D’Angelo and The Vanguard’s highly anticipated and much buzzed about brand new album, Black Messiah, is available as of 12/15/14 at select digital and retail music providers. The studio recorded version of “Really Love” from Black Messiah, will be serviced to radio that same day
Nearly 15 years in the making, Black Messiah contains 12 tracks of timeless music with poignant and provocative lyrics that requires repeat listening at maximum volume! On the album, D’Angelo is joined by his band, The Vanguard, alongside Pino Palladino, James Gadson and Questlove on various tracks on the album. All lyrics were written by D’Angelo in addition to Q-Tip and Kendra Foster who both wrote lyrics on several songs. With the high quality of live musicianship featured on the album, it’s important to note that “No digital ‘plug-ins’ of any kind were used in this recording. All of the recording, processing, effects and mixing was done in the analog domain using tape and mostly vintage equipment.”
D’Angelo had this to say about Black Messiah in the album’s forward:
“‘Black Messiah’ is a hell of a name for an album. It can be easily misunderstood. Many will think it’s about religion. Some will jump to the conclusion that I’m calling myself a Black Messiah. For me the title is about all of us. It’s about the world. It’s about an idea we can all aspire to. We should all aspire to be a Black Messiah. It’s about people rising up in Ferguson and in Egypt and in Occupy Wall Street and everyplace where a community has had enough and decides to make change happen. It’s not about praising one charismatic leader but celebrating thousands of them. Not every song on this album is politically charged (though many are) but calling this album Black Messiah creates a landscape where these songs can live to the fullest. Black Messiah is not one man. It’s a feeling that, collectively, we are all that leader.”
Black Messiah track listing:
SIDE A
01 Ain’t That Easy
Lyrics by D’Angelo, Q-Tip and Kendra Foster
Music by D’Angelo
02 1000 Deaths
Lyrics by D’Angelo and Kendra Foster
Music by D’Angelo
03 The Charade
Lyrics by D’Angelo and Kendra Foster
Music by D’Angelo and Questlove
04 Sugah Daddy
Lyrics by D’Angelo, Q-Tip and Kendra Foster
Music by D’Angelo, Pino Palladino and James Gadson
05 Really Love
Lyrics by D’Angelo and Kendra Foster
Music by D’Angelo
SIDE B
06 Back To The Future (Part I)
Lyrics and Music by D’Angelo
07 Till It’s Done (Tutu)
Lyrics by D’Angelo and Kendra Foster
Music by D’Angelo
08 Prayer
Lyrics and Music by D’Angelo
09 Betray My Heart
Lyrics and Music by D’Angelo
10 The Door
Lyrics by D’Angelo and Kendra Foster
Music by D’Angelo
11 Back To The Future (Part II)
Lyrics and Music by D’Angelo
12 Another Life
Lyrics by D’Angelo and Kendra Foster
Music by D’Angelo and Questlove
