Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
AnyDecentMusic?	7.6/10
Metacritic	86/100
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
The A.V. Club	A–
Entertainment Weekly	B+
The Independent
Los Angeles Times
Mojo
MSN Music	A–
Rolling Stone
Spin	7/10
USA Today

Stone Rollin' is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Raphael Saadiq, released on March 25, 2011, by Columbia Records. Inspired by the loud, raw sound of his live performances, Saadiq worked with recording engineer and long-time collaborator Chuck 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, and with the help of arranger Paul Riser and engineer Gerry Brown, he incorporated string and orchestral arrangements to the songs.

Stone Rollin' expands on the traditional soul music style of his 2008 album The Way I See It, with songs incorporating rhythm and blues, rock, funk, and blues styles. A widespread critical success and deemed by some reviewers as Saadiq's best work, the record was noted for its stylistic breadth, groove-based compositions, varied subject matter, and incorporation of the Mellotron keyboard. It also became Saadiq'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.

In 2008, Saadiq released his third album The Way I See It, which featured 1960s Motown Sound-inspired songs with traditional soul music influences. The album was also an exemplary release of the "classic soul revival" during its peak at the time, a music scene marked by similarly retro-minded work from mainstream artists such as Amy Winehouse and Adele, independent acts such as Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and Mayer Hawthorne, and older artists making comebacks such as Al Green and Bettye LaVette. In promoting the album, Saadiq broadened his audience demographic and expanded as a touring artist, playing various music festivals throughout Europe and the United States. Along with the musical aesthetic of the album, Saadiq himself adopted a vintage soul image, donning old-fashioned attire and performing traditional R&B dance moves at shows. His touring also inspired his approach for Stone Rollin', as he considered the louder, raw sound and general feeling of performing live.

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Wikipedia