Influential R&B and soul singer Raphael Saadiq has just announced his first new album in 8 years entitled Jimmy Lee, which is set to be released off of Columbia Records this August 23. This announcement comes along with the release of his single entitled “Something Keeps Calling” (featuring Rob Bacon) a sensual call back to traditional R&B.
“Something Keeps Calling,” features a pounding drum and bass line, that are complimented with some amplified and distorted guitar chords. Saadiq shows off his remarkable vocal ability toward the end of each chorus where he reaches some of the highest notes in his repertoire with powerful emotion.
His last album Stone Rollin was released back in March of 2011, with its roots being held firmly in the style of traditional R&B and soul music. The album ended peaking at number 14 on the Billboard 200, and Number 3 on the R&B and Hip hop charts.
As modern R&B and hip hop continue to dominate the music charts over the previous musical powerhouse which was rock music, Saadiq’s return has him in a new field with many new talented artists. Saadiq explains that he sees this new rise of soul musicians in this era as the genre making its next round of popularity in the industry.
“It’s definitely making its loop, and I’m not surprised. For a while, black people got scared because they felt they couldn’t do true soul. But that’s shifting now,” Saaddiq explained in an interview with Pitchfork. More than anything, I just enjoy making it. You can go to sleep and dream about making that music, then you look up and it’s been 30 years! When you’re making music that you really like, you don’t really think about it, you just enjoy the moment.”
Tracklist
1. Sinners Prayer
2. So Ready
3. This World Is Drunk
4. Something Keeps Calling
5. Kings Fall
6. I’m Feeling Love
7. My Walk
8. Belongs To God
9. Dottie’s Interlude
10. Glory To The Veins
11. Rikers Island
12. Rikers Island Redux
13. Rearview
Raphael Saadiq — 2019 Tour Dates
8/ 3 – Columbia, MD – Summer Spirit Fest
8/23 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey
9/5 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live Ballroom
9/6 – Austin, TX – Mohawk
9/7 – Raleigh, NC – Hopscotch Festival
9/7-8 – Atlanta, GA – ONE Musicfest
9/10 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
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