Name: Black Messiah by D'angelo, The Vanguard
Brand: D'Angelo
SKU: 886444977449
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 5 (84 reviews)

ALBUM

Black Messiah ends one of R&B's most mysterious disappearing acts, arriving almost 15 years after D'Angelo's sophomore full-length, Voodoo. Filled with fluid musicianship, political dissent, and bewitching production, Black Messiah is a mosaic of funky, rule-breaking neo-soul that's alternatively rebellious, sensual, and deeply spiritual. The serpentine melodies of D'Angelo's ‘90s work are here, but they’re pushed to an experimental edge by his aptly named band, The Vanguard ((which includes Roots drummer Questlove and jazz luminary Roy Hargrove). Soulful keyboards and richly layered vocal harmonies are at the core of the psych-funk of “Ain’t That Easy” and the piano-driven saunter of “Sugah Daddy,” which stand in contrast to guitar-spiked protest songs like “1000 Deaths” and “The Charade.”

1. Ain't That Easy

by D'angelo, The Vanguard

Background Vocals: Ahrell Lumzy
Kendra Foster
Jermane Holmes
D'angelo; Performer
Lyricist: Kendra Foster
D'angelo
Q-tip; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Chris Soper
Ricky Begin
Noah Goldstein
Nico Essig
Mike Layos
Mike Boden
Martin Cooke
Justin Garrish; Production
Bass: Pino Palladino
D'angelo; Performer
Drums: James Gadson
Ahmir Thompson
Chris Dave; Performer
Engineer: Ben Kane
Russell Elevado
Tony Rambo; Production
Guitar: Isaiah Sharkey
Spanky Alford
D'angelo
Jesse Johnson
Mark Hammond; Performer
Horn: Roy Hargrove; Performer
Keyboard: D'angelo; Performer
Organ: D'angelo; Performer
Composer: D'angelo
Kendra Foster
Q-tip
N/a; Composer
Performer: D'angelo
The Vanguard
D'angelo And The Vanguard; Performer
Piano: D'angelo; Performer
Sitar: Isaiah Sharkey
Pino Palladino
D'angelo; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Russell Elevado; Production
Programmer: D'angelo
Ahmir Thompson; Production
Synthesizer: D'angelo; Performer
Primary Artist: D'angelo
The Vanguard; Main Performer
Producer: D'angelo; Production

2. 1000 Deaths

by D'angelo, The Vanguard

Background Vocals: Jermane Holmes
Kendra Foster
D'angelo
Ahrell Lumzy; Performer
Lyricist: Kendra Foster
D'angelo; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ricky Begin
Chris Soper
Justin Garrish
Martin Cooke
Mike Boden
Mike Layos
Nico Essig
Noah Goldstein; Production
Bass: Pino Palladino
D'angelo; Performer
Drums: Ahmir Thompson
Chris Dave
James Gadson; Performer
Engineer: Ben Kane
Russell Elevado
Tony Rambo; Production
Guitar: D'angelo
Isaiah Sharkey
Spanky Alford
Mark Hammond
Jesse Johnson; Performer
Horn: Roy Hargrove; Performer
Keyboard: D'angelo; Performer
Organ: D'angelo; Performer
Composer: Kendra Foster
D'angelo
N/a; Composer
Performer: D'angelo
The Vanguard
D'angelo And The Vanguard; Performer
Piano: D'angelo; Performer
Sitar: Isaiah Sharkey
Pino Palladino
D'angelo; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Russell Elevado; Production
Programmer: Ahmir Thompson
D'angelo; Production
Synthesizer: D'angelo; Performer
Primary Artist: D'angelo
The Vanguard; Main Performer
Producer: D'angelo; Production

3. The Charade

by D'angelo, The Vanguard

Background Vocals: Jermane Holmes
Kendra Foster
Ahrell Lumzy
D'angelo; Performer
Bass: Pino Palladino
D'angelo; Performer
Cornet: Roy Hargrove; Performer
Lyricist: D'angelo
Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson
Kendra Foster
?uestlove; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Chris Soper
Mike Layos
Mike Boden
Martin Cooke
Justin Garrish
Nico Essig
Ricky Begin
Noah Goldstein; Production
Drum Programming: Ahmir Thompson
D'angelo; Performer
Drums: Ahmir Thompson
James Gadson
Chris Dave; Performer
Engineer: Ben Kane
Russell Elevado
Tony Rambo; Production
Flugelhorn: Roy Hargrove; Performer
Guitar: Spanky Alford
Isaiah Sharkey
D'angelo
Jesse Johnson
Mark Hammond; Performer
Keyboard: D'angelo; Performer
Organ: D'angelo; Performer
Piano: D'angelo; Performer
Sitar: D'angelo
Pino Palladino
Isaiah Sharkey; Performer
Steel Guitar: Spanky Alford
Isaiah Sharkey
Mark Hammond
Jesse Johnson
D'angelo; Performer
Synthesizer: D'angelo; Performer
Composer: D'angelo
Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson
Kendra Foster
N/a
?uestlove; Composer
Performer: D'angelo
The Vanguard
D'angelo And The Vanguard; Performer
Arranger: Roy Hargrove; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Russell Elevado; Production
Trumpet: Roy Hargrove; Performer
Primary Artist: D'angelo
The Vanguard; Main Performer
Producer: D'angelo; Production

4. Sugah Daddy

by D'angelo, The Vanguard

Background Vocals: Jermane Holmes
D'angelo
Kendra Foster
Ahrell Lumzy; Performer
Lyricist: James Gadson
Kendra Foster
Pino Palladino
D'angelo
Q-tip; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Mike Boden
Ricky Begin
Noah Goldstein
Nico Essig
Chris Soper
Justin Garrish
Martin Cooke
Mike Layos; Production
Bass: D'angelo
Pino Palladino; Performer
Drums: Chris Dave
Ahmir Thompson
James Gadson; Performer
Engineer: Ben Kane
Tony Rambo
Russell Elevado; Production
Guitar: Jesse Johnson
Isaiah Sharkey
Mark Hammond
Spanky Alford
D'angelo; Performer
Horn: Roy Hargrove; Performer
Keyboard: D'angelo; Performer
Organ: D'angelo; Performer
Composer: Kendra Foster
Pino Palladino
D'angelo
Q-tip
James Gadson
N/a; Composer
Performer: D'angelo
The Vanguard
D'angelo And The Vanguard; Performer
Piano: D'angelo; Performer
Sitar: Isaiah Sharkey
D'angelo
Pino Palladino; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Russell Elevado; Production
Programmer: Ahmir Thompson
D'angelo; Production
Synthesizer: D'angelo; Performer
Primary Artist: D'angelo
The Vanguard; Main Performer
Producer: D'angelo; Production

5. Really Love

by D'angelo, The Vanguard

Background Vocals: Jermane Holmes
D'angelo
Kendra Foster
Ahrell Lumzy; Performer
Baritone: Bill Reichenbach; Performer
Bass: Pino Palladino
D'angelo; Performer
Bass Clarinet: Alex Budman; Performer
Cello: Maurice Grants; Performer
Lyricist: Gina Figueroa
Kendra Foster
D'angelo; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Mike Boden
Chris Soper
Justin Garrish
Martin Cooke
Mike Layos
Nico Essig
Noah Goldstein
Ricky Begin; Production
Concert Master: Assa Drori; Production
Contrabass: Chuck Berghoffer; Performer
Drums: Ahmir Thompson
Chris Dave
James Gadson; Performer
Engineer: Rafa Sardina
Tony Rambo
Ben Kane
Russell Elevado; Production
Guitar: Jesse Johnson
Isaiah Sharkey
Mark Hammond
Spanky Alford
D'angelo; Performer
Horn: Roy Hargrove; Performer
Keyboard: D'angelo; Performer
Organ: D'angelo; Performer
Piano: D'angelo; Performer
Composer: D'angelo
Curtis Mayfield
N/a; Composer
Performer: D'angelo
The Vanguard
D'angelo And The Vanguard; Performer
Sitar: D'angelo
Pino Palladino
Isaiah Sharkey; Performer
Spoken Word: Gina Figueroa; Performer
Synthesizer: D'angelo; Performer
Viola: Elizabeth Wilson; Performer
Orchestra: Brent Fischer; Ensemble
Mixing Engineer: Russell Elevado
Ben Kane; Production
Programmer: D'angelo
Ahmir Thompson; Production
Violin: Anatoly Rosinsky; Performer
Primary Artist: D'angelo
The Vanguard; Main Performer
Producer: D'angelo; Production

6. Back to the Future (Part I)

by D'angelo, The Vanguard

Background Vocals: D'angelo
Jermane Holmes
Ahrell Lumzy
Kendra Foster; Performer
Lyricist: D'angelo; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ricky Begin
Noah Goldstein
Nico Essig
Mike Layos
Mike Boden
Martin Cooke
Justin Garrish
Chris Soper; Production
Bass: D'angelo
Pino Palladino; Performer
Drums: Ahmir Thompson
James Gadson
Chris Dave; Performer
Engineer: Ben Kane
Tony Rambo
Russell Elevado; Production
Guitar: Isaiah Sharkey
Mark Hammond
Jesse Johnson
D'angelo
Spanky Alford; Performer
Horn: Roy Hargrove; Performer
Keyboard: D'angelo; Performer
Organ: D'angelo; Performer
Composer: D'angelo
N/a; Composer
Performer: D'angelo
The Vanguard
D'angelo And The Vanguard; Performer
Piano: D'angelo; Performer
Sitar: D'angelo
Pino Palladino
Isaiah Sharkey; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Russell Elevado; Production
Programmer: D'angelo
Ahmir Thompson; Production
Synthesizer: D'angelo; Performer
Primary Artist: D'angelo
The Vanguard; Main Performer
Producer: D'angelo; Production

7. Till It's Done (Tutu)

by D'angelo, The Vanguard

Background Vocals: D'angelo
Jermane Holmes
Kendra Foster
Ahrell Lumzy; Performer
Lyricist: D'angelo
Pino Palladino
Kendra Foster
Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson
?uestlove; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Martin Cooke
Ricky Begin
Noah Goldstein
Nico Essig
Mike Layos
Mike Boden
Chris Soper
Justin Garrish; Production
Bass: D'angelo
Pino Palladino; Performer
Drums: Chris Dave
Ahmir Thompson
James Gadson; Performer
Engineer: Ben Kane
Tony Rambo
Russell Elevado; Production
Guitar: D'angelo
Mark Hammond
Isaiah Sharkey
Spanky Alford
Jesse Johnson; Performer
Horn: Roy Hargrove; Performer
Keyboard: D'angelo; Performer
Organ: D'angelo; Performer
Composer: D'angelo
Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson
Kendra Foster
Pino Palladino
N/a
?uestlove; Composer
Performer: D'angelo
The Vanguard
D'angelo And The Vanguard; Performer
Piano: D'angelo; Performer
Sitar: D'angelo
Pino Palladino
Isaiah Sharkey; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Russell Elevado; Production
Programmer: Ahmir Thompson
D'angelo; Production
Synthesizer: D'angelo; Performer
Primary Artist: D'angelo
The Vanguard; Main Performer
Producer: D'angelo; Production

8. Prayer

by D'angelo, The Vanguard

Background Vocals: D'angelo
Jermane Holmes
Ahrell Lumzy
Kendra Foster; Performer
Lyricist: D'angelo; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ricky Begin
Noah Goldstein
Nico Essig
Mike Layos
Mike Boden
Martin Cooke
Justin Garrish
Chris Soper; Production
Bass: D'angelo
Pino Palladino; Performer
Drums: Ahmir Thompson
James Gadson
Chris Dave; Performer
Engineer: Ben Kane
Tony Rambo
Russell Elevado; Production
Guitar: Isaiah Sharkey
Mark Hammond
Jesse Johnson
D'angelo
Spanky Alford; Performer
Horn: Roy Hargrove; Performer
Keyboard: D'angelo; Performer
Organ: D'angelo; Performer
Composer: D'angelo
N/a; Composer
Performer: D'angelo
The Vanguard
D'angelo And The Vanguard; Performer
Piano: D'angelo; Performer
Sitar: D'angelo
Pino Palladino
Isaiah Sharkey; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Russell Elevado; Production
Programmer: D'angelo
Ahmir Thompson; Production
Synthesizer: D'angelo; Performer
Primary Artist: D'angelo
The Vanguard; Main Performer
Producer: D'angelo; Production

9. Betray My Heart

by D'angelo, The Vanguard

Background Vocals: D'angelo
Jermane Holmes
Ahrell Lumzy
Kendra Foster; Performer
Lyricist: D'angelo; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ricky Begin
Noah Goldstein
Nico Essig
Mike Layos
Mike Boden
Martin Cooke
Justin Garrish
Chris Soper; Production
Bass: D'angelo
Pino Palladino; Performer
Drums: Ahmir Thompson
James Gadson
Chris Dave; Performer
Engineer: Ben Kane
Tony Rambo
Russell Elevado; Production
Guitar: Isaiah Sharkey
Mark Hammond
Jesse Johnson
D'angelo
Spanky Alford; Performer
Horn: Roy Hargrove; Performer
Keyboard: D'angelo; Performer
Organ: D'angelo; Performer
Composer: D'angelo
N/a; Composer
Performer: D'angelo
The Vanguard
D'angelo And The Vanguard; Performer
Piano: D'angelo; Performer
Sitar: D'angelo
Pino Palladino
Isaiah Sharkey; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Russell Elevado; Production
Programmer: D'angelo
Ahmir Thompson; Production
Synthesizer: D'angelo; Performer
Primary Artist: D'angelo
The Vanguard; Main Performer
Producer: D'angelo; Production

10. The Door

by D'angelo, The Vanguard

Background Vocals: Jermane Holmes
Kendra Foster
D'angelo
Ahrell Lumzy; Performer
Lyricist: Kendra Foster
D'angelo; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ricky Begin
Chris Soper
Justin Garrish
Martin Cooke
Mike Boden
Mike Layos
Nico Essig
Noah Goldstein; Production
Bass: Pino Palladino
D'angelo; Performer
Drums: Ahmir Thompson
Chris Dave
James Gadson; Performer
Engineer: Ben Kane
Russell Elevado
Tony Rambo; Production
Guitar: D'angelo
Isaiah Sharkey
Spanky Alford
Mark Hammond
Jesse Johnson; Performer
Horn: Roy Hargrove; Performer
Keyboard: D'angelo; Performer
Organ: D'angelo; Performer
Composer: Kendra Foster
D'angelo
N/a; Composer
Performer: D'angelo
The Vanguard
D'angelo And The Vanguard; Performer
Piano: D'angelo; Performer
Sitar: Isaiah Sharkey
Pino Palladino
D'angelo; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Russell Elevado; Production
Programmer: Ahmir Thompson
D'angelo; Production
Synthesizer: D'angelo; Performer
Primary Artist: D'angelo
The Vanguard; Main Performer
Producer: D'angelo; Production

11. Back to the Future (Part II)

by D'angelo, The Vanguard

Background Vocals: D'angelo
Jermane Holmes
Ahrell Lumzy
Kendra Foster; Performer
Lyricist: D'angelo; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ricky Begin
Noah Goldstein
Nico Essig
Mike Layos
Mike Boden
Martin Cooke
Justin Garrish
Chris Soper; Production
Bass: D'angelo
Pino Palladino; Performer
Drums: Ahmir Thompson
James Gadson
Chris Dave; Performer
Engineer: Ben Kane
Tony Rambo
Russell Elevado; Production
Guitar: Isaiah Sharkey
Mark Hammond
Jesse Johnson
D'angelo
Spanky Alford; Performer
Horn: Roy Hargrove; Performer
Keyboard: D'angelo; Performer
Organ: D'angelo; Performer
Composer: D'angelo
N/a; Composer
Performer: D'angelo
The Vanguard
D'angelo And The Vanguard; Performer
Piano: D'angelo; Performer
Sitar: D'angelo
Pino Palladino
Isaiah Sharkey; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Russell Elevado; Production
Programmer: D'angelo
Ahmir Thompson; Production
Synthesizer: D'angelo; Performer
Primary Artist: D'angelo
The Vanguard; Main Performer
Producer: D'angelo; Production

12. Another Life

by D'angelo, The Vanguard

Background Vocals: Ahrell Lumzy
Kendra Foster
Jermane Holmes
D'angelo; Performer
Lyricist: Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson
Kendra Foster
D'angelo
?uestlove; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Chris Soper
Ricky Begin
Noah Goldstein
Nico Essig
Mike Layos
Mike Boden
Martin Cooke
Justin Garrish; Production
Bass: Pino Palladino
D'angelo; Performer
Drums: James Gadson
Ahmir Thompson
Chris Dave; Performer
Engineer: Ben Kane
Russell Elevado
Tony Rambo; Production
Guitar: Isaiah Sharkey
Spanky Alford
D'angelo
Jesse Johnson
Mark Hammond; Performer
Horn: Roy Hargrove; Performer
Keyboard: D'angelo; Performer
Organ: D'angelo; Performer
Composer: Kendra Foster
Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson
D'angelo
N/a
?uestlove; Composer
Performer: D'angelo
The Vanguard
D'angelo And The Vanguard; Performer
Piano: D'angelo; Performer
Sitar: Isaiah Sharkey
Pino Palladino
D'angelo; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Russell Elevado; Production
Programmer: D'angelo
Ahmir Thompson; Production
Synthesizer: D'angelo; Performer
Primary Artist: D'angelo
The Vanguard; Main Performer
Producer: D'angelo; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

12 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

55 minutes and 54 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1500x1500 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

Studio Quality (Hi-Res)

24bit / 96 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Hi-Res/Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

All tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Soul, R&B, Contemporary R&B, Neo-Soul

Label

RCA Records Label

Music Distribution Service

Sony

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Dec 14, 2014

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

886444977449

Shopping cart

Notification

Black Messiah

1. Ain't That Easy

2. 1000 Deaths

3. The Charade

4. Sugah Daddy

5. Really Love

6. Back to the Future (Part I)

7. Till It's Done (Tutu)

8. Prayer

9. Betray My Heart

10. The Door

11. Back to the Future (Part II)

12. Another Life

Technical Specifications

Black Messiah

Product information

Release options

1. Ain't That Easy

2. 1000 Deaths

3. The Charade

4. Sugah Daddy

5. Really Love

6. Back to the Future (Part I)

7. Till It's Done (Tutu)

8. Prayer

9. Betray My Heart

10. The Door

11. Back to the Future (Part II)

12. Another Life

Technical Specifications