Much more than just a make-out album.
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Hardcore vinyl-ites crave the analog sound. We seek out pre-digital era records, and rejoice in reissues mastered from analog source tapes. So when I heard that Light in the Attic records was reissuing D’Angelo’s Voodoo and that they were mastering it from analog source tapes I was stoked. Win!
D’angelo’s Voodoo is an exceptional album. By exceptional I mean quality, and by exceptional I mean unique.
“Spanish Joint”. Horns are mellow in tone, and the overall vibe is earthy. Questlove’s cross-stick and snare are rhythmic, tight, and funky, and Hargrove’s horn playing comes through smooth and clear. This track is a masterpiece of modern RNB jazz-dance, benefitting here from the analog treatment, and daring you not to groove.
“Send it on” is one of those tracks that is okay on cd/mp3, but really comes to life on vinyl. What a gorgeous track. Lush vocal harmonies, rhythmic and funky guitar playing sprinkled with shimmery and tasty embellishments. Hot. The playing is hot. Bass. Pino Palladino is steady as a rock, and his ‘61 pbass has that woody warm tone its famous for. Questlove’s kit paying is vintage Questlove. Minimal and tight. This rhythm section holds the groove together with rare ease and energy.
“One Mo’ Gin”. Is it possible to not get in “the mood” listening to this track? What a groove. Laid back, but tight and energetic. Pino’s bass and D’angelo’s wah-wah organ are fused atop Questlove’s steady and minimal beat. Rhodes licks are sprinkled atop. And D’s sweet vocals and harmonies... This shit is REAL! Man I love this stuff.
The quality of this pressing is as laid-back and ‘analog-y’ as it is clean. Resolution is high, and the mastering for vinyl is excellent. But it’s not just the sound quality that makes this record. It’s the songs, the arrangement, the musicianship, and the obvious love of music that contribute to the warmth and funkiness of D’angelo’s masterwork.
Verdict: Just get it.
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