Voodoo: How D'Angelo Created a Masterpiece

[@diggingthegreats]

What's your favorite song on Voodoo?

[@marleycarroll]

It'll always be The Root for me

[@cwwheelz]

Spanish Joint gets mad play from me.

[@greedokenobi3855]

Devil’s Pie was my joint

[@samanderson4413]

One mo'gin ... The Root... I love it all.. I remember ordering this album and picking it up from the record store as I had pre-ordered it. What a time ❤

[@ClydeStarke]

Still my all time favorite album ever, so cant we just cheat a little bit and call the whole album a song...? My top 3: Send It On / The Root / Greatdayndamornin an Spanish Joint, because 3 is not enough.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Incredible video! Honored to contribute! This record is on my "Mount Rushmore" for sure and still find new things in it each time I listen! Thank you for doing this!

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you for the Charlie Hunter clips! Everyone needs to watch the full thing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWXcpX-feq2ooZI

[@michaelmadcat]

Wow! This is a cool interaction to see. I saw a previous video about D'Angelo on Digging the Greats and that led me to become a Charlie Hunter fan. After becoming a fan, I landed on that VertexEffects interview with Charlie. And here I am back on DTG seeing this convo. It's all connected! 😀 Thank you both for spreading the word and educating us about such great music!

[@MegaVern1]

I had the pleasure of seeing this Charlie Hunter video and it’s amazing! Please go check it out!

[@emmp6799]

I saw the video as well before the release of this wonderful explanatory and even poetical video. Seeing Charlie Hunter playing Spanish Joint blew my mind. Hard to say so many years later, but I was completely tricked by thinking bass and guitar were recorded at separate times. Those musical of then and those KZbin collaborations of now, are what the world needs more.

[@andre.as.kyriakou]

The humour, humanity, and love of these videos are truly their best parts.

[@diggingthegreats]

🙏🙏

[@meowraiu2]

well said :)

[@csharp57]

D’Angelo is the reason why I’m a multi instrumentalist. I don’t really have music heroes, but Prince and D’Angelo are influential to my journey.

[@raggedyhaggity250]

a person of culture❤🎉

[@chris_producing]

exactly

[@ztucky]

Listening to quantized Voodoo is really something I never wanna do again

[@diggingthegreats]

I'M SORRY 😂

[@ehfemzee_1]

​I should've heeded your advisory lol ​@@diggingthegreats

[@runtheptnite]

That may have been the most brilliant way to explain what makes Voodoo (& Dilla's influence) so special... ... and low-key it was still groovin' 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@_DeLaG]

Yeah, that was a genius idea to make a point

[@stephanschuster9106]

When seeing D'Angelo live a few years ago he closed the concert answering the longstanding question: It feels so good. And it did indeed.

[@sumsaudi]

Experiencing Voodoo on Vinyl for the first time was a true experience, the Record sounds sooo good. it felt like your sitting in Electric Lady, and your right there with them. Voodoo is a Perfect 10.

[@MegaVern1]

RIP to Dilla and Roy Hargrove🙏🏽❤️🕊️🎶🎶

[@dand1585]

Charlie Hunter is crazy

[@diggingthegreats]

Agreed

[@dand1585]

@ garage a trois is a cool listen if you haven’t checked it out

[@CantTellYou]

Amazing. Watching that full video, I was straight up giggling like a child lol it's just so good

[@channeloram]

Anticipation is a huge part of music enjoyment and fulfilling that anticipation is what triggers endorphins in your brain. That's why when things are played behind the beat it creates a sort of micro tension which perculates and builds up as the song progresses. It's like edging for your ears and brain guys

[@runtheptnite]

🤯

[@soleybeverage]

This album changed my life. Back then, I was a professional musician, when I heard it the first time, I didn't like it. I was into noodling and lots of notes. But the more I listened to it, the more I understood that it's not about the notes, it's about the space in between. It changed my approach to music and my approach to life. Also, I did have the priviledge of seeing the tour in 2000. I have seen thousands of shows, but that one was by far the best thing I've ever witnessed happening on a stage.

[@CantTellYou]

that FEEL! Wish I wasn't an actual 10 year old when that tour came around lol I remember hearing radio promo and everything but I was just too young to know better (or have a wallet)

[@krispyboi2519]

Dropped everything and grabbed a snack when I saw this in my notifications. D'angelo and Maxwell the best RnB singers since Marvin died. I remember when this channel had 500 subs man. Keep up the great work.

[@diggingthegreats]

Appreciate you sticking with me from the beginning 🙏

[@MicahXXIII]

AMEN!

[@Fureddo28]

Voodoo is by far my favorite album of all time. I was 20 when it released, and till this day, I keep enjoying it, discovering a new layer of flavor I haven’t heard yet. Your dissecting this album feel like a sommelier at a fine restaurant telling me about the most exquisite wine I’ve just ordered, adding to the whirl experience, a new way to perceive it on a sensory level. Thank you sir.

[@God2myheart]

D'Angelo is MY goat. I know all this information, but I STILL watched all 25 mins. It's like watching your favorite movie over and over again.

[@moonrocks]

Your enthusiasm for music is infectious. A video about Voodoo is just icing on the cake

[@petercockroach]

I was waiting for this video :) It's probably my favorite album of all time. I never thought I'd ever get to experience the end of Untitled but when he came back over a decade later and played a live show, I was in tears as one by one, each of his band members took a bow and stopped playing until it was just D' and his keys. Such a phenomenal moment.

[@MLHunt]

This is one of the best pieces of music writing/analysis I've ever experienced. You always bring it but you outdid yourself on this one bruh.

[@theonlycaamz]

common digging the greats w

[@diggingthegreats]

Glad to be back 🙏

[@theonlycaamz]

@diggingthegreats glad you're back, i dig that parks and rec reference too

[@diggingthegreats]

@@theonlycaamz Ginuwine? Ginuwine is Ginuwine! Girl doesn't even know who Ginuwine is

[@JJpugle0n0]

This channel is so good and I loved this video. Never stop making videos ever!! You're too awesome

[@Chris-zs6fd]

Thank you for doing this. I initially listened to the first few tracks of Voodoo in my early twenties and bounced off it. I was looking for a "funky" sound, but it was too gritty for me. I returned to it for the first time over the pandemic and it completely rocked my world. Now ALL I WANT TO DO in my own music is replicate this groove. I even got a piano teacher to break down the harmony of EVERY SINGLE TRACK so I could decipher it and take its teaching for myself.

[@cequario]

You might did the most important video you ever shared here.. blessings to you brother. 🙏

[@tatianaplp]

I’m in tears because this album was everything to me. I was 13 and had already fell in love with the first album so when this second one was released I was glued to my cd player. Heard it so many times I had to buy a new CD because I wore out the first one. This album definitely shaped my music taste and how I chose to express myself as an artist and performer❤️ Thank you for this

[@The_pebble_music]

I'm very grateful that these subjects get treated. And thank you for being so sincere in the way you treat them. Makes me happy and makes me want to listen all of these records again and make my own again.

[@christianinfinity8206]

Becoming a patreon member specifically because of this video

[@diggingthegreats]

I know I'm biased, but I think it's worth it just for this video!

[@davaughn.mp3]

This is in my top 2 all time albums, Africa is maybe my favorite song ever. Thanks for covering it. I was born the year this album came out, amazing that it's still touching people of all ages 25 years later.

[@yusufmhassan]

Africa is a hidden gem on that album

[@ClarenceWashington-nv1hg]

this time last year i’d never even heard of this album. exactly 1 year later it’s my favourite album of all time and what i consider to be the best in history. ❤

[@meowraiu2]

you're probably the biggest reason (apart from my ears) why i absolutely adore the native tongues and soulquarian movements so much

[@eljeer123]

I remember having dinner with a friend a few doors down from Electric Lady it was freaking cold as we were walking out all of these cars were outside and a dude my height ( i'm short lol) was walking to the car and it was D, I was like oh shit. I gave him a pound and said i love your work and he was gracious and said thank you. I was so excited for Voodoo and it didn't disappoint. It is his magnum opus it has been 25 years since its release damn I'm getting old lol. Thank you for the video. Long live Voodoo. 😊❤

[@JakeBodenhamer]

one of my favourite albums EVER

[@oldmanmikey]

Bro I thought I knew a lot history, but his channel truly not just educates me, but inspires me!

[@chrischarles7472]

Dope breakdown as always! I've met Charlie Hunter several times as he lives in NC like me. He played a few gigs at a local jazz spot and is as talented as he is humble. Solid dude.

[@nullnullnull_03]

One of the most enjoyable albums i've ever heard of thanks for giving this masterpiece a time

[@mcelf168]

Bravo! Another awesome video for a classic album! Thank you for the strong work

[@worldwidesparty]

Let me tell you, D’Angelo’s Voodoo album has had me hooked since it dropped. The rhythms, the flow, the sound, the composition-everything about it is absolutely incredible. You’re spot on; this album has a vibe that’s more than just music. D’Angelo is truly talented, and I really miss having his level of artistry in the R&B scene.

[@MakeSomeNoisePlaylists]

Charlie Hunter is KING

[@tkjm94]

Bring on the Pino video!! Love the guy.

[@-Banana-Bro-]

Idk how this channel hasn’t hit a million subs yet. Your videos are so criminal underrated. Much love for teaching me so much about the history of hip hop!

[@n.e.r.d3730]

I can;t say this enough,, I LOVE your videos, the way you storytell and your editing style, everything comes together so perfectly. Every video is truly a masterpiece. So grateful to be on this side of KZbin!

[@thesuncollective1475]

I love how bold and innovative the process was. Defiant . He influenced me . I made a track called Crush , told my producer I wanted a D Angelo feel. It tool me a year to write it!

[@DocScOOp]

This is THE perfect album. 10/10 💯

[@G_Gr00v3]

I bought Voodoo in college at my private drum teacher's recommendation, and there was a period of two months where I'd only listen to only that and Brown Sugar on loop. Amazing stuff!

[@prodwolves]

This is an amazing Video man, discovered you recently and you just keep dropping gems and entertaining people. I haven't even yet listened to the album for the first time but im definetly gonna do that now! ❤🙏

[@ruhaidai]

First time I head Voodoo I was sitting in a really nice park in summer near the UK consolate in Amsterdam. Whilst waiting for an emergency passport, I listened to the full album, smoking a joint. I'll never forget that moment in my life. Everytime I hear Voodoo, im transported back there.

[@dfoster4001]

Great breakdown of probably my #2 R&B album of all time (Thriller is really hard to overtake…). But def the best soul project I’ve experienced as an adult. Charlie Hunter’s a musical genius!! *in my Eddie Murphy voice*.

[@yusufmhassan]

"Ha ha very funny mfer." Classic reference ✊🏿

[@TheVelvetRoom-ul7gx]

Thank you for making this video. Like D'Angelo. although I loved his first album. It had a commercial feel at times. I always felt for Voodoo. All the musicians were locked away and allowed to produce what they always wanted to produce, without any outside interference. And now I know, thats exactly what happened.❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥

[@BeatsbyBlanch]

This whole album has imprinted on my personality. Something about this album just oozes swag and feel. I try my best to personify this whole aesthetic in how I live and how I play my instrument.

[@matthewsmith5816]

Love this video! 👏🏾 Can we please get an in-depth synopsis on “Black Messiah” as well?!!! It’s an album that deserves more attention, praise and accolades 🙏🏽

[@benbauer7866]

The weird thing about explaining the Dilla timefeel is that once you’re heard enough tracks with that feel, it feels right and I don’t really hear how it’s “wrong.”

[@demo199501]

Man, I love your videos so much! I always learn a ton about my favorite records every time I watch your stuff. You're so talented!

[@meshacknewman4697]

This breakdown makes me appreciate the music even more. Thank you 🙏🏿

[@lcestrella]

Amazing video, one of my favorite albums of all time ❤

[@2k7digga]

Perfect video. Even more perfect album!!!!

[@MicahXXIII]

This breakdown is the one. I'm done being on the outside, I'm joining your Patreon! I found your channel a couple of months ago (EDIT: November 2023) Thank you for appreciating and emphasizing the beauty that is held within this music. This album is in my top 5 for all of the reasons you've illustrated in this video and more. Thank you for that Common Be breakdown! Thank you for the College Dropout breakdown! The GKMC breakdown! The Soulquarians tribute (they, who with love, raised me through speakers). I still have a ton to dig through, and I will, at the right pace... I can't ring off more than 2-3 of your videos at a time, I end up putting records on and fall off the grid, lol. I knew you were the real deal when you dropped that Really Love deep dive. I see your dedication, and I will no longer take it for granted. Thank you for everything you do here! Peace and love, Brother!

[@akmadsen]

Your ending basically describes what's called "cognitive categorization" in cognitive sciences and it's ridiculously interesting, because it makes it a lot easier for us to deal with all the input/stimulus we're constantly experiencing (simply by virtue of existing in the world) since we can identify and classify things a lot faster. We don't have to understand the concept "chair" from scratch every time we see a new chair because we assume that all chairs share some basic features (even though there's rarely a fixed set of features that matches _all_ members of a category, but that's an entire field of study in itself), but it does come with some trade-offs that sometimes mean that we gloss over the individuality of things and have a harder time dealing with things that don't clearly fall into one category or the other. As I said, ridiculously interesting and I haven't previously thought about Voodoo in that way, but I'll go give it another listen through these new ear-goggles and see what it brings. Thanks!

[@CantTellYou]

Ridiculously interesting indeed lol If we were to think of "top 10 psychedelic albums" basically no one would think of Voodoo, but it actually DOES belong on that list for all of the reasons he stated at the end of this video. It's imperfectly perfect musically & the fact that you can barely understand the lyrics helps a lot too ;)

[@berrybuster]

@akmadsen @@CantTellYou Well said, the both of you!!

[@pianopeter]

Dope video, thank you!! 🔥

[@rts3618]

Bro - outstanding video from Alpha to Omega 👏 Thanks for the inspiration information 💯 Ha, that crap with Charlie Hunter is hot damn gnarly. Btw, bought that Dilla book on your rec. Looking forward to reading it now

[@diggingthegreats]

Incredible book!

[@honson7]

The way you said, “ the original way of making a record” at 5:50 sounded like you were rapping. I had to rewind it because I liked how it sounded so much!

[@BoogieBoyBrown]

Pino's son plays bass with Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes I believe.

[@JacobMcCaslin]

I’ve been waiting for this video since day 1

[@esotericprana]

A truly timeless record, and one I never tire of.

[@Bourbon_user101]

So much fun information! Always appreciate your work.

[@renebijlmakers9756]

I've been waiting for this video for like a year

[@waynesmiley2207]

One of the first albums I bought when I started rebuying my favorite R&B CDs in vinyl form right here!

[@yusufmhassan]

This video should be a case study on how to do a video analysis of an album. Love all your videos. This one is next level

[@streamofthought]

I wonder if Africa was "inspired" by Dilla as well. He has the song Brazilian Groove that is very similar. Jay had been snubbed a few times and had to remind people who he was. Great content as always!!

[@khaliljamarr]

I was just talking to someone about how being born in 1999 and growing up listening to neo soul has made the feel and groove of Dilla and D'Angelo's influence almost instinctual to me. So when people say it was crazy new thing back then, I think about how it's almost all I've ever known.

[@mellodope8904]

This album expanded my imagination. When I think I've lost myself, I listen and get inspired all over again.

[@J.Gabi999]

I LOVE THIS ALBUM SO MUCH OMG

[@diggingthegreats]

SAME

[@giothakidd]

Loved this album

[@runtheptnite]

I've spent more time listening to Voodoo than any other album. This video is a wonderful tribute.

[@mediawolf1]

When you get around to that video on Jamerson, check out "How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone" by- Diana Ross & The Supremes. I could listen to that groove on repeat. The first 30 seconds, Lordy.

[@johanneskolaczek4984]

I love the way you think about Voodoo and the idea of Tolstoi. The record is one of my all-time favs!

[@MISTERON80]

you gotta check out bill conti's "for your eyes only" soundtrack! "melina's revenge", "runaway" & my personal favorite - "a drive in the country"

[@ExFriendlyStuff]

Brilliant work sir!

[@maximilianfunke6615]

Fiiiiiiinally i know why ‚how does it feel’ stops so abruptly ❤

[@TheFizzjunior]

Charlie Hunter is crazy. Damn

[@BrandonSunn]

This is my favorite album of all time EASILY!!

[@JivkoYordanov]

Great video, amazing resume! Thanks for doing this one!

[@snakebake24]

I was waiting for this one, god DAMN!!

[@daisukesasada7041]

Charlie hunter is the new goal now holy fuckin shit

[@artisans8521]

Bought the album 2 weeks ago. It came to me in the second-hand CD section of my favorite record store (Sounds in Venlo). Now I have three of the four and all came to me, in the same box, at the same store. That list being based on "High Fidelity". That Sandberg has 2 cables eminating from it. I guess one is the 4 bottom strings, the other us the 2 top strings running through an octaver. Best DTG ever, love it as much as I love the album.

[@lekani11]

Absolute perfection.

[@Binkley447]

What a special video for for a special album. Thank you for this

[@greedokenobi3855]

Love that analogy with the giraffe!

[@ErrSupremo]

A VODOO DEEP DIVE ON DTG?? this made my week, thank you :)

[@sinalosintwa]

i listen to this album religiously and yet i just found more reasons to jam it even more 😭

[@WildRaven11]

Such a great video🙌🏽💜💜💜

[@WesleyVerhoevePhotography]

Just incredible, the album and once again your video

[@ranwalker1]

Excellent job!

[@relativelybadparking]

such an awesome video!! thank you!

[@vgb90000]

Dope - loving the feeeeels 🌊🌊👏👏💯

[@shuflbeats]

Let’s goooo!!!! Classic fr

[@damianscott2630]

Wonderful video! There are songs on this album that many have never heard and should get more recognition. And to add to your to-do list, you're going to have to touch on Raphael Saadiq and Tony Toni Tone at some point (Sons of Soul was partly recorded in my homeland of Trinidad & Tobago at Caribbean Sound Basin). Would love for you to break down My Ex!

[@TheFizzjunior]

I mean, you got to love TTT! They were well beyond just the infatuation with New Jack Swing thatbwas happening in the late 80's/early 90's. They were truly a class R&B/Soul band in any era. That said, New Jack Swing still kicks ass.

[@MohamadAlRifai]

Always a joy to geek out here

[@Luke_Romeo]

Voodoo is a masterpiece. This video is a masterpiece ❤

[@no.22onthebeat]

Such a great video

[@Black-co4nn]

Amazing video mate! You did miss Lewis Taylor’s influence on the album thou hey. Especially “untitled” as it was influenced by LT-Damn. Pretty sure D’angelo even mentions it.

[@Ohyesss31]

I love your love for music bro. You got a new sub. I also love music and love D’Angelo and the whole soulquarians for that matter. Thank you 🙏🏾

[@IGBUCKETS3]

Just got into a dangelo rut, perfect timing. Share the same bday with this album too

[@TheFlippertube]

Saw Charlie Hunter with TJ Kirk at Yoshi's Oakland (RIP) in 94. Well worth seeing him in person.