The Way I See It is the third album by American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer Raphael Saadiq. It was released on September 16, 2008, by Columbia Records – his first for the label. Prior to signing with Columbia, Saadiq had independently released his 2004 album Ray Ray, recorded with the songwriting and production duo Jake and the Phatman. He developed a creative partnership with their colleague, audio engineer Charles Brungardt, who shared Saadiq's fascination with historic recording techniques and equipment. In 2008, the singer returned from a vacation that had inspired him to pursue classic soul music and recorded The Way I See It primarily at his North Hollywood studio with Brungardt.
The Way I See It
Jack Ashford (pictured in 2013), of Motown's Funk Brothers band, played percussion for several songs.
Saadiq's recording studio featured an SSL 9000 mixing console (pictured).
The Way I See It draws on the music of 1960s Motown (former headquarters pictured).
Raphael Saadiq is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He rose to fame as a member of the multiplatinum group Tony! Toni! Toné! In addition to his solo and group career, he has also produced songs for such artists as Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, Total, Joss Stone, D'Angelo, TLC, En Vogue, Kelis, Mary J. Blige, Ledisi, Whitney Houston, Solange Knowles and John Legend. Music critic Robert Christgau has called Saadiq the "preeminent R&B artist of the '90s".
Saadiq at the 2012 Time 100
Saadiq in 2009
Saadiq performing at the 2009 Stockholm Jazz Festival, promoting The Way I See It.
Saadiq performing at South by Southwest in 2011, promoting Stone Rollin'.