The Way I See It

Originally released in 2008, Raphael Saadiq's album The Way I See It is satisfying for both old school soul heads and today's R&B crowd, drawing inspiration from the styles of the Motown Sound and Philly Soul. His background as a musician, singer, and songwriter is steeped in a love for R&B married with a commitment to making his own brand of expressive soul music. Born and raised in Oakland, California, he learned to play guitar, drums, and bass at age 6, making bass his preferred instrument. Singing with a professional gospel group by the time he was nine, Raphael's musical education encompassed classical music, '40s spirituals, hymns, Jazz, plus R&B. From his early days as a member of the groundbreaking '80s group Tony! Toni! Toné!, through his work as an award-winning producer of such artists as Joss Stone, the Roots, Snoop Dogg, John Legend, among many others, and his own solo albums, the multi-talented Raphael Saadiq has kept the faith.