Raphael Saadiq’s “So Ready” Takes An Addict’s Perspective
Back From Curating Star-Studded Spotify Event At Essence Fest; Jimmy Lee Out August 23 Via Columbia Records
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/