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A lively time with Saadiq

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Special to The Times

As Raphael Saadiq concluded a sensuous rendition of the Tony! Toni! Tone! hit “Lay Your Head on My Pillow,” the acclaimed singer-songwriter-musician-producer proclaimed himself the “last of the funky Mohicans.” The packed crowd Sunday at the House of Blues roared, endorsing the Oakland-raised artist’s claim as his band played the opening notes of “It Never Rains in Southern California,” another of his former group’s biggest hits.

During a spunky set that stretched nearly two hours and at times had the feel of a funk jam session, Saadiq revisited his impressive musical resume, which dates to the late 1980s with Tony! Toni! Tone!, includes a stint earlier this decade in Lucy Pearl and extends to his solo material, including the riveting “Ray Ray” album, a winning mix of soul and funk that is among the year’s best R&B; collections.

Sporting a sharp light-blue striped suit, Saadiq was the epitome of musicianship, rotating guitars throughout his performance, delivering hits spanning his extensive catalog and interacting with the crowd enough between songs to offer a glimpse of his warm personality.

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About halfway through the show, Saadiq showed his comedic side. He wanted more energy from the crowd as he introduced “Detroit Girl,” a sensuous song from “Ray Ray.” “I know you like looking up here, but I need to see something,” he said.

As the crowd started grooving, he recalled a meeting with a woman he thought he might lose to former Laker Shaquille O’Neal. The crowd booed, but Saadiq deflected the potential threat. “I wasn’t worried about Shaq, ‘cause he ain’t got more game than Saadiq.”

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