Raphael Saadiq, Glory to the Veins | Track Review

R&B musician extraordinaire Raphael Saadiq shines on his ‘short, but sweet’ second single from 2019, “Glory to the Veins,” featuring Ernest Turner on piano. 

It has been a long time since Raphael Saadiq released a new studio album.  Sure, the 53-year old R&B singer/songwriter/producer appeared on the Mudbound original motion picture soundtrack in 2017, but his last album came in 2011 with Stone Rollin’.  That said, can you fault the former lead singer of renowned R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné! – he’s had quite a successful career.  The good news is, he’s releasing his first new album in eight years, Jimmy Lee, and he’s issued an alluring second single, “Glory to the Veins” featuring pianist Ernest Turner.

 “Glory to the Veins” keeps things short – it just barley crosses the two-minute mark. More notable, “Glory…” is set in a minor key, instantly giving it a darker vibe.  After the enigmatic, rhythmic instrumental introduction, it’s clear why the record sounds so foreboding – early on, it references AIDS.  Once Raphael Saadiq begins singing, it’s clear where he’s going with the song: “It’s a world epidemic / And the whole world is in it / I lost a brother to AIDS / Still, he laughed every day.”  After those key lyrics, Saadiq gets a bit more abstract and poetic lyrically, leading to a simple, two-word chorus, “Oh well.”

The second verse remains poetic and troublesome; there’s an unsettling vibe.  This vibe, again, matches the production and of course the minor key.  What the listener does discover is ultimately where Saadiq seems to be getting at with this record – he needs the guidance of a higher power.  He sings:

“…There’s too many people walking behind me

I need you beside me, please come and find me

It’s been so cold, the light could blind me

God help me to find me.”

The final chorus expands to include repetition of “oh well.”

Final Thoughts 

All in all, “Glory to the Veins” is truly an interesting two-minute-plus listen.  Raphael Saadiq sounds as soulful as ever.  Furthermore, the vibe that is created on this single is really cool.  Will this end up a radio hit? No. Will this end up being a R&B hit? Probably not, but, as aforementioned, this is quite an alluring listening experience.

Raphael Saadiq • Jimmy Lee • Columbia • Release: 8.23.19

Photo Credit: Columbia