D'Angelo's Messianic 2014 return and new song

New York is buzzing with the news that enigmatic r&b singer / songwriter D’Angelo is about to make his long awaited return with a new album called ‘Black Messiah’. His 1995 debut 'Brown Sugar' changed the shape and mood of r&b and is regarded as a benchmark recording in the genre it more or less created, neo-soul. It’s been a monumental 14 year gap since the follow up album ‘Voodoo’ and this potential third album has gained near mythical status due to false starts and dashed hopes over it’s no-show.

The comeback album has been quoted as “99% done” for quite some time now. Cryptic comments from associates and musicians around D’Angelo suggest a dramatic shift in direction from the neo-soul sound he carved out in the 1990s. In fact, at a recent double of London dates at Brixton Academy he confounded fans with an explosive set of super heavyweight funk, steeped in rock. Former Prince acolyte, and one time member of funk band The Time, guitarist Jesse Johnson was in the band weilding a Hendrix-like axe. Former Robert Glasper Experiment drummer Chris ‘Daddy’ Dave was on drums.

D'Angelo's friend and colleague Quest Love, from the band The Roots, had previously said the singer has recorded nearly 30 new songs in the last couple of years. Commenting on this new album he said, "It's potent. It's funky. It's an extremely hard pill to swallow.”

'Black Messiah' is to be premiered at a New York listening party this Sunday hosted by renowned writer Nelson George. Relevant posters have also been spotted in the city and a mysterious teaser was posted by D’Angelo’s manager on You Tube. One tweet even appeared to show the finished CD and cover.

D’Angelo also has an extensive European tour lined up for February and March next year, including three dates in the UK in London, Manchester and Birmingham.

Listen to D'Angelo's new song 'Sugah Daddy', released as a free download by Red Bull Music, below.

Tweeted picture purports to show a finished D'Angelo 'Black Messiah' CD.