#23 of 100
· Cratewise Editorial
“Voodoo lands here because it's the moment neo-soul stopped being retro pastiche and became genuinely alive. D'Angelo and producer James Blake (yes, that James Blake) created something that sounds both timeless and impossibly modern—those Fender Rhodes stabs and loose, swinging drums feel organic in a way that makes most other soul records sound sterile. The deep cuts like "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" hit harder than the singles, and any first pressing captures that warm, intentional fidelity that reminds you why vinyl matters. It's essential, it's adventurous, and it's never sounded better than spinning wax.”
D'Angelo (Michael Eugene Archer) emerged as a neo-soul pioneer in the late 1990s, initially gaining recognition as a session musician and producer before launching his solo career. His 2000 debut album "Voodoo" became a landmark release, showcasing his virtuosic production, live instrumentation, and sophisticated arrangements that revitalized soul music. After a 14-year hiatus, he returned with "Black Messiah" (2014), a politically charged album that demonstrated his continued relevance and studio mastery. His work spans R&B, soul, and funk, characterized by meticulous attention to detail, live musicianship, and conscious lyricism.
Style
D'Angelo blends contemporary R&B with live funk, soul, and jazz instrumentation, creating a sophisticated neo-soul sound defined by rich production, intricate harmonies, and organic arrangements that emphasize musicianship over digital production.
Significance
D'Angelo's albums are essential purchases for vinyl collectors interested in modern soul and R&B, with "Voodoo" particularly prized for its production quality and cultural impact in revitalizing live instrumentation in hip-hop and R&B during the late 1990s.
Voodoo, D'Angelo's second studio album, was recorded over nearly two years at various studios in New York, Los Angeles, and New Jersey. Released in January 2000, the album featured an all-star roster of collaborators including bassist James Poyser, drummer Questlove (The Roots), keyboardist Raphael Saadiq, and producers including DJ Premier and Madlib. D'Angelo stripped away much of the polished production from his debut Brown Sugar, instead embracing a raw, jazz-influenced approach with live instrumentation. The album was notably self-produced by D'Angelo alongside his collaborators, giving him creative control over every aspect. The extended recording timeline allowed the artist to refine arrangements obsessively, with some tracks featuring extended jamming sessions that were later edited into their final forms.
Historical Context
Voodoo arrived during a pivotal moment in R&B and hip-hop when the genre was experiencing creative renaissance. The late 1990s saw increasing crossover between live jazz musicianship and contemporary R&B, influenced by artists like Robert Glasper and the neo-soul movement. Upon release, the album received critical acclaim but modest initial commercial success, eventually establishing itself as a landmark work that presaged the neo-soul explosion of the 2000s. Critics praised its organic production and D'Angelo's vocal virtuosity. The album's influence grew significantly over subsequent years, becoming foundational to discussions of contemporary R&B's artistic evolution.
Pressing Notes
The original 2000 Virgin Records pressing on 180-gram vinyl is the primary collector's edition. Early pressings featured mastering by George Marino at The Mastering Lab. The album has been reissued several times, including a 2016 remaster. Collectors should verify pressing quality, as some later variants have less dynamic sound than original releases. The gatefold artwork features photographer Erwin Olaf's provocative imagery. Original pressings are generally preferred by audiophiles for their superior pressing quality and dynamic range compared to later digital-sourced reissues.
Baduizm
Erykah Badu
Features the same neo-soul aesthetic with live instrumentation, ethereal vocals, and deep grooves that define D'Angelo's production approach.
Donuts
J Dilla
Offers the same meticulous attention to sonic detail and jazz-influenced production with a warm, analog vinyl aesthetic that complements Voodoo's sound.
Also Appears On
Essential Soul & Funk on Vinyl
“Questlove, Pino Palladino, and D'Angelo building grooves so deep they have their own gravity. Neo-soul's masterpiece. 'Untitled (How Does It Feel)' is the greatest slow jam of the century.”
Sounds Better on Wax
“The grooves on this record are so deep they need physical space to breathe. Questlove's drums, Pino's bass — on vinyl, the low end moves air. On streaming, it's background music. On vinyl, it's furniture.”
Apple Music 100 Best Albums
“Sparse soul arrangement with Questlove's drumming anchoring every track. D'Angelo produced the whole thing himself, proving a minimal approach swings harder than anything overproduced.”
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