by Raphael Saadiq
Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and record producer Raphael Saadiq is set to release his fifth studio album ‘Stone Rollin’’ on May 20, 2011. Known for defying the confines of working within one genre, this standard bearer for "old school" R&B returns with a new release that celebrates the classic sounds of 60’s and 70’s soul with a futuristic twist.
‘Stone Rollin’’ is the follow up to Saadiq's 2008 solo album ‘The Way I See It’, which boasted four Billboard R&B chart singles and was nominated for three GRAMMY Awards including Best R&B Album. His previously critically acclaimed solo albums include ‘Instant Vintage’ in 2002 which was nominated for five GRAMMY Awards and ‘Ray Ray’ in 2004. With the release of ‘The Way I See It’, Raphael Saadiq truly made his mark as a touring artist, striking a universal chord with audiences around the world through multiple performances at festival dates throughout Europe and the States -- including Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza, SXSW and Voodoo Experience-- as well as a recent opening slot on the Dave Matthews Band’s amphitheatre tour. Now with his new collection ‘Stone Rollin’’, Saadiq nods to his heroes like Chuck Berry, Stevie Wonder, Little Walter and Sly Stone, while merging his own contemporary twist, one born out of a combination of his recent touring experiences, as well as inspiration derived from indie acts that hold regular rotation in his ipod. The end result is a collection that showcases Saadiq’s gifted musicality and the stellar production skills that have become the artist’s signature.
The new album ‘Stone Rollin’’, written and produced by Saadiq, was recorded at his studio complex the Blakeslee Recording Company in Los Angeles, Raphael Saadiq played bass, mellotron, keys, guitar, percussion and even drums on most of the tracks.
Raphael Saadiq says of the recording “Both the attraction and reaction to my music from my listeners has giving me all that I need to continue pushing the envelope and making music that wakes and rocks the soul of many. Its ready, I'm ready, and I know the world is ready, Lets all go Stone Rollin."
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