Stone Rollin'

Stone Rollin' is the fourth studio album by American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer Raphael Saadiq. It was released on March 25, 2011, by Columbia Records. Inspired by the loud, raw quality of performing in concert, Saadiq worked with recording engineer and long-time collaborator Charles Brungardt to produce a grittier, more aggressive sound than on his previous records. Most of the instruments played on the album were performed by Saadiq. With the help of arranger Paul Riser and engineer Gerry Brown, the singer also incorporated string and orchestral arrangements to the songs. Stone Rollin' expands on the traditional soul music style of Saadiq's 2008 album The Way I See It by exploring rhythm and blues, rock, funk, and the blues. A widespread critical success, the record was deemed by some reviewers as Saadiq's best work while being noted for its stylistic breadth, groove-based compositions, varied subject matter, and incorporation of the Mellotron keyboard. It also became the singer's highest-charting album in the United States, reaching number 14 on the Billboard 200. He supported the album with a concert tour spanning from March to August 2011.