American neo-soul artist Michael Eugene Archer(1974), raised in a preacher family, experienced early influences of church and soul music. Belief remained an essential part of his life, physically uttered by verse four of psalm 23 tattooed on his arm.
In the 90's insecure, glasses-wearing Archer met golden voice Angie Stone. She inspired him and made him feel better about himself with all her love and dedication. They started dating each other, had a son and helped each other produce thrilling tracks such as Everyday. They joined forces on Stone’s Black Diamond album(1999).
D’Angelo collaborated with Ali Shaheed Muhammad of a Tribe called Quest on his debut Brown Sugar(1995, RCA Records). Stone was in charge of the backing vocals on this album, which earned platinum certification and drew attention to the 90's neo soul movement, along with debut albums by Lauryn Hill, Maxwell and Erykah Badu.
Collaborations with J-Dilla(So Far to go, Tell me), Raphael Saadiq( You’re my lady; U should be here, Instant Vintage), Erykah Badu (Your Precious Love and Heaven), Mary J Blige (Would you), Lauryn Hill( Nothing even matters, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill) and DJ Premier(Devil's pie) add to his credits.
Following his debut album's success the singer-songwriter went into a four-and-a-half-year absence from the music scene.
Follow-up Voodoo(2000, Virgin Records) won two Grammy awards, for best R & B album and best male R&B vocal performance.
Redman and Method Man featured on the album’s lead single Left and Right. However it was the second single How Does it feel, produced by Raphael Saadiq, that became an enormous hit. It's sensual video clip was both d’Angelo’s worldwide breakthrough and his downfall.
Although these two neo-soul master pieces were cited as two of the most excellent R & B albums, his acquired sex symbol status wasn't exactly stimulating his way of living. His focus on the music turned into an obsession with sex, drugs and rock 'n roll. And then it suddenly went silent around him. Self-reflection finally started kicking in when he lost his friend James Yancey aka J- Dilla in 2006.
In 2008 Archer was asked asked to sing on Q- tip's Believe track.(The Renaissance album)
This year the man's comeback tour throughout Europe proved incredulous critics that he remains a neo-soul icon. Accompanied by a sublime band, he is once again showing his multi-instrumentalist abilities(guitar and piano) in a superior show.
His Ghent Jazz festival jam made mouths gape, hips move, eyes shine and minds feel like making love.
Nowadays one is often disillusioned by live neo-soul or hip hop performances but this man isn't one of those delusional want-to-be-seen studio artists, he is the true human representation of pure funkiness.
In the words of former partner Angie Stone: « D'Angelo will always be d'Angelo. « Respect the talent of the Marvin Gaye of this day.
D'Angelo's 2012 tour band:
Jermaine Holmes
Kendra Foster
Cleo Sample
Rob Lumzy(backing vocals)
Isaiah Sharkey(rhythm guitar)
Jesse Johnson( guitar)
Pino Palladino(bass)
Raymond Angry(keyboard)
Chris Dave(drum)
Studio albums
Brown Sugar 1995
Voodoo 2000
Live albums
Live at the jazz café 1998
Compilations
The Best so far 2008
Remix album
Voodoo DJ Soul Essentials 2000
