Try this: let's imagine a group of musicians that hold to an Amish-like credo fixed around ignoring soul music's continued evolution after the year 1970 or so. Folks that might regard Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life as a tad too experimental. Whose biblical texts are Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' 45s. Now let's stop pretending and instead survey the current musical terrain. Thus we find Raphael Saadiq proving our imaginings right.
His most recent record is Stone Rollin'and everything down to the album artwork insists on being from a far different decade than the one we currently occupy: Retro soul right down to the old-fashioned suits and choreographed dance routines Saadiq and company work into their live shows. Thou Shall Always Move in Choreographed Time with One's Bandmates About the Microphone as One Sings. Or something like that.
Walk down your parents' memory lane this Wednesday in Seattle with Raphael Saadiq.
Raphael Saadiq
Wednesday, April 13
8 p.m.
Showbox at the Market
1426 First Ave, Seattle
Tickets $25
