Ray Ray

Ray Ray is the second studio album by American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer Raphael Saadiq. It was released October 5, 2004, by his record label, Pookie Entertainment. After being dropped from Universal Records, Saadiq formed the label and recorded the album. He pursued a 1970s-inspired musical direction that was looser than his 2002 debut album, Instant Vintage, and produced Ray Ray with Michael Angelo, Jake and the Phatman, and Kelvin Wooten.

Ray Ray
Studio album by
Raphael Saadiq
ReleasedOctober 5, 2004 (2004-10-05)
Recorded2003–04
StudioBlakeslee Recording Company (North Hollywood)
Genre
Length49:03
Label
Producer
Raphael Saadiq chronology
Instant Vintage
(2002)		 Ray Ray
(2004)		 The Way I See It
(2008)
Singles from Ray Ray
  1. "Chic Like You"
    Released: 2004
  2. "I Want You Back"
    Released: 2004

Titled after Saadiq's childhood nickname, Ray Ray features funky, groove-oriented songs and Saadiq's characteristic fusion of programmed beats, strings, neo soul melodies, and live guitar. They are arranged in a song cycle and touch on lighthearted romantic themes and socially conscious messages.

The album debuted at number 86 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, but fell off the next week. It received generally positive reviews from music critics. Although some were ambivalent towards its loose blaxploitation concept and Saadiq's songwriting, critics praised the album's production quality and vintage musical approach. It is currently out of print.

Background

In 2002, Saadiq released his debut solo album Instant Vintage, which received critical acclaim and earned him five Grammy Award nominations.[1] However, despite attaining a following among listeners in Europe, it was largely ignored by contemporary R&B listeners in the United States and did not sell well.[2][3] After its release, he was dropped by his record label Universal Records.[4]

Saadiq subsequently formed his own label, Pookie Entertainment, on which he released the double live album All Hits at the House of Blues in 2003.[5] The live album showcased Saadiq's solo material and songs he recorded as a part of Tony! Toni! Toné! during the late 1980s and 1990s.[6] Saadiq also continued working as a producer for other recording artists, including Erykah Badu, Kelis, Jill Scott, Nappy Roots, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sunshine Anderson, and Jaguar Wright.[2]

Recording and production
Teedra Moses (pictured in 2007) duetted with Saadiq on two of the album's songs.

Having fulfilled his creative ambition with Instant Vintage, he sought a looser direction for a follow-up studio album.[5] He said of the direction for Ray Ray in an interview for Rolling Stone, "You only get to make a first statement one time, and I had definite ideas of how I wanted it to sound. Ray Ray represents a more fun side of what I do. I wanted to have a good time with it."[5] In an interview for The Baltimore Sun, Saadiq discussed the inspiration behind the album's blaxploitation concept:

I was watching some Rudy Ray Moore flicks, some Superfly and got to thinking that all this is a part of our history, you know? It seems more Caucasians use [black] images more than we do. Quentin Tarantino uses them in his movies, especially the '70s stuff ... With Ray Ray, I thought I could, you know, embrace that part of our history and those images from that time.[2]

Saadiq recorded the album with producers Michael Angelo, Focus..., and Jake and the Phatman, among others.[5] He also worked with singer-songwriter Joi, former Tony! Toni! Toné! member D'wayne Wiggins, singer-songwriter Teedra Moses, singer Dawn Robinson, formerly of Saadiq's other group Lucy Pearl,[5] singer-songwriter Babyface, and rapper Allie Baba, Saadiq's nephew.[7]

Music and lyrics
Clearly a man possessed by a bygone era, Saadiq transforms himself into a musical superhero, a good-natured, pseudopimp armed with a bass guitar and a tendency to fall instantly in love.

—Andrew Simon, Vibe[8]

The album contains a more funk-oriented sound than Instant Vintage,[7] accompanied by generally romantic and some message-oriented themes.[9] In comparison to his first album, Saadiq regarded Ray Ray as "more aggressive, more radio-friendly ... one of those good, Saturday-playing records".[10] Its music incorporates R&B, funk, and soul styles, along with elements of gospel and hip hop music.[11]

As with Instant Vintage, Ray Ray features Saadiq's characteristic fusion of programmed beats, strings, neo soul melodies, and live guitars.[7] The songs are mostly mid-tempo and groove-based,[12] and also feature rubbery bass lines and horns.[13] AllMusic's Andy Kellman views that the album's music is "a little funkier and a lot more energetic than 2002's Instant Vintage, yet just as full of Saadiq's stylish flourishes."[9] He writes of the album's subject matter, "for every song that's charmingly simple and full of lighthearted romantic sentiments, there's something message-oriented".[9] Ken Capobianco of The Boston Globe characterizes the album's mood as "playful" and writes that it is composed as "a bouncy song cycle that's a throwback to '70s funk."[13]

The album's first two tracks, "Blaxploitation" and "Ray Ray Theme", serve as audio vignettes introducing Saadiq's alter ego as the main character of a faux-Blaxploitation soundtrack.[7] The latter track has singer Joi calling upon the character, addressing him as "soul brother number one", to "shoot me with your bop gun".[8] Both songs help establish the character as a ladies' man with a penchant for fast cars.[13] However, the concept is not sustained in the following songs on the album.[3] "I Know Shuggie Otis" is a tribute to psychedelic recording artist Shuggie Otis and features a screeching guitar solo.[8] "This One" features orchestral pop and gleeful tones.[11] "Chic Like You" contains elements of G-funk,[8] gospel-styled, vocal "mmms" and fluid, funky keyboards.[3] Its lyrics depict sensual images: "She soaks in green tea lotion / Her legs are so outspoken".[8]

"Not a Game" features a spare hip hop beat and an emotional vocal delivery by Saadiq.[8] "Rifle Love" utilizes the sounds of barrel clicks and gunshots as a rhythm section in its chorus.[3][11] Both "Live Without You" and "I Want You Back" are pleas to an ex-lover and have romantic crooning by Saadiq over a gritty funk groove.[14] "I Want You Back" also features elements of Miami bass and electro-styled synthesizers.[3] Saadiq adopts a falsetto/high tenor singing voice on "Grown Folks".[9][14] It features socially conscious lyrics and a Latin-tinged arrangement.[14] "Save Us" has a theme of disillusionment and features sparse keyboard and a somber refrain.[8]

Title and packaging

The album was titled as a reference to his mother's nickname for him, also a childhood name.[5][10] Its cover artwork was inspired by the blaxploitation films of the 1970s.[9] It shows Saadiq dressed in a vintage cornflower blue suit, knicker pants, and lime green argyle socks, while leaning on a white 1967 Mercury Cougar.[2]

Release and sales

Ray Ray was released by Pookie Entertainment on October 5, 2004, in the United States.[15] That same year, two singles were released in promotion of the album: "Chic Like You" and "I Want You Back".[16][17] The album debuted at number 86 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart in the week of October 23.[18] It was the album's only appearance on the chart.[18] Ray Ray also spent eight weeks on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, on which it peaked at number 18.[18] It eventually went out of print in the U.S.[15] In France, the album charted for two weeks and reached number 145.[19]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
Entertainment WeeklyA–[12]
The Independent[4]
Paste[11]
Slant Magazine[7]
The Sunday Times[1]

Ray Ray was met with generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 66, based on six reviews.[20]

Reviewing the album in The Independent, Phil Johnson called it "madder and badder" than Saadiq's debut record and found its sound "more radical". "No one can distress a production like Raphael", he said, believing the singer's "multi-instrumental talents and Stevie Wonder-ish voice make him a Prince for the Noughties."[4] Andria Lisle of Paste commended Saadiq's "versatility" and found the album "softer than Cee-lo and sexier than Ricky Fanté".[11] Neil Drumming of Entertainment Weekly complimented Saadiq's "bass virtuosity" and "grown and sexy" vibe, although he viewed some of his songwriting as "amateur".[12] The Boston Globe's Ken Capobianco observed an "overriding sense of joy and mischief throughout jams", and found Saadiq's "musical exuberance ... infectious".[13] Although he found it lacking a "centerpiece track", Capobianco ultimately praised the album as a "funk" departure from most of the contemporary soul he found "studied and overly reverent".[13] Slant Magazine editor Sal Cinquemani found it flawed as a concept album, but commended Saadiq for "conjuring soul greats like Stevie Wonder ('Live Without You'), Curtis Mayfield ('Grown Folks'), and Prince ('I Know Shuggie Otis') throughout", and stated, "just because the storyline(s) ... ceases to exist after the first few songs that doesn't mean the rest of the tracks aren't good."[7] Geoffrey Himes of The Washington Post noted Saadiq for having "a rare gift for linking seductive melodies to slinky grooves" and stated, "Ray Ray is just a collection of disconnected songs ... failing to establish a narrative. But what terrific songs they are."[14]

Allmusic's Andy Kellman complimented its "varied" subject matter and wrote in summation, "Ray Ray occasionally loses focus, slipping into moments that are either undercooked or worthy of the cutting room, but it's enjoyable enough to keep his followers happy and will certainly act as a remedy for those who don't like the gold-bricked path being taken by mainstream R&B."[9] Ethan Brown of New York stated, "Despite its faults—and there are many ... Ray Ray is a startlingly inventive record", and found Saadiq "at his best when he revives the sad soul of Sam Cooke" on songs like "Not a Game".[3] Andrew Simon of Vibe found a "handful" of songs to be poorly conceived and viewed that the album's strength was Saadiq's "crisp" production and bass playing, writing that "On a dime, the thick tones of the multi-instrumentalist's weapon of choice go from low and rumbly to high and tight."[8] He ultimately commended Saadiq's intentions with the album's concept, stating "Ray Ray hits more than it misses in its celebration of a time when George was making the mothership connection and Marvin just wanted to get it on."[8]

Track listing
  • Credits adapted from liner notes.[21]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Blaxploitation"Bobby Ozuna, Raphael Saadiq, Glenn StandridgeRaphael Saadiq, Jake and the Phatman (co.)0:31
2."Ray Ray Theme" (featuring Joi)Joi Gilliam, Saadiq, Kelvin WootenRaphael Saadiq, Kelvin Wooten2:36
3."I Know Shuggie Otis"SaadiqRaphael Saadiq2:32
4."This One"Saadiq, Michael Angelo Saulsberry, Taura JacksonRaphael Saadiq, Michael Angelo3:34
5."Chic Like You" (featuring Allie Baba)Saadiq, Saulsberry, Alvie WigginsRaphael Saadiq, Michael Angelo4:01
6."Live Without You"Ozuna, Saadiq, StandridgeRaphael Saadiq, Jake and the Phatman (co.)4:49
7."Detroit Girl"Angelo, SaadiqRaphael Saadiq, Michael Angelo4:05
8."Not a Game" (featuring Babyface)Saadiq, Wooten, JacksonRaphael Saadiq, Kelvin Wooten2:58
9."Rifle Love" (featuring Tony! Toni! Toné! and Lucy Pearl)Saadiq, Wooten, JacksonRaphael Saadiq, Kelvin Wooten4:18
10."Chic" (featuring Teedra Moses)Teedra Moses, SaadiqRaphael Saadiq3:40
11."I Want You Back" (featuring Teedra Moses)Moses, Ozuna, Saadiq, StandridgeRaphael Saadiq, Jake and the Phatman (co.)3:48
12."I Love Her"Ozuna, Saadiq, StandridgeRaphael Saadiq, Jake and the Phatman (co.)4:33
13."Grown Folks"Ozuna, Saadiq, StandridgeRaphael Saadiq, Jake and the Phatman (co.)4:21
14."Save Us"SaadiqRaphael Saadiq3:13
15."Scream" (UK bonus track)SaadiqRaphael Saadiq4:46

 • (co.) Co-producer

Personnel

Credits for Ray Ray adapted from liner notes.[22]

Charts
Chart (2004) Peak
position
French Albums Chart[19] 145
Japanese Albums Chart[23] 289
U.S. Billboard 200[18] 86
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[18] 18
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References
  1. "Raphael Saadiq: As Ray Ray". The Sunday Times. Times Newspapers Ltd. November 7, 2004. Music section.
  2. Ollison, Richard D. (November 4, 2004). "Saadiq polishes his love of the '70s with 'Ray Ray'". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore: Tribune Company. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  3. Brown, Ethan (May 21, 2005). "Raphael Saadiq - Lady Saw". New York. New York Media. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  4. Johnson, Phil (October 17, 2004). "DISCS: R&B HHHHI Raphael Saadiq ...as Ray Ray POOKIE ENTERTAINMENT". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  5. Dansby, Andrew (July 15, 2004). "Saadiq Unveils "Ray Ray"". Rolling Stone. Jann S. Wenner. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009. Retrieved March 31, 2012.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
  6. "Raphael Saadiq - All Hits At The House Of Blues CD Album". CD Universe. Muze. Archived from the original on August 19, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  7. Cinquemani, Sal (October 8, 2004). "Raphael Saadiq: Ray Ray". Slant Magazine. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  8. Simon, Andrew (November 2004). "Raphael Saadiq: Raphael Saadiq as Ray Ray". Vibe. New York: VIBE/SPIN Ventures. 12 (11): 159–160. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  9. Kellman, Andy. "Ray Ray - Raphael Saadiq". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  10. Mitchell, Gail (September 18, 2004). "Saadiq Skeds Solo Set". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media: 34. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  11. Lisle, Andria (February 2005). "Review :: Raphael Saadiq - Ray Ray :: Pookie Entertainment". Paste. Paste Media Group (14). Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  12. Drumming, Neil (October 8, 2004). "Raphael Saadiq as Ray Ray Review". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  13. Capobianco, Ken (October 8, 2004). "CD Report". The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  14. Himes, Geoffrey (November 5, 2004). "RAPHAEL SAADIQ "Raphael Saadiq as Ray Ray" Pookie". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Weekend section, p. 7. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  15. "Ray Ray: Raphael Saadiq". Amazon.com. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  16. Chic Like You (Media notes). Raphael Saadiq. Pookie Entertainment. 2004. 9038-CHIC-1.CS1 maint: others (link)
  17. I Want You Back (Media notes). Raphael Saadiq. Pookie Entertainment. 2004. PKE-2002.CS1 maint: others (link)
  18. "Ray Ray - Raphael Saadiq". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  19. "Raphael Saadiq - As Ray Ray" (in French). lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  20. "Ray Ray Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  21. Raphael Saadiq - Ray Ray. Pookie Entertainment. PKE-1004
  22. Ray Ray (CD liner). Raphael Saadiq. Pookie Entertainment. POOKIECD2.CS1 maint: others (link)
  23. "ラファエル・サーディクのCDアルバムランキング、ラファエル・サーディクのプロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
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