D'Angelo - Black Messiah

Black Messiah stands as a spiritual and political manifesto, redefining the codes of modern soul after fourteen years of silence since Voodoo. This studio album, the third in D'Angelo's solo discography, is titled D'Angelo and The Vanguard for the first time. Released by RCA Records on December 15, 2014, it was widely praised by critics, receiving a score of 95/100 on Metacritic based on 18 reviews. The album is described as a spiritual and political manifesto that redefines modern soul. It was produced and largely written by D'Angelo, with collaborations including Questlove on drums, Pino Palladino on bass, Isaiah Sharkey on guitar, Roy Hargrove on trombone, and Kendra Foster, singer and lyricist. Production credits also include The Vanguard.

A meticulous sonic architecture signed D'Angelo and The Vanguard

The production is described as meticulous, polished, organized, and featuring an impressive sound mix. Web sources describe the album as overflowing with life and detail, calling it more incandescent than any other in D'Angelo's career. Meticulous and polished, it reveals a very well-organized chaos and an extremely copious menu, both in its groove arrangements and in its impressive sound mix that it enjoys.

Major collaborations enriching the opus with Questlove, Pino Palladino, Isaiah Sharkey, Roy Hargrove, and Kendra Foster

The associated musicians include drummer Questlove, bassist Pino Palladino, guitarist Isaiah Sharkey, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, and singer and lyricist Kendra Foster. D'Angelo and The Vanguard is credited as the main producer on the album's tracks.

Ain't That Easy: a key track validating the textual richness of a critically acclaimed opus

The first track, "Ain't That Easy," featuring The Vanguard, immediately illustrates the density and quality of the project. It is an emblematic song that validates the textual richness of an album widely praised by trade press, confirming the interest paid to every verse and melody from the very first seconds of listening.

Prayer: a spiritual track anchoring the album in its manifest political dimension

The song "Prayer" perfectly embodies the dual spiritual and political aspect of the record. It anchors the album in its manifest political dimension, serving as a support point for the themes addressed throughout D'Angelo's career and illustrating the will to redefine modern soul with engaged lyrics and careful composition.