Big up's to "D'Angelo" on his second CD on the Virgin Records label titled "Voodoo." The black poet laureate of music has come again to wow us with his perfection in word and music.

"Voodoo," a 13 track CD, is full of slammin' songs. The first track, "Playa Playa," is funky as hell, with a mid tempo grove that's steeped in the "D'Angelo" flow. He entreats us to "play on, playas, play on," so we will. He next gives us a slice of the "Devil's Pie," a deep look into the corrupt society in which we live. You might not understand a lot of the words, but the bumping beat will keep your head nodding.

"Left & Right" is the way "D'Angelo" wants that sexy thang to keep her groove thing moving. He keeps the bump beat going on this next cut. When you listen don't just nod it off - your head I mean. Work that neck sistas!! "Method Man and Redman" bring that rough edge to the song that puts it over the hip-hop top.

Let's slow it down and listen to "The Line," a lazy back beat cut. "D'Angelo" is telling us that he's "for real" and he wants to "put it on the line," which I feel he does in this, and every song, on the CD. "Send It On," the next cut, keeps that same tempo, feeling, and emotion going. This song makes you think of those times when you hold that lover tight on the dance floor, close your eyes and just feel.

Slow down that butterfly when you get your groove on to "Chicken Grease." Here's the song to get you out of your seat and make you "shake it off" and "do what you want." I wanted to play "One Mo'gin" one mo'gin and again. I like the deliberateness of the beat and the words of this song. It's a very simple and straight forward song from such a complex soul. "The Root" is a jazzy tune with a complexity of word and instrument that dazzles the ears and the mind, while the Latin feel of "Spanish Joint" will make you swivel those hips in the great salsa tradition. The mariachi feel of the horns and guitar are a superb element in this muy grande cut.

"D'Angelo" does a great job in tribute to the one and only Roberta Flack with one of her best known hits, "Feel Like Makin' Love." It's one of my favorites that I myself have done on occasion live. It's a feel good song when you perform it. Another cut with that traditional "take you to church feeling" is "Greatdayindamornin." In this song, "D'Angelo" tells us that he's still looking for "a great day in the morning." The "Untitled" cut may be famous for "D'Angelo's" exposed body in the video, but the song alone has great merit. It is a plaintive love song straight from the heart.

I love the jungle drums in the final cut of "Voodoo," along with the chimes in the background. "Africa" is a trip to the motherland in song, and "D'Angelo" does it again. His style and uniqueness make his work well worth the wait of two years of production. The fusion of his influences (Stevie Wonder, The Artist (Prince), Al Green, Jimi Hendrix and more) into a perfect blend for a wonderful presentation, is worth every cent. Go get this album today!!