Ray Ray looks more like a concept album -- about a Blaxploitation hero -- than it sounds like one. It's another ambitious release from Raphael Saadiq, who has continued to be very active as a musician, producer, and songwriter for other artists. Though he has given plenty of his ideas to like-minded artists like Jill Scott, Kelis, Truth Hurts, Mos Def, Amp Fiddler, and Teedra Moses (who guests on two songs here), his creative well seems to be pretty much bottomless. Ray Ray occasionally loses focus, slipping into moments that are either undercooked or worthy of the cutting room, but it's enjoyable enough to keep his followers happy and will certainly act as a remedy for those who don't like the gold-bricked path being taken by mainstream R&B. The album is a little funkier and a lot more energetic than 2002's Instant Vintage, yet just as full of Saadiq's stylish flourishes. The subject matter is as varied as you'd expect: for every song that's charmingly simple and full of lighthearted romantic sentiments, there's something message-oriented, such as "Grown Folks" (in which Saadiq tries on Curtis Mayfield's falsetto and songwriting style, proclaiming that the adults "need more help than the children do"). ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
Ray Ray, also known as Raphael Saadiq as Ray Ray,[3][9] is the second studio album by American R&B and neo soul musician Raphael Saadiq, released September 27, 2004 on his Pookie Entertainment label.[11] Production for the album was handled by Saadiq, Michael Angelo, Jake & The Phatman, and Kelvin Wooten.[11] Titled after a childhood nickname of Saadiq's,[12]Ray Ray contains a more funk-oriented sound than Saadiq's previous album, Instant Vintage (2002),[13] while it features romantic and some message-oriented lyrical themes.[1] The album's cover artwork is inspired by the blaxploitation films of the 1970s.[1]
Prior to its release, Raphael Saadiq had stated that the album is "more aggressive, more radio-friendly. It's one of those good, Saturday-playing records".[12]Ray Ray peaked at number 18 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, at number 86 on the Billboard 200, and at number 3 on the Top Independent Albums chart.[14] Despite some mixed criticism towards its loose blaxploitation concept and Saadiq's songwriting, the album earned praise for its production quality and vintage style.[3][5][9][13]Ray Ray received generally positive reviews from music critics, based on an aggregate score of 66/100 from Metacritic.[15]
"Ask of You" (1995) ·"Get Involved" (1999) ·"Be Here" (2002) ·"Still Ray" (2002) ·"Rifle Love" (2004) ·"Chic Like You" (2004) ·"I Want You Back" (2005) ·"Love That Girl" (2008) ·"Big Easy" (2008) ·"100 Yard Dash" (2009) ·"Never Give You Up" (2009) ·"Let's Take a Walk" (2009)
