- Audio CD (May 10, 2011)
- Original Release Date: 2011
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Columbia
- ASIN: B004LFO0HE
The new Raphael Saadiq “Stone Rollin'” is not up to par with Saadiq’s earlier work. I bought it blindly and was greatly disappointed. On this, his fifth studio album, Saadiq takes the old school thing too far and has created a hot mess. Of the ten songs – half are misses. The opening backup chorus in “Good Man” is particularly annoying! Fortunately, with I-Tunes, you can download the best and forget the rest. In this case, I would download “Just Don’t” an obvious homage to Stevie Wonder and the best track on the album, “Radio”,”Movin’ Down The Line”, and “Stone Rollin'”, and skip the rest.
The beauty of Saadiq’s previous outing, the 2008 hit ridden “The Way I See It“, is that the nostalgic flavor was encased in some truly great songs that became instant classics! Here Saadiq mixes experimental with old school by tossing a bunch of overdubbed sounds into an experimental mixer with off key singing from the backup singers and a cacophony of beats! Problem is, the attempt did not produce any memorable songs. Even guest appearances from TGATP fav, Robert Randolph, legendary Earth Wind and Fire pianist Larry Dunn and indie rock fav, Yukimi Nagano of Little Dragon do not save this one. Oddly, something warned me to check “Stone Rollin'” out before buying it. But I am such a Saadiq fan that I had Faith. TGATP is veeeerrryyy disappointed! Will definitely not blindly purchase this artist again.
