One of the greatest talents in mainstream soul – recorded live, and sounding wonderful! Raphael Saadiq's been burning on the left side of the R&B mainstream for the past decade or more – really catching our ears with his work with Tony Toni Tone, and living up to his promise even more with his great solo work. But with an artist like this, we're always never sure how much of their talent comes from the studio – which is why it's really great to hear him live! The set's a wonderfully tight one – Raphael working with a live band in front of a tremendously enthusiastic crowd – getting help from famous friends that include D'Angelo, Joi, Ledisi, Goapele, and the rest of Tony Toni Tone. Titles include "Anniversary", "Loving You", "Let's Get Down", "Charlie Ray", "Excuse Me", "Faithful", "Ask Of You", "Just A Man", "Copy Cat", "Missing You", "Still A Man", and "It Never Rains". Plus, this CD features a bonus disc – with 7 more tracks that include "Be Here", "Uptown", "Different Times", "Still Ray", and "Blind Man". CD

A tough title to live up to – but Raphael makes it happen! The album's as wonderful as you might think – all the deeply soulful styles Saadiq worked out with Tony Toni Tone, taken back through a historical range of soul music – firmly planted in a legacy that begins with Stevie Wonder, runs through Maxwell and D'Angelo, and which points the way towards the future of urban soul. Backings are very much in the beats-n-keyboards mode, but Raphael works out such a wide range of moods and modes that the album avoids any of the shortcomings of other albums in such a style. Includes guest performances by Angie Stone, Leslie Wilson, T-Boz, Calvin Richardson, and D'Angelo – and titles that include "Doing What I Can", "Be Here", "Still Pay", "You're The One That I Like", "Excuse Me", "Tick Tock", "People", "Faithful", "Make My Day", "Blind Man", "Different Times", "What's Life Like", and "Skyy, Can You Feel Me". CD

A tough title to live up to – but Raphael makes it happen! The album's as wonderful as you might think – all the deeply soulful styles Saadiq worked out with Tony Toni Tone, taken back through a historical range of soul music – firmly planted in a legacy that begins with Stevie Wonder, runs through Maxwell and D'Angelo, and which points the way towards the future of urban soul. Backings are very much in the beats-n-keyboards mode, but Raphael works out such a wide range of moods and modes that the album avoids any of the shortcomings of other albums in such a style. Includes guest performances by Angie Stone, Leslie Wilson, T-Boz, Calvin Richardson, and D'Angelo – and titles that include "Doing What I Can", "Be Here", "Still Pay", "You're The One That I Like", "Excuse Me", "Tick Tock", "People", "Faithful", "Make My Day", "Blind Man", "Different Times", "What's Life Like", and "Skyy, Can You Feel Me". LP, Vinyl record album

A hell of a sharp set from Black Milk – a record that seems to really refine the vision of his previous records, and send him forth into very soulful territory too – maybe no surprise, given that he's got guests along who include Phonte, Karriem Riggins, and Raphael Saadiq! The production is nice and spacey, but never sleepy – a crisp edge, even when laidback – as keyboards wrap their arms around some of the rougher edges in the beats, cradle them nicely, and set up this wonderful presence for the vocals! Titles include "Is It Just Me", "The Black Surf", "Downs Got Up", "Wait Til Fate", "God Willing", "Feelings Don't Feel", "No Wish", "Fews & Trues", and "Yeah Really". LP, Vinyl record album

Mary J Blige broke through well over a decade ago, but Breakthrough is an apt title for her eighth album – as it not only busts up the morass of mid 00s urban radio fodder – it also breaks through MJB's own creative doldrums – adding up her best work in years! It's certainly not a flawless listen (we could have lived without the U2 appearance) but the production is crisp and sparkling, leaning towards the seamless hip hop soul feel that Mary built her name upon – and remarkably consistent given the long list of contributors – including 9th Wonder, Will I Am, Raphael Saadiq, JUSTICE League, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and others. Tracks include "No One Will Do", Enough Cryin'" feat Brook, "About You" feat Will I Am, "Be Without You", "Can't Hide From Luv" feat Jay-Z, "MJB Da MVP", "I Found My Everything" feat Raphael Saadiq, "Father In You", "Alone" and more. CD

A brilliant debut for singer Andra Day! Ms. Day, as you're surely aware if you've read any of her press, is profoundly influenced by classic soul, but believe us, she's got style, confidence and a voice – wow, that voice – that truly transcends retro revivalism. This is truly one of the finer major label soul/ R&B records we've heard in a while! Andra has a way of owning the material without over-singing, and paying homage to divas past without carbon copying soul history – working with producers and studio players – from Raphael Saadiq to members of the Daptone crew – all of whom are well-suited to accompany her. We snoozed on Andra Day for months...our bad! She's the real deal. Titles include "Forever Mine", "Only Love", "Gold", "Not Today", "Mistakes", "Rearview", "Red Flags", "Honey Or Fire", "Gin & Juice (Let Go My Hand)", "Rise Up", "City Burns" and "Cheers To The Fall". CD

With Mausberg and Raphael Saadiq. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Larry Graham's definitely got his groove back – and steps out here with his funkiest album in years! Graham's not content to just recall the glory days of Graham Central Station – as he really goes for a nice range of flavors in the set – including a taste of New Orleans, heard in the opening drumline on the record – then echoed by some of the tight horn parts in other sections – even though other numbers move into a tighter electric funky style. As before, the bass is definitely driving the bus on most numbers – and Larry's got help on the set from both Prince and Raphael Saadiq – whose vocals really help expand the sound too. Titles include "Throw N Down The Funk", "Raise Up", "Shoulda Coulda Woulda", "Higher Ground", "Welcome 2 Our World", "Movin", and "One Day". CD

Damn great work from Ledisi – an artist who hasn't missed a beat since moving to the majors a few years back – sounding almost funkier than ever before, thanks to some impeccable production and razor-sharp instrumentation! Ledisi's vocals are beyond challenge – old school deep soul we first came to love years back, on her classic indie sets – and this time around, the instrumentation seems even rawer than we remember – as if there's an old school funky combo backing the singer up on some tracks, mixed with other numbers that have some fuller backings, but still really retain their edge. Production is by a crew with some really great ears for this sort of sound – Rex Rideout, Raphael Saadiq, and others – and from the songwriting credits, it's clear that Ledisi's still very much in charge of the overall shape of the album. Titles include "Runnin", "Everything Changes", "Turn Me Loose", "Love Never Changes", "Knockin", "Goin Thru Changes", "I Need Love", "Say No", "Please Stay", and "Trippin". CD

John Legend recreates the classic soul music Christmas album in more ways than one! First, he works with just the right blend of soul and seasonal touches – at a level that recalls the way that Motown transformed its own music for its famous Christmas albums back in the day! And also, Legend works with a number of songs that have gone on to become soul-specific Christmas classics – in addition to his own takes on other holiday favorites. Raphael Saadiq produced, which is a big part of the success of the set – and titles include "Purple Snowflakes", "Silver Bells", "Wrap Me Up In Your Love", "No Place Like Home", "Bring Me Love", "What Christmas Means To Me", "Please Come Home For Christmas", "Waiting For Christmas", and "Christmas Time Is Here". Special deluxe version – with four bonus tracks not on the regular version, including a duet with Kelly Clarkson on "Baby It's Cold Outside". CD

Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad really sound fantastic here – stepping off their great work on the soundtrack for Luke Cage, and taking their music in an even stronger direction with help from an array of guest singers and musicians! Things are as rich and funky as you might expect – steeped in the same 70s traditions that Younge's used on all of his tremendous projects right from the start, but maybe given an even leaner, more crackling vibe here – as the duo moves through some wonderful soulful modes – with help from Bilal, Questlove, Keyon Harrald, James Poyser, Raphael Saadiq, Ladybug Mecca, Ceelo Green, No ID, Karolina, and others. Titles include "Possibilities", "Better Endeavor", "Mare", "Questions", "So Amazing", "Gate 54", "Do It Together", "Together Again", "Bitches Do Voodoo", "Dans Un Moment D'Errance", and "Feel Alive". LP, Vinyl record album

The long-overdue release of an album that should have been a Neo Soul classic! The team of Otis Cooper and Shugg David recorded this gem of a set back in the mid 90s along with help from longtime friend and producer Raphael Saadiq – but due to shifting priorities at the major label, the set was shelved and is only now finally seeing the light of day! Despite the wait, though, the album bristles with electricity and has a totally fresh sound – bubbling over with the warmth and soul of the best Saadiq production work of the time, and hitting a vibe that's almost in the same mode as his own recent Ray Ray recordings. But even more charming are the talents of Otis & Shugg – two down-to-earth vocalists who work in a style that's nicely free of cliche, and which really shows them setting a tone that would be followed by many other make singers in the Neo Soul years to come. Titles include "Right On Track", "Fantasy", "If You Want It", "My First Mistake", "Round & Round", "Indiana", "This Is My Phone Call", and "Something Inside Of Me". CD

A strong second set by Angie Stone – with production work by Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Raphael Saadiq, Rufus Blaq, and others – warmly wrapped up in a NuSoul orgy of beats, smooth instrumentation, and gutsy soul vocals. Titles include "The Ingredients Of Love" with Musiq Soulchild, "Snowflakes", "Soul Insurance", "Brotha", "Pissed Off", "More Than A Woman" with Calvin, "Brotha Part 2", "Time Of The Month", and "Wish I Didn't Miss You". CD

A Bad Boy classic from the 90s – the tight debut of Total, a trio who were one of the strongest proponents of hip hop-influenced soul at the time! There's plenty of production talents on hand to keep the sharp edges in the music running strong – including Sean Puffy Combs, Raphael Saadiq, Chucky Thompson, and Pharrell – and the strong mix of funky samples, beats, and cut-up arrangements really help kick a lot of life into the grooves – as do some key guest appearances from Notorious BIG and Da Brat! Titles include "No One Else", "Kissin You", "Do You Know", "Someone Like You", "Can't You See", "Do You Think About Us", "Tell Me", Don't Ever Change", "Love Is All We Need", "Tell Me", "When Boy Meets Girl", and "Spend Some Time". LP, Vinyl record album