Soul Tracks

While I was diggin' through the crates I came across D'Angelo's sophomore set, 2000's Voodoo, considered by many to be his magnum opus. I've still got plenty of love for the man even though he has been away for so long. Actually, he has been away for too damn long!!! But anyway, he is currently signed to J Records and word on the street is that we can expect a new album to drop early next year. I'm sure your lost-soul-singers side eye is in full effect right now because rumors of a new D'Angelo album have been floating around for a handful of years but if Maxwell can make a comeback so can D'Angelo. Let's keep our fingers crossed. Voodoo came to us five years after his brilliant debut Brown Sugar, it was well worth the wait. The recording sessions all took place at Electric Lady Studios, the Greenwich Village-based studio built by Jimi Hendrix. ?uestlove, J Dilla, Lauryn Hill, DJ Premier, Q-Tip, Roy Hargrove, Angie Stone, and Raphael Saadiq all contributed to the soulfully funky and organic sound that can be heard on Voodoo. ?uestlove described the recording sessions as a "left-of-center black music renaissance," frequent visits to the studio were made by artists such as Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, Common, Mos Def and The Roots band, visits that shaped and influenced the recording atmosphere of the Voodoo sessions. D'Angelo and Angie Stone co-wrote the song 'Send It On,' a song that explores faith and honesty in a relationship. The arrangements are reminiscent of classic 70's soul. It has an Aretha/Marvin/Al Green feel to it. It's one of those songs that forces you to make that ugly face and shake your head because it sounds so damn good. While we wait, hope, and pray for some new D'Angelo music, enjoy this 8 year old classic.