The Vanguard (3) – Black Messiah
Tracklist
| A1 | Ain't That Easy | |
| A2 | 1000 Deaths | |
| A3 | The Charade | |
| B1 | Sugah Daddy | |
| B2 | Really Love | |
| C1 | Back To the Future (Part I) | |
| C2 | Till It's Done (Tutu) | |
| C3 | Prayer | |
| D1 | Betray My Heart | |
| D2 | The Door | |
| D3 | Back To the Future (Part II) | |
| D4 | Another Life |
Companies, etc.
- Phonographic Copyright ℗ – RCA Records
- Copyright © – RCA Records
- Record Company – Sony Music Entertainment
- Marketed By – Sony Music Entertainment
- Distributed By – Sony Music Entertainment
- Published By – Ah-Choo Music Publishing
- Published By – BMG Bumblebee
- Published By – Ear Kandy Music
- Published By – Gadtoon Music
- Published By – Legendelphia Music LLC
- Published By – Onip Songs
- Published By – Songs Of SMP
- Published By – U Betta Like My Muzik
- Published By – Universal Music-Careers
- Published By – Universal Polygram International Publishing
- Published By – Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
- Published By – 12:00 AM Music
- Recorded At – MSR Studios
- Recorded At – Hydra SF
- Recorded At – Henson Recording Studios
- Recorded At – The Plant Studios
- Recorded At – Sear Sound
- Recorded At – Avatar Studios
- Recorded At – Quad Recording Studios
- Mixed At – MSR Studios
- Mixed At – Henson Recording Studios
- Mastered At – Record Technology Incorporated – 23611
- Lacquer Cut At – Masterdisk
- Pressed By – Record Technology Incorporated
Credits
- Arranged By [Strings] – Brent Fischer
- Art Direction [For], Design [For] – Multiply (2)
- Art Direction, Design – Exposure America
- Backing Vocals – Kendra Foster
- Bass, Sitar – Pino Palladino
- Creative Director – Erwin Gorostiza
- Drums – James Gadson
- Drums, Drum Programming – Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson*
- Engineer [Additional] – Tony Rambo
- Engineer [Assistant] – Ricky Begin*
- Executive-Producer, Management – Kevin Liles
- Guitar, Steel Guitar, Classical Guitar [Nylon Guitar] – Mark Hammond (4)
- Guitar, Steel Guitar, Classical Guitar [Nylon Guitar], Sitar – Isaiah Sharkey
- Lacquer Cut By – Alex De Turk*
- Legal [Representation] – Samantha Shipp
- Management – Shelltoe Entertainment
- Management [Business] – Monarch Business And Wealth Management, LLC
- Mastered By – Dave Collins
- Mixed By [Additional], Engineer – Ben Kane
- Mixed By, Engineer – Russell Elevado
- Other [Personal Assistant To D'Angelo] – Malcolm Fernando Kee
- Photography By – Barron Claiborne
- Photography By [Live Photography] – Carine Bijlsma
- Piano, Organ, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Guitar, Steel Guitar, Classical Guitar [Nylon], Sitar, Bass, Drum Programming, Backing Vocals – D'Angelo
- Strings, Cello [Uncredited] – Maurice Grants
- Strings, Double Bass [Uncredited] – Chuck Berghoffer*
- Strings, Violin [Uncredited] – Elizabeth Wilson (3)
- Trombone [Uncredited] – Bill Reichenbach (2)
- Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn, Arranged By [Brass and Horns] – Roy Hargrove
- Violin [Uncredited], Strings – Anatoly Rosinsky
- Vocals [Spoken] – Gina*
- Woodwind – Alex Budman
Notes
Gatefold sleeve.
Includes eight-page booklet with a code.
℗ 2014 & © 2015 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. Marketed and distributed by Sony Music Entertainment, 550 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022-3211.
A1: Published by Ah Choo Music Publishing (ASCAP)/12:00 AM Music (ASCAP) (istered by Universal Polygram International Publishing), U Betta Like My Muzic/Songs Of SMP (ASCAP), Ear Kandy Music (BMI)
A2: Published by Ah Choo Music Publishing (ASCAP)/12:00 AM Music (ASCAP) (istered by Universal Polygram International Publishing), Ear Kandy Music (BMI)
Contains a portion of the audio from the film "The Murder of Fred Hampton" used courtesy of Chicago Film Archives.
A3 and D4: Published by Ah Choo Music Publishing (ASCAP)/12:00 AM Music (ASCAP) (istered by Universal Polygram International Publishing), Legendelphia Music LLC/Universal Music-Careers (ASCAP), Ear Kandy Music (BMI)
B1: Published by Ah Choo Music Publishing (ASCAP)/12:00 AM Music (ASCAP) (istered by Universal Polygram International Publishing), U Betta Like My Muzic/Songs Of SMP (ASCAP), Ear Kandy Music (BMI), Onip Songs/BMG Bumblebee (BMI), Gadtoon Music (BMI)
B2: Published by Ah Choo Music Publishing (ASCAP)/12:00 AM Music (ASCAP) (istered by Universal Polygram International Publishing), Ear Kandy Music (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
Contains a sample from "We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue" written and performed by Curtis Mayfield, published by Warner-Tamerland Publishing Corp. (BMI), under license from Warner Bros. Records, Inc. by arrangement with Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group company.
C1, C3, D1 and D3: Published by Ah Choo Music Publishing (ASCAP)/12:00 AM Music (ASCAP) (istered by Universal Polygram International Publishing)
C2: Published by Ah Choo Music Publishing (ASCAP)/12:00 AM Music (ASCAP) (istered by Universal Polygram International Publishing), Ear Kandy Music (BMI), Onip Songs/BMG Bumblebee (BMI), Legendelphia Music LLC/Universal Music-Careers (ASCAP)
D2: Published by Ah Choo Music Publishing (ASCAP)/12:00 AM Music (ASCAP) (istered by Universal Polygram International Publishing), Ear Kandy Music (BMI)
Recorded at M.S.R. Studios, Hydra SF, Henson Studios, The Plant, Sear Sound, Avatar Studios and Quad Studios.
Mixed at M.S.R. Studios and Henson Studios.
"No digital "plug-ins" of any kind were used in this recording. All of the recording, processing, effects and mixing was done in the analog domain using tape and mstly vintage equipment for best results. Listen at maximum volume."
Management: Kevin Liles, KWL Enterprises, Inc. and Alan Leeds, Shelltoe Entertainment
Business Management: Joshua Klein and Keri Weaver, Monarch Business and Wealth Management, LLC
Legal Representation: Paul Rothenberg, Samantha Shipp and Lesa Kasambalides, Rothenberg P.C.
"Thanks to Peter Edge, Tom Corson, Jocelyn Cooper, Matthew Morgan, Michelle Ryang, Irene Sourlis, Carolyn Williams, Erwin Gorostiza, Theola Borden, Junko Takada, Annie Meaher, Beth Hawkins, Nat Pastor, Roe Williams, Ashish Chutei, Heathcliff Berru, Scott Mantell, Questlove, Q-Tip, Bill Reeves, Lou Barber, Roxane George, Mark Jenkins, Tina Farris, Cecilia Ramirez, The Vanguard (Past and Present), Little Homey, Dominique Trenier."
Questlove appears courtesy of Def Jam Records. Roy Hargrove appears courtesy of Groove and High Records.
Includes eight-page booklet with a code.
℗ 2014 & © 2015 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. Marketed and distributed by Sony Music Entertainment, 550 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022-3211.
A1: Published by Ah Choo Music Publishing (ASCAP)/12:00 AM Music (ASCAP) (istered by Universal Polygram International Publishing), U Betta Like My Muzic/Songs Of SMP (ASCAP), Ear Kandy Music (BMI)
A2: Published by Ah Choo Music Publishing (ASCAP)/12:00 AM Music (ASCAP) (istered by Universal Polygram International Publishing), Ear Kandy Music (BMI)
Contains a portion of the audio from the film "The Murder of Fred Hampton" used courtesy of Chicago Film Archives.
A3 and D4: Published by Ah Choo Music Publishing (ASCAP)/12:00 AM Music (ASCAP) (istered by Universal Polygram International Publishing), Legendelphia Music LLC/Universal Music-Careers (ASCAP), Ear Kandy Music (BMI)
B1: Published by Ah Choo Music Publishing (ASCAP)/12:00 AM Music (ASCAP) (istered by Universal Polygram International Publishing), U Betta Like My Muzic/Songs Of SMP (ASCAP), Ear Kandy Music (BMI), Onip Songs/BMG Bumblebee (BMI), Gadtoon Music (BMI)
B2: Published by Ah Choo Music Publishing (ASCAP)/12:00 AM Music (ASCAP) (istered by Universal Polygram International Publishing), Ear Kandy Music (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
Contains a sample from "We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue" written and performed by Curtis Mayfield, published by Warner-Tamerland Publishing Corp. (BMI), under license from Warner Bros. Records, Inc. by arrangement with Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group company.
C1, C3, D1 and D3: Published by Ah Choo Music Publishing (ASCAP)/12:00 AM Music (ASCAP) (istered by Universal Polygram International Publishing)
C2: Published by Ah Choo Music Publishing (ASCAP)/12:00 AM Music (ASCAP) (istered by Universal Polygram International Publishing), Ear Kandy Music (BMI), Onip Songs/BMG Bumblebee (BMI), Legendelphia Music LLC/Universal Music-Careers (ASCAP)
D2: Published by Ah Choo Music Publishing (ASCAP)/12:00 AM Music (ASCAP) (istered by Universal Polygram International Publishing), Ear Kandy Music (BMI)
Recorded at M.S.R. Studios, Hydra SF, Henson Studios, The Plant, Sear Sound, Avatar Studios and Quad Studios.
Mixed at M.S.R. Studios and Henson Studios.
"No digital "plug-ins" of any kind were used in this recording. All of the recording, processing, effects and mixing was done in the analog domain using tape and mstly vintage equipment for best results. Listen at maximum volume."
Management: Kevin Liles, KWL Enterprises, Inc. and Alan Leeds, Shelltoe Entertainment
Business Management: Joshua Klein and Keri Weaver, Monarch Business and Wealth Management, LLC
Legal Representation: Paul Rothenberg, Samantha Shipp and Lesa Kasambalides, Rothenberg P.C.
"Thanks to Peter Edge, Tom Corson, Jocelyn Cooper, Matthew Morgan, Michelle Ryang, Irene Sourlis, Carolyn Williams, Erwin Gorostiza, Theola Borden, Junko Takada, Annie Meaher, Beth Hawkins, Nat Pastor, Roe Williams, Ashish Chutei, Heathcliff Berru, Scott Mantell, Questlove, Q-Tip, Bill Reeves, Lou Barber, Roxane George, Mark Jenkins, Tina Farris, Cecilia Ramirez, The Vanguard (Past and Present), Little Homey, Dominique Trenier."
Questlove appears courtesy of Def Jam Records. Roy Hargrove appears courtesy of Groove and High Records.
Barcode and Other Identifiers
- Barcode (As printed): 8 8875-05655-1 8
- Barcode (Spaces removed): 888750565518
- Rights Society: ASCAP
- Rights Society: BMI
- Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, hand-etched (MASTERDISK stamped)): 88875056551 A RE1 MASTERDISK AD 23611.1(3)... Approved by The Dragon
- Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, hand-etched (MASTERDISK stamped)): 88875056551 B RE1 MASTERDISK AD 23611.2(3)...
- Matrix / Runout (Side C runout, hand-etched (MASTERDISK stamped)): 88875056551 C RE1 MASTERDISK AD 23611.3(3)...
- Matrix / Runout (Side D runout, hand-etched (MASTERDISK stamped)): 88875056551 D RE1 AD 23611.4(3)...
- Pressing Plant ID (Runouts): 23611.1(3)
Other Versions (5 of 12)
View All| Title (Format) | Label | Cat# | Country | Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Messiah (12×File, AAC, Album, 256 kbps) | RCA | none | 2014 | ||||
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Recently Edited
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Black Messiah (CD, Album) | RCA | 88875-05655-2 | US | 2014 | ||
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Recently Edited
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Black Messiah (CD, Album) | Sony Music | 88875056552 | Europe | 2014 | ||
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Recently Edited
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Black Messiah (CD, Album) | RCA | 88875056552 | Australia | 2014 | ||
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New Submission
|
Black Messiah (CD, Album) | RCA | 88875-05655-2 | Malaysia | 2014 |
Recommendations
Reviews
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Great album but sadly not an analogue pressing; digital files pressed onto vinyl (confirmed on IG live by Russell Elevado and Ben Kane, album engineers). So loses a few stars.
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Not good release, sounds flat most of the time, soul/funk and lack of dynamics don't go together -
Faultless. I'm blown away by the pressing and mastering. And almost 9 years later, I'm also still blown away by the album itself. -
I love the album from a musical standpoint and I respect it from a production standpoint. The positive is- the vinyl LP sounds A LOT better than the CD. The whole record sounds great with the exception of “1000 Deaths”, which still falls a bit flat due to the excessive saturation. Before someone roasts me, please know that I listened to this record in the mix room of my studio as well as in my friend’s mastering studio. I know that’s the sound they are going for and, as an artist who is also a producer and engineer who records analog to tape and mixes analog on a console, I can respect the amount of work and effort that went into this but I would prefer a little less of the “analog” sound for a dab bit more clarity and detail. “1000 Deaths” is the real culprit of this. I’m aware that D wanted the vocals buried but the track itself is very heavy on the analog saturation and I’m also aware that was the sound they were going for. With that said, this record is a definite improvement over the digital and CD version and the LP pressing is flat and virtually silent. No pops or clicks and pretty much no surface noise. Inner-groove distortion is pretty nonexistent. This is one of the better modern LPs I have. I say without hesitation, buy this record.
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My C/D vinyl came with its labels swapped (the side labelled C is actually D and viceversa). A superb edition aside from this.
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2022 and this is still a vital recording.This pressing is great . rich detailing, and thumping bass, overall it’s a project that reveals more and more of itself with repeated listens. I believe Black Messiah needs to be judged on its own merits as it’s different than Voodoo, which was different from Brown Sugar. This is a band record and the musicality is impressive even with its density. Memorable hooks emerge throughout from deep within the grooves and before you know they are insinuated into your consciousness. I enjoyed it from start to finish from day one and I continue to be enthralled by what’s here. This comes alive on vinyl.
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A great album, but a few tracks seem a little over-produced, like there is just a little too much going on in the background, and it takes away from the amazing vocals. Voodoo is still his best album, but it's nice just to have a new D'Angelo album after all these years. -
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What an incredible record, I'm very late to the game with this one, but holy cow, the sound, the pressing quality, and of course, the music, are all as good as it gets. Wow. Just blown away. -
Anyone having problems with the digital code? I know D'Angelo's addressed this before but looks like the link he last provided is still mes.
Release
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Recently Edited
Recently Edited
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