Raphael Saadiq

Rafael Saadiq Goes Solo

After founding and producing Tony! Toni! Tone! (whose five albums sold over six million records worldwide), forming and producing Lucy Pearl (whose album was certified Gold and was nominated for a Grammy Award, an American Music Award, two Soul Train Awards and two NAACP Awards), followed by work with such artists as Ginuwine, The Isley Brothers, Kenny Lattimore, Joi, Angie Stone and Macy Gray (all of whom have projects out now), as well as TLC, Kelly Price and Jonell (whose albums are coming out later this year), Raphael Saadiq is finally ready to venture out on his own.

"Be Here," the enchanting first single from RAPHAEL SAADIQ's first-ever solo album Instant Vintage is set for a June 19 release on Universal Records.

A video for the song was recently shot on location in Los Angeles and at SAADIQ's own Blakeslee Recording Company studio complex, with SAADIQ at the director's helm (his first time behind the camera). The clip made its debut on BET Friday, March 15 as part of the "106 & Park" program, with debuts on MTV and VH1 the week of March 18. Making an appearance in the song and the video is fellow visionary D'Angelo, but this isn't the first time he and SAADIQ have worked together. SAADIQ produced "Untitled" from D'Angelo's VOODOO album, which won "Best Male R&B Vocal Performance" at the 2000 Grammy Awards. "D'Angelo and I always create magic on his records," says SAADIQ. "You can expect the same playeristic soul searching on this album."

"Gospeldelic" is the term SAADIQ uses to describe the sound of INSTANT VINTAGE. "'Gospeldelic' is the sound of my music," he explains, "and it really means all of those things to me. I come from a gospel background, and the psychedelic, and the funkadelic -- it's in me. And you feel that." The 19-track album is a rewardingly complex blend of soul, R&B, hip-hop, funk, rock, jazz, and doo-wop, rich with inventive bass lines, intricate harmonizing, and colorful strings. The songs were written entirely by SAADIQ, who produces, sings, and plays numerous instruments, including a little bit of goofy tuba. Guests include Angie Stone (singing background on "Doing What I Can," and the duet "Excuse Me"), T-Boz of TLC ("Different Times"), producer/hip-hop artist Hi-Tek ("Hi-Tek #1" and "Hi-Tek #2"), and SAADIQ's older brother, Randy Wiggins, singing on "People."

The collection's play-on-words title itself reflects this. "A friend of mine said that people who look for vinyl treat all records like vintage pieces, even if they're new, because vinyl is so not the thing anymore," he says. "This record has a lot of music on it, a lot of footage [that evokes the past], so we felt that, the minute you get this album on vinyl, it's INSTANT VINTAGE."

The industry buzz of RAPHAEL SAADIQ’s first-ever solo album, INSTANT VINTAGE has officially started. Here’s what some tastemakers from all facets of the music business are saying.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE (*NSYNC)
Raphael’s got too much vibe! That explains why there are so many tracks on the record. Great listen, great string arrangements, LOVE IT!!

SNOOP DOGG
Raphael has put together a slick album of classic soul with that modern street twist...oooh wee!

ANGIE STONE
Raphael is one of the two soul warriors left in the game. Being an extraordinary artist, producer and songwriter, he is one of my most accomplished partners. I am extremely proud to be down with Raphael. INSTANT VINTAGE is resurrection of real soul. INSTANT VINTAGE is Instant Value.

JAMIE FOXX
INSTANT VINTAGE is brilliant and innovative, it’s what the world needs. Raphael’s music is necessary

USHER
Raphael’s solo album has been long over due!

ANDRE 3000 (OUTKAST)
It never rains in Southern California, but if it did this is what it would sound like.