So Raphael Saadiq (above) has a new cd “The Way I See It” and he recently performed twice at SOB’s in New York City. The second show of which I was able to attend. I’ve been a fan of Raphael for many years now as many of you probably are as well but I have never seen him perform live.

Now I can’t imagine not seeing him live. The show was structured to fit the album which is a direct homage to the Soul music of the ’60’s and early ’70’s. The music of Motown in particular. From the very beginning of the set where Raphael was introduced and a recording of the late Marvin Gaye singing the national anthem at the 1982 NBA All-Star Game was played we knew this was going to be something different. The the band started playing and the background singers hit the stage doing choreographed moves that was inspired directly from The Temptations and other groups of that era. Raphael came out and the music sounded just like the songs that we listened to our parents play from that Motown age. Raphael’s voice was perfect for the sound and he was dressed the part, suit, tie and glasses that made him look a little bit like a young Marvin Gaye. If you’ve seen the video for his single “Love That Girl” (watch the video here [1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMiBL5BgW7Q), he looks like that.

Let me not give you the impression that this was some type of retro show. I t was a show that made clear that Raphael Saadiq is a true soul man for this generation. He sang all of the songs that we know and love from his days with Tony! Toni! Toné!, Lucy’s Pearl, and songs from his solo cd’s “Instant Vintage” and the overlooked yet incredible “Ray, Ray.” The great thing is how all the songs fit into that classic soul sound. As I mentioned to someone who had seen the show the first night he performed at SOB’s, it goes to show that he has always had that sound, all of his music is created in that timeless way that harkens back to the days of Motown or the music of Al Green in his prime.

I don’t remember Raphael doing a lot of performing over the years, particularly as a solo artist. He has released his cd’s independently until now and became the first solo artist to receive Grammy Award nominations as an independent artist, but this time his cd is on Columbia Records and though the record business is in serious crisis mode this should be one that Columbia can slam out of the park. The cd is great and the live show is incredible. Energetic, Fun, filled with great music, not a dull moment at all and the musicianship is outstanding.

Raphael is scheduled to tour with John Legend in November and December (see dates here [2] http://www.raphaelsaadiq.com/ click on calendar) and I urge all lovers of great music to check it out. John Legend better be on his game because if he’s not then Raphael is gonna steal the show every night!