The song is ended by an eerie, clumsy piano melody that leads the listener into the last few songs of the album.įor much of “Jimmy Lee”, Saadiq chooses to be introspective. The album sharply transitions into “Glory To The Veins”, where Saadiq talks to God about the reality of his late brother’s addiction and the need to find Him once again. Themes of faith are sprinkled within “Jimmy Lee”, especially in “Belongs To God”, which inputs you into the slow groove of a local Baptist church’s hymn. “I’m Feeling Love” is a signal of transformation into a life away from drugs and addiction, “I’m drowning in good love / The only space I need to grow”. In “Kings Fall”, Saadiq is moving through a heavy state of withdrawal and calling out for help, “Even when I’m clean / I’m still a dope fiend / Everyone is always telling me something / I wake up, I feel things crawlin’ / But nobody wants to see a strong man fallin’”. Yet, he turns away, leading to withdrawal. Through his depressive state, he aches out for the drugs that he used to turn to. Saadiq feels as though everyone has it out for him: his wife, his friends, and his priest. “Something Keeps Calling” demonstrates the deep, heart-wrenching lows of living life as an addict. “Something Keeps Calling” and “Kings Fall” are both excellent examples of this. Throughout “Jimmy Lee”, Saadiq’s descriptive storytelling is one of the many things that shine. The juxtaposition of solemn lyrics and a dance-ready drum beat is endlessly intriguing, if not a dash confusing for the listener. Saadiq sings about the destructive nature of addiction and how it ate at his romantic relationship.
“So Ready” flips the album’s somber start on its head and leads into a faster tempo. The album’s first track, “Sinners Prayer”, invites the listener in and asks a question that’s often alluded to throughout the album’s entire run: “Will a sinner’s prayers be listened to?” Saadiq’s butter-smooth vocals are laid under an earthy, plucky bassline, futuristic synthesizers, and a steady head-rocking drum beat. Named after his brother, who overdosed in the 90s after contracting HIV, the album holds your hand tightly through an exploration of love, faith, and addiction. “Jimmy Lee”, his first album in eight years, finally brings his raw, personal history to the forefront. Although Raphael Saadiq has had a hand in producing hundreds of records, he rarely brings his own life’s events to fruition on a track. The artist from Oakland, California, started his career touring with Prince in the mid-80s and as a founding member of the group Tony! Toni! Tone! and has recently produced hits for musicians like Solange and D’Angelo. A veteran in R&B and beyond, Raphael Saadiq has spent decades being a musical storyteller.
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