Raphael Saadiq is from another time period–at least his most recent album makes it seem that way. The former Tony! Toni! Tone! frontman performed songs from his latest old-school inspired soul album, "The Way I See It," at the Park West last Thursday night. The album is his third solo project.
Concertgoers flowed into the venue, with its relaxed, laidback ambiance, until there was hardly any room for maneuvering.
As the band opened the performance with an upbeat instrumental, Saadiq’s two background singers danced out onto the stage wearing matching black suits. Moments later, the eclectic singer joined them, donning black-rimmed eyeglasses and a mustard-yellow suit.
Saadiq grabbed his white electric guitar to join in on the tune as they transitioned into the first song of the night "Keep Marching."
He followed up with "Love that Girl" and the energetic "100 Yard Dash," before moving into a spotlight to give a rendition of "Dance Tonight," one of his hits with former group Lucy Pearl.
The mood slowed down a bit as he crooned "Just One Kiss," a song on his album that features R&B singer Joss Stone, who Saadiq has worked with extensively. As the lights dimmed, "Oh Girl" was the next selection, followed by the anticipated medley of Tony! Toni! Tone! hits.
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