Resurrected: D'Angelo - "Black Messiah"

It's been said that "absence makes the heart grow fonder" and with the release of "Black Messiah" D’Angelo has clearly set out to substantiate that claim. He, along with The Vanguard, deliver unto us an album hellbent on saving us from the slums of mediocrity that is much of the quote, unquote R&B/hip-hop music that has been unleashed and forced upon us in recent years. Originally slated for a 2015 release, D'Angelo blessed us early in the wake of all of the racial unrest we were experiencing following several unjust verdicts. Don't you just love a socially conscious man?!? Not to mention this album is filled with gems...every track on this album is pure perfection.

“The Charade” is an upbeat number that gives me so much Prince tease, and though the comparison is inevitable, this is all D’Angelo. The creativity and musical atmosphere is certainly unmatched. “Another Life” is a beautiful and romantic song that causes you to involuntarily sway as D’Angelo serenades the apple of his eye. “Really Love” is theatrical, brilliant, and gorgeous (can a song be described as such?) with its solo Spanish guitar intro that flawlessly integrates into a nice jazz-esque like ballad. “Sugah Daddy” is a fun toe tapping jam session that was undoubtably a blast to record. “Betray My Heart” gave me so much life I thought I had been reborn.

I'm gonna be completely transparent in my admission that I have no earthly idea what D’Angelo is saying in most of these songs. But sometimes, the music is enough. No auto-tune. No synthesized beats. No materialistic rants. Just genuine musicianship to rescue us from the drought that true soul music lovers have suffered from for far too long. Listen to the stream below and join me in the welcoming of the great "Black Messiah":

Natasha Marie

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