Raphael Saadiq Releases “Jimmy Lee”
Multi-instrumentalist Raphael Saadiq has returned with his first new album in eight years. Jimmy Lee is a darker turn for the neo-soul star and serves partly as a reflection of his brother, who died of a heroin overdose.
“When I came along, Jimmy was, well, he was pretty much an addict at that time,” Saadiq told NPR. “But being a kid, you don’t know what an addict is. So, I saw him as being pretty normal. I might have thought maybe he was an alcoholic or something … I didn’t know anything about heroin. The record is not really about just Jimmy Lee. It’s more about everybody has a Jimmy Lee in their life, you know? It’s universal.”
Saadiq cut his teeth in Sheila E’s band backing band and gained fame fronting Tony! Toni! Toné! before striking out in his solo career. He’s played bass all along and laid down the low end for his latest album. Check out his playing with this video for “Something Keeps Calling” featuring Rob Bacon:
Jimmy Lee is available now on CD, vinyl and as a digital download (iTunes and Amazon MP3).
Jimmy Lee Track List:
- Sinners Prayer
- So Ready
- This World is Drunk
- Something Keeps Calling
- Kings Fall
- I’m Feeling Love
- My Walk
- Belongs to God
- Dottie Interlude
- Glory to the Veins
- Rikers Island
- Rikers Island Redux
- Rearview
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
