D’Angelo, Hammersmith Apollo

There are comebacks, and then there’s Black Messiah. Dropped suddenly at the end of 2014, in response to the tragic Ferguson and Eric Garner cases, D’Angelo’s first studio album in fourteen years became an instant classic. The R&B star has announced a second London show at the Hammersmith Apollo on 20th July 2015, following his sold out July show at The Roundhouse on 13th July and two sold out concerts at the Apollo earlier this year,
When he emerged with 1995’s Brown Sugar, D’Angelo’s unique fusion of funk, soul and RnB pushed the neo-soul movement to a new level. Deeply sensuous and yet refreshingly minimal, it used the sparest of hip-hop as an anchor for astounding vocal dexterity. With 2000’s Voodoo, he went several steps further, moving to a groove-based, jam-like sound that drew from gospel, ragtime, and vaudeville alongside funk and soul.
Then, at the height of his career, D’Angelo disappeared. After a topless music video exacerbated his body issues, he withdrew from public view for over a decade, succumbing to the unbearable combination of drug addiction and eating disorder.
D'Angelo fought bravely, however, and little by little, the bad times have receded. He started playing live again, and then, out of nowhere gave us Black Messiah. Even more richly layered than Voodoo, this new album adds jazz to the mix, emphasizing the power of a live band. Its twelve tracks are instantly irresistible and yet rewardingly dense, abounding with musical and lyrical interest. Let us hope he is back for good.