Most of us have rituals that we perform day in and out. We can set our watches to it. But those repetitive motions become well....too repetitive. We have to take a break from it in order to keep our sanity as well as gain a fresh perspective on the situation.
Hip Hop is no different.....
The game is not always going to be positive. And we are not always going to have a new/favorite artist' CD to wait to drop no matter how many mixtapes you listen to. You get tired of the same rotations on the three or four radio stations you listen to. And you are tired of rediscovering old CDs in your collection to get you in the mood to deal with traffic on (insert traffic-jammed highway here). If you are like me, that means its time to explore a different genre. Here are some albums that don't get old very easily (especially while driving).
1. The Way I See It - Raphael Saadiq
Many people who are over thirty remember this guy. This former front man of the group,
TonyToniTone has always found ways to make his sound different over the years. For the youngins, this is the guy who did a track on Rick Ross'
Teflon Don. On this CD, Saadiq departs from more traditional R&B for a sound from the past. With melodies heavy with guitars, drums, and harmonies from back-up singers, there will not be much to distract you from the well written songs. I guarantee you won't skip through a track until the second or third go around. I know its almost three years old, but its good music.
2. BLACKsummers' Night- Maxwell
Aside from the popular songs that women I know sweat over, I was not a huge fan before this album. What I like most about this album is wide arrangement of live instrumentation used. There are lots of transitions
and instrument solos well after most of the songs that keep me listening instead of skipping to the next track. I especially like the trumpets. Don't ask me why....
3. Sade- Any CD She Makes
I find myself driving a lot late at night with no traffic. Putting her music in really helps me unwind and think. I can honestly say that I have never heard a bad song from her. Her and her band make great music. Not to mention she is well respected and sampled in the hip hop community.
Soldier of Love was her first album in a decade and people still went to buy it.
What are some of the artists you listen to when hip hop gets annoying? Paramore? Coltrane? Phil Collins? ( Yeah I said it. He's good music and still sells out stadiums.)
Use those fingers for something other than picking your nose. Yeah, I saw you.......
In an industry of artists trying their best to emulate past decades in their music, Raphael Saadiq is doing the best rendition while pushing r&b and soul into places never imagined. Stone Rollin feels like a sequel to The Way I See It with another decade themed album with relatable subject matter. The project wastes no time propelling the listener into the 70s with 'Heart Attack' supported by subtle guitar riffs and simple drums over Saadiq's powerful declaration. Though the tracks don't flow as smoothly as its predecessor, you barely notice thanks to top notch songwriting and catchy beats. The album really finds its groove in the second half thanks to the blues-inspired contribution 'Day Dreams' and 'Good Man'. Saadiq saves the best for last on 'The Answer' which feels a lot like 'Sometimes' from the last album in its storytelling demeanor. Though short, the album will leave you wanting the keep the repeat button on. I give it a 9/10.
