Raphael Saadiq’s “So Ready” Takes An Addict’s Perspective

Today, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and collaborator Raphael Saadiq releases third track “So Ready” from his forthcoming album, Jimmy Lee(out August 23 on Columbia Records). The song’s upbeat rhythm and melody is brilliantly juxtaposed with dark lyrics depicting personal strife and the lies told to loved ones. “‘So Ready’ is from the addict’s perspective,” says Raphael. “They know they need to stop and have tried countless times, but can’t.”

Take a listen to “So Ready” here: http://found.ee/rssoready

Self-produced by Raphael at Blakeslee Recording Co. in North Hollywood, Jimmy Lee  — his first album in eight years — tells the story of a deep personal journey through some of life’s biggest trials and tribulations. Inspired in part by his brother’s addiction as well as the temptations and distractions of modern life, Raphael embraces radical new sounds — darkly cinematic atmospheres, rumbling percussion, murky bass textures, spaced-out jazz interludes and more — to create a cutting edge soul masterpiece. It’s a statement of intent from a leading light of R&B music.

Listen to “Glory To The Veins,” a “poetic picture of paranoia and despair” (FADER): https://youtu.be/SzDxfANbPYc 

Last month, Raphael appeared at the 25th Anniversary Essence Festival where he curated an evening Are & Be Jam Session in partnership with Spotify House. The night consisted of live performances from some of R&B’s biggest tastemakers and musicians, including BJ The Chicago Kid, JoJo, Wale, Lucky Daye, Mario, Ledisi, and more.

Raphael Saadiq hits the road this fall in support of the new album. Full dates below.

Jimmy Lee Track Listing

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

Tour Dates

Aug 3 – Columbia, MD – Summer Spirit Fest

Aug 23 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey

Sep 5 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live Ballroom

Sep 6 – Austin, TX – Mohawk

Sep 7 – Raleigh, NC – Hopscotch Festival

Sep 8-9 – Atlanta, GA – ONE Musicfest

Sep 10 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg

Oct 16 – Lausanne, VD, Switzerland – Les Docks

Oct 17 – Basel, BS, Switzerland – Event Halle

Oct 18 – Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands – Doornroosje

Oct 19 – Nancy, Meurthe-Et-Moselle, France – Nancy Jazz Pulsation

Oct 21 – Paris, France – Elysee Montmartre

Oct 22 – Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands – Rotterdamse Schouwburg

Oct 23 – Berlin, Germany – Columbia Theatre

Oct 24 – Amsterdam, Noor-Holland, Netherland – Paradiso

Oct 26 – London, United Kingdom – O2 Indigo

Oct 27 – Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg – Rockhal

Oct 28 – Leuven, Vlaams Brabant, Belgium – Het Depot

Follow Raphael Saadiq

https://www.raphaelsaadiqmusic.com

https://www.facebook.com/raphaelsaadiq/

https://twitter.com/raphaelsaadiq

https://www.instagram.com/raphael_saadiq