Raphael Saadiq

• Rating

Raphael Saadiq gigs are special things. Those of you that will have been to one before will back up this sentiment. You witness a show from a man that's without doubt in the top 10 the last 15 years (you can pick your own starting 9 around him but for his body of work it can't be disputed. As good as his lps are, it's live that this man really makes his money, he was in an Earth Wind and Fire tribute band from the age of 12 and you can see why, a natural showman and performer - it really is a concert like no other. I'd been fortunate enough to see him 2 times before at the Jazz Cafe (2 feet from the stage in the "secret spot", debuting the new Ray Ray LP, multiple costume changes) and once at Indigo (London's best venue for visibility, comfort and sound and my boy Ch'ien was there too but slightly marred by the scene of grown women crying when he didn't play Skyy as the encore) so this show was a hard act to follow.. That's a perfect night out for me but I'd offer the following 7 thoughts. 1. As good as his last 2 LPs are, they tend to blend into one due to their similarity which leads to flat periods throughout the show. They get aired in the "insert new material" sections of the show. 2. We all know he NEEDS to bring out a "regular" Saadiq LP we love the vintage stuff (label insistence surely) the crowd reaction to classic Ray Ray vs the new material will tell you that. 3. Don't agree with the Dela Soul type move of him completely ditching material from his Ray Ray LP from his live show ( De La have criminally done the same with the people's favorite buhloone Mind state). It's a slept on classic and after seeing his play the whole LP when it dropped at the Jazz Cafe I can testify how well they work live. 4. The "Don't mess"-"Get Involved"-"Skyy" segway stands up against anything released over the past 15 years - no question - just a showcase of what he can do. The 80's souled up version of "Don't mess" with extra keys and synth sounded incredible - someone need to re-edit that now! 4. One song from Instant Vintage got aired - should have been ten 5. His encore was not Ray Ray enough. He came out and did an album track from Stone Rollin (admittedly in the top three) but came out dressed like a weird member of Creedance Cleerwater revival (so not like him). I don't like album track encores - they shouldn't happen. 6. The Jools Holland effect could be sensed in the crowd - 50% whiter than i'd seen at a Ray Ray show... 7. All the women over 35 (there was a fair few) came to hear some classic Toni Tony Tone - that's your demo man - you can't let them down - they'd go nuts

• Rating

great show - thx seatwave once again!