Voodoo, D’angelo’s sophomore effort, crackles with the laid-back intensity of an informal, late-night jam session. We the fortunate audience, find ourselves privy to the soulful stylings of the neosoul man of the new millennium. With a smoldering sensuality bubbling to the surface beneath some laid-back hip-hop influenced grooves, D’Angelo and his ace backup band take their time getting there, but get there they do. Using a falsetto that would make The Artist proud (in fact, one of the songs on the cd, Untitled - How Does It Feel”, is a tribute to the man formerly known as Prince), D’Angelo (nee Michael D’Angelo) hypnotizes and, ultimately, seduces us with his yearnings of love and near kisses. A remake of Roberta Flack’s “Feel Like Makin’ Love” has the relaxed sensuality of the original, while showing its debt to the hip-hop influenced r&b of today. “Wonder How You’ve Been” is a woefully too short ode to loves lost to the past. “Send It On” is another instant classic to add to the ever-growing D’Angelo showcase of post-Marvin Gaye lust/love songs. The ballads work best, evoking oohs and ahs from D’Angelo’s silky voice, a cross between Curtis Mayfield and The Artist.

        D’Angelo, along with Maxwell and Eric Benet, are the torch bearers of soul music. Their forte is the love ballad, a tradition that, in their capable hands, will continue to flourish and grow, respectful to the past while embracing the future. Welcome back, D’Angelo. It was well worth the wait.