Raphael Saadiq as Ray Ray (2004) On his second solo studio effort, Raphael Saadiq as Ray Ray Saadiq epitomizes the "grown and sexy" vibe. Casting himself as a puckish blaxploitation-era player,… Raphael Saadiq R&B
EW's GRADE
A-

Details Release Date: Oct 05, 2004; Lead Performance: Raphael Saadiq; Genre: R&B

On his second solo studio effort, Raphael Saadiq as Ray Ray Saadiq epitomizes the ''grown and sexy'' vibe. Casting himself as a puckish blaxploitation-era player, the former Tony! Toni! Toné! fronter woos honeys from Detroit to Houston with enough midtempo dance grooves to make R. Kelly seem out of step. While his songwriting game can get amateur — ''I love the way you're turning it on/That's why I'm writing this song'' — Saadiq's bass virtuosity is strictly pimp caliber.

Originally posted Oct 08, 2004 Published in issue #787 Oct 08, 2004 Order article reprints