The Way I See It (CD - 2008)

Personnel: Raphael Saadiq (vocals, guitar, sitar, piano, bass guitar, drums); Charles "CJ" Hilton, Jr. (vocals, piano, drums, bongos); Joss Stone (vocals); Paul Baker , Maurice Draughn, Paul Baker (harp); Assa Drori, Al Hershberger, Rocío Marron, Joe Ketendjian, Anatoly Rosinsky, Johana Krejci, Raphael Price, Marla Smith, Daniel Stachyra, Melody Wootton, Kyoko Kashiwagi, Constance Markwick, Sally Berman, Elizabeth Rowin, Robert Brosseau, Molly Hughes, Elizabeth Wilson, Andrew Wu, Agnes Gottschewski, Armen Garabedian (violin); Jerry Epstein, Shanda Lowery, Lynn Grants, Karolina Naziemiec, Jody Robin, Leah Lucas, John Madison, Scott Stefanko, Raymond Tischer, Robert Berg (viola); Maurice Grants, Christina Soule, Judith VanderWeg, Vahe Jayrikyan, Miguel Martinez, Robert Reed (cello); Stevie Wonder (harmonica); Greg Curtis (piano, organ, Wurlitzer organ); Jack Ashford (vibraphone, shaker, tambourine, bells); Bobby Ozuna (drums, bongos, shaker, tambourine); Gerry Brown .

Audio Mixers: Charles "Biscuits" Brungardt; Raphael Saadiq.

Recording information: Blakeslee Recording Company, North Hollywood, CA; Harmonie Park Studios, Detroit, MI; The Music Shed Studios, New Orleans, LA.

Photographer: Norman Seeff.

Former Tony! Toni! Tone! member Raphael Saadiq proved he could push his sound in new and intriguing ways on solo albums like INSTANT VINTAGE, mixing in soul, gospel, and contemporary flourishes. Saadiq plants his foot more firmly in the past on 2008's THE WAY I SEE IT, offering up a set that recalls the classic sound of Motown and other Northern soul from the 1960s. Melody and groove are paramount on these songs, making each a little soul-pop nugget complete with old-school arrangements (it sounds as though Motown's the Funk Brothers are backing Saadiq throughout). In addition to excellent material, the singer welcomes Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Joss Stone, and the Rebirth Brass Band as guests. minimize