant Vintage. Raphael’s performance was a confirmation that R&B, more specifically Neo-Soul, is still alive and ever growing in this musical age of auto-tune pop songs. He remains a testament to originality, creativity and is a fine example of what a true talented artist should be.
