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Raphael Saadiq – “Go To Hell” and “Get Involved (Feat. Q-Tip)”

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We won’t front, Stone Rollin’ is in some heavy rotation at b3sci headquarters. The production, the melodies, THE SOUND, it’s right. “Go To Hell” is the type of track that aims big, epic big. And from the archives, with throwback love comes “Get Involved” featuring Q-Tip off The PJ’s: Original Soundtrack release.

Raphael Saadiq – Go To Hell

Raphael Saadiq – Get Involved (Feat. Q-Tip)

Raphael Saadiq: (Official) (Purchase)

Rating: 8.2
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reviewed by
05-30-11

Raphael Saadiq – Just Don’t (feat. Yukimi Nakano)

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You know it’s a good day when a new Raphael Saadiq LP hits the shelves! “Just Don’t” is a favorite deep cut off of Stone Rollin’, an album sure to fit comfortably on many year-end lists.

Raphael Saadiq – Just Don’t (feat. Yukimi Nakano)

Raphael Saadiq: (Official) (Purchase)

Rating: 8.3
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reviewed by
05-24-11

Raphael Saadiq – Good Man (Live Acoustic)

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Saadiq appeared on Gilles Peterson’s show this week and previewed much of the material from his upcoming Stone Rollin’ LP. Wow, just wow. We heard much of the new material played out live during SXSW but hearing the recorded versions, the album is just crazy. Stone Rollin’ will no doubt be one of the best records of the year. Mark it!

Raphael Saadiq – Good Man (Live Acoustic)

Raphael Saadiq: (Official) (Myspace) (Twitter)

Rating: 9.0

brown93

reviewed by
04-07-11

Raphael Saadiq – Moving Down the Line

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Another killer entry from Saadiq’s upcoming Stone Rollin’ LP. “Moving Down the Line” is maybe the new record’s “Big Easy”, the minor key, the shuffle rhythms, the percussive melodies. Keeping with Stone Rollin’s more ’70’s-inspired sound, “Moving Down the Line” is more cinematic, more layered, more dramatic in its arrangement. The strings build and break with the tenor of the tune. Stone Rollin’ is due May 10th on Columbia.

Raphael Saadiq – Moving Down the Line

Raphael Saadiq: (Official) (Myspace) (Twitter)

Rating: 9.0

brown93

reviewed by
03-24-11

SXSW Thursday Afternoon Wrap 03/17/11: Raphael Saadiq, The Vaccines, Foster the People, Cults

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We arrived during Cults set, and caught a band often too overlooked on last year’s ‘best of’ lists. But not by everybody, “Go Outside” was recently re-released through Columbia. Judging by their set, and if we were gamblers (and a gentleman never tells), we’d bet pretty handsomely that you’ll be seeing a lot more action from Cults in 2011.

Cults – Go Outside

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The Vaccines set was full of energy, fast-paced, and over before you knew what had happened. It says a lot when a band with a set full of short-running songs can so captivate their public (their first single runs only 1:24 long). With catchy hooks and melodies on songs like “Blow Up” and “If You Wanna”, they impressed a courtyard of eager listeners. “Wreckin’ Bar” killed. “Post Break Up Sex” had us popping around. The set was kinetic and fun. Pay attention, kids, cause The Vaccines are definitely a band to watch out for in 2011. And stay tuned for an exclusive b3sci interview with the band backstage after their set. And yes, the interview is about 50% talk about penises. C’mon what did you expect?

The Vaccines – Norgaard

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Foster The People again played to make some noise. That’s sick set #2 we’d caught from them. 2-0, boys. Read about sick set #1 here.

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If you know b3sci then you know that we are BIG fans of Raphael Saadiq, so suffice to say we were pretty excited to see his set next. We’d missed him at Stubb’s the night prior but left the performance at Cedar Street impressed nonetheless. Strongly rooted in jazz, blues, and R&B, Saadiq gave a performance that was funky and full of soul, mixing influences from greats like Chuck Berry and James Brown. Saadiq’s band was great. Consisting of a drummer, a bassist, two guitarists, a keyboardist, and two excellent backup singers, the Saadiq band provided a proper foundation for his sound. The pocket was tight, the harmonies were on point, and the vibe was right. Material wise, we heard a collection of new tracks from Saadiq’s forthcoming studio album, Stone Rollin’. What we heard was really really good. More of that 70’s soul inspired sound we’ve heard in singles “Good Man” and “Radio” with big beats and huge hooks.

Raphael Saadiq – Good Man

Catch all of b3sci’s SXSW 2011 coverage HERE

Photography contributed by Genevieve Sheehan

reviewed by
03-18-11

Cee-Roo – Make Me Feel Good (Feat. Raphael Saadiq & Talib Kweli)

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Swiss mix man Cee-Roo flips Talib & Saadiq in the mix on this excerpted track from his new “Beatz N’ Rhymes #5” Mixtape. Cee-Roo tips a nice groove on “Make Me Feel Good” twisting up Saadiq’s golden tenor to Talib’s rapid fire rhymes.

Cee-Roo – Make Me Feel Good (Feat. Raphael Saadiq & Talib Kweli)

Info / Mixtape Free Download

Rating: 8.0

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reviewed by
02-09-11

2Pac – Crooked Nigga Too (Raphael Saadiq Remix)

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Unearthed this cool new 2Pac remix from depths of the Youtube slums. 2Pac sounds nice here over Saadiq’s shoeshine smooth vocal tones.

2Pac – Crooked Nigga Too (Raphael Saadiq Remix)

Purchase / Info

Rating: 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
02-07-11

Raphael Saadiq – Good Man

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On his new “Good Man” jam, b3sci fav Raphael Saadiq puts it down real and does like the song says. The tune oozes heat and aches for its lyrical content. “Good Man” sounds a few years in the future from Saadiq’s 60’s flavored The Way I See It material, namely the early to mid 70’s think Delfonics, think Dramatics. Good shit right here. Get into it.

Raphael Saadiq – Good Man

more info / purchase

The video for Saadiq’s new single “Radio”

rating: 8
brown8

reviewed by
01-19-11

Raphael Saadiq – Seven

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“seven” is an unreleased saadiq track recorded during “the way i see it” sessions. the tune now appears on the FYE store version of the record. what a GREAT song. “the way i see it” was one of the best records of 2008 and “seven” easily could’ve been on it. we’ve been bumping the shit out of “seven” the last few days here at b3sci HQ, we’re pretty sure you’ll be doing the same after you push play.

[Download] Raphael Saadiq – Seven
buy the “the way i see it” @ fye

rating: 9.3

brown9

reviewed by
06-22-10

Raphael Saadiq Rules

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seriously. dude puts out great records. “the way i see it”, “instant vintage” , even the old tony toni tone shit are always in rotation. saadiq always comes packing the GREAT melodies, COOL rhythmic shit & CANDY SWEET hooks. if you’re not already, do your ears the favor, and get yourself hip to just some really classic classic music.

raphael saadiq – big easy
raphael saadiq – uptown
tony! toni! tone! – anniversary

reviewed by
04-18-10

B3SCI TOP 50 ALBUMS OF 2011

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Although we’ve come to the end of the road, still Adele we can’t let you go. We’ve reached 2011’s closing hour and now it is time: b3sci presents it’s Top 50 Albums of 2011. No one’s even come close to having the year Adele’s had. The most albums sold in a single year since 2004, two of the biggest singles of the year, etc, a truly international breakthrough both commercially and critically on a level we haven’t seen in a long time. Adele, our girl, the crown is yours. 21 is b3sci’s Album of the year.

So where the fuck is Adele on many of these respected-indie-press-dude best of lists? That period between Nov 2010 when “Rolling in the Deep” first broke and the lead up to the album’s release in late January, Adele ruled the blogosphere, the fold was united. Then “RITD” got overplayed to the point of absurdity, your mom bought the record, probably your grandma bought it too; those bros that listen to Foo Fighters and Deadmau5 started bumping “Someone Like You” out their trunk. Soon, the “wrong people” liked 21 and Adele’s brief moment atop the indiesphere was over. Right.

Thanks for reading this year, y’all. We’ve got some big plans for 2012. Stay tuned. Much love.

adele-211
01. Adele – 21 (Buy It) (Read)

the-weeknd-house-of-balloons
02. The Weeknd – House of Balloons (Buy It) (Read)

drake-take-care
03. Drake – Take Care (Buy It) (Read)

james-blake-james-blake
04. James Blake – James Blake (Buy It) (Read)

kendrick-lamar-section-80
05. Kendrick Lamar – Section.80 (Buy It) (Read)

gil-scott-heron-and-jamie-xx-were-new-here
06. Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx – We’re New Here (Buy It) (Read)

wu-lyf-go-tell-fire-to-the-mountain
07. WU LYF – Go Tell Fire on the Mountain (Buy It) (Read)

jay-z-kanye-west-watch-the-throne
08. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch the Throne (Buy It) (Read)

the-horrors-skying
09. The Horrors – Skying (Buy It) (Read)

m83-hurry-up-were-dreaming
10. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Buy It) (Read)

wye-oak-civilian
11. Wye Oak – Civilian (Buy It) (Read)

girls-father-son-holy-ghost
12. Girls – Father Son, Holy Ghost (Buy It) (Read)

real-estate-days
13. Real Estate – Days (Buy It) (Read)

aap-rocky-live-love-aap
14. A$AP Rocky – Live Love A$AP (Buy It) (Read)

sepalcure-sepalcure
15. Sepalcure – Sepalcure (Buy It) (Read)

pj-harvey-let-england-shake
16. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake (Buy It) (Read)

the-war-on-drugs-slave-ambient
17. The War on Drugs – Slave Ambient (Buy It) (Read)

charles-bradley-no-time-for-dreaming
18. Charles Bradley – No Time For Dreaming (Buy It) (Read)

metronomy-the-english-riviera
19. Metronomy – The English Riviera (Buy It) (Read)

sbtrkt-sbtrkt
20. SBTRKT – SBTRKT (Buy It) (Read)

oneohtrix-point-never-replica
21. Oneohtrix Point Never – Replica (Buy It) (Read)

the-vaccines-what-did-you-expect-from-the-vaccines
22. The Vaccines – What Did You Expect From the Vaccines (Buy It) (Read)

destroyer-kaputt
23. Destroyer – Kaputt (Buy It) (Read)

the-antlers-burst-apart
24. The Antlers – Burst Apart (Buy It) (Read)

tune-yards-whokill
25. tUnE-yArDs – w h o k i l l (Buy It) (Read)

beyonce-4
26. Beyonce – 4 (Buy It) (Read)

wild-flag-wild-flag
27. Wild Flag – Wild Flag (Buy It) (Read)

noel-gallaghers-high-flying-birds-noel-gallaghers-high-flying-birds
28. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds (Buy It) (Read)

big-krit-return-of-4eva
29. Big K.R.I.T. – Return of 4eva (Buy It) (Read)

clams-casino-instrumentals
30. Clams Casino – Instrumentals (Buy It) (Read)

gillian-welch-the-harrow-and-the-harvest
31. Gillian Welch – The Harrow and the Harvest (Buy It) (Read)

low-roar-low-roar
32. Low Roar – Low Roar (Buy It) (Read)

araabmuzik-electronic-dream
33. AraabMUZIK – Electronic Dream (Buy It) (Read)

active-child-you-are-all-that-i-see
34. Active Child – You Are All I See (Buy It) (Read)

fleet-foxes-helplessness-blues
35. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues (Buy It) (Read)

raphael-saadiq-stone-rollin
36. Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin’ (Buy It) (Read)

cults-cults
37. Cults – Cults (Buy It) (Read)

radiohead-the-king-of-limbs
38. Radiohead – The King of Limbs (Buy It) (Read)

florence-the-machine-ceremonials
39. Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials (Buy It) (Read)

alex-clare-the-lateness-of-the-hour
40. Alex Clare – The Lateness of the Hour (Buy It) (Read)

nicolas-jaar-space-is-only-noise
41. Nicolas Jaar – Space Is Only Noise (Buy It) (Read)

jhene-aiko-sailing-souls
42. Jhene Aiko – Sailing Soul(s) (Buy It) (Read)

the-stepkids-the-stepkids
43. The Stepkids – The Stepkids (Buy It) (Read)

freddie-gibbs-cold-day-in-hell
44. Freddie Gibbs – Cold Day in Hell (Buy It) (Read)

gardens-villa-gardens-villa
45. Gardens & Villa – Gardens & Villa (Buy It) (Read)

laura-marling-a-creature-i-dont-know
46. Laura Marling – A Creature I Don’t Know (Buy It) (Read)

kurt-vile-smoke-ring-for-my-halo
47. Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring For My Halo (Buy It) (Read)

foster-the-people-torches1
48. Foster the People – Torches (Buy It) (Read)

explosions-in-the-sky-take-care-take-care-take-care
49. Explosions in the Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care (Buy It) (Read)

friendly-fires-pala
50. Friendly Fires – Pala (Buy It) (Read)

reviewed by
12-27-11

B3SCI TOP 50 SONGS OF 2011

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2011. What wasn’t to love? The rise of weirdo R&B, the fall of chillwave, the end of R.E.M. We started the construction of this list over a month ago. One truly epic and extensive Google spreadsheet later, we arrived at this Top 50. We sorted and sorted and sorted, listened through a TON OF STUFF, “traded jabs” on whether James Blake or Jamie Woon put on the tougher persona, etc. Thanks for reading and we hope y’all enjoy the list!

james-blake-the-wilhelm-scream
01. James Blake – The Wilhelm Scream (Buy It) (Read)

the-weend-the-morning
02. The Weeknd – The Morning (Buy It) (Read)

lana-del-rey-video-games
03. Lana Del Rey – Video Games (Buy It) (Read)

gotye-somebody-that-i-used-to-know
04. Gotye – Somebody That I Used to Know (Feat. Kimbra) (Buy It) (Read)

britney-spears-till-the-world-ends
05. Britney Spears – ‘Till the World Ends (Buy It) (Read)

maverick-sabre-i-need
06. Maverick Sabre – I Need (Buy It) (Read)

drake-marvins-room
07. Drake – Marvin’s Room (Buy It) (Read)

beyonce-party
08. Beyonce – Party (Feat. Kanye West & Andre 3000) (Buy It) (Read)

jamie-woon-lady-luck
09. Jamie Woon – Lady Luck (Buy It) (Read)

michael-kiwanuka-i-need-you-by-my-side
10. Michael Kiwanuka – I Need You By My Side (Buy It) (Read)

kendrick-lamar-adhd
11. Kendrick Lamar – ADHD (Buy It) (Read)

the-alabama-shakes-i-found-you
12. The Alabama Shakes (formerly The Shakes) – I Found You (Buy It) (Read)

nneka-my-home
13. Nneka – My Home (Buy It) (Read)

rihanna-we-found-love
14. Rihanna – We Found Love (Feat. Calvin Harris) (Buy It) (Read)

dj-khaled-im-on-one
15. DJ Khaled – I’m On One (Feat. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil’ Wayne) (Buy It) (Read)

adele-rumour-has-it
16. Adele – Rumour Has It (Buy It) (Read)

labrinth-earthquake
17. Labrinth – Earthquake (Feat. Tinie Tempah) (Buy It) (Read)

jay-z-kanye-west-otis
18. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Otis (Buy It) (Read)

flo-rida-good-feeling
19. Flo Rida – Good Feeling (Buy It) (Read)

bon-iver-towers
20. Bon Iver – Towers (Buy It) (Read)

azealia-banks-212
21. Azealia Banks – 212 (Buy It) (Read)

big-black-delta-huggin-kissin
22. Big Black Delta – Huggin’ & Kissin’ (Buy It) (Read)

florence-the-machine-what-the-water-gave-me
23. Florence + The Machine – What the Water Gave Me (Buy It) (Read)

flight-facilities-foreign-language
24. Flight Facilities – Foreign Language (Feat. Jess) (Buy It) (Read)

cults-abducted
25. Cults – Abducted (Buy It) (Read)

raphael-saadiq-good-man
26. Raphael Saadiq – Good Man (Buy It) (Read)

spector-never-fade-away
27. Spector – Never Fade Away (Buy It) (Read)

marina-and-the-diamonds-radioactive
28. Marina & the Diamonds – Radioactive (Buy It) (Read)

afrojack-lionheart
29. Afrojack – Lionheart (Buy It) (Read)

noel-gallagher-if-i-had-a-gun
30. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – If I Had a Gun… (Buy It) (Read)

active-child-playing-house
31. Active Child – Playing House (Feat. How to Dress Well) (Buy It) (Read)

m83-midnight-city
32. M83 – Midnight City (Buy It) (Read)

radiohead-lotus-flower
33. Radiohead – Lotus Flower (Buy It) (Read)

madlib-freddie-gibbs-thuggin1
34. Madlib & Freddie Gibbs – Thuggin’ (Buy It) (Read)

the-rapture-how-deep-is-your-love
35. The Rapture – How Deep Is Your Love (Buy It) (Read)

no-ceremony-hurtlove
36. NO CEREMONY/// – Hurtlove (Buy It) (Read)

ifan-dafydd-no-good
37. Ifan Dafydd – No Good (Buy It) (Read)

bombay-bicycle-club-shuffle
38. Bombay Bicycle Club – Shuffle (Buy It) (Read)

tokimonsta-little-pleasures
39. TOKiMONSTA – Little Pleasures (Feat. Gavin Turek) (Buy It) (Read)

colleen-green-cujo
40. Colleen Green – Cujo (Buy It) (Read)

foxes-youth
41. Foxes – Youth (Buy It) (Read)

jacques-greene-another-girl1
42. Jacques Greene – Another Girl (Buy It) (Read)

grouplove-gold-coast1
43. Grouplove – Gold Coast (Buy It) (Read)

family-of-the-year-st-croix
44. Family of the Year – St. Croix (Buy It) (Read)

lucy-rose-middle-of-the-bed
45. Lucy Rose – Middle of the Bed (Buy It) (Read)

lips-everything-to-me
46. LIPS – Everything to Me (Buy It) (Read)

trophy-wife-wolf
47. Trophy Wife – Wolf (Buy It) (Read)

dev-in-the-dark
48. Dev – In the Dark (Buy It) (Read)

john-west-lovely
49. John West – Lovely (Feat. Pusha T) (Buy It) (Read)

anchorsong-ghost-touch
50. Anchorsong – Ghost Touch (Buy It) (Read)

reviewed by
12-26-11