In 1995, D’Angelo’s star was on the rise around the world, with the exciting young R&B singer-songwriter hailed as the new sound of soul, a genius artist in the tradition of Stevie Wonder, Prince and Curtis Mayfield. His Virgin Records debut, Brown Sugar, with its hit title song and smash cover of Smokey Robinson’s “Cruisin’,” proved the hype was to be believed. It’s generally thought that D’Angelo followed his debut with Voodoo, released in 2000.
In 1996, however, fans in Japan were treated to a six-track EP release, “Live At The Jazz Café, London.” Recorded live on September 14, 1995, the Japan-only EP became a sought-after collector’s item. On March 25, Virgin/UMe will release Live At The Jazz Café, London: The Complete Show, featuring the full performance, on CD and digital formats. The new release returns to print the EP’s six cuts — issuing them in the U.S. for the first time, as well — and adds five more previously unreleased performances.
Live At The Jazz Café, London: The Complete Show presents D’Angelo’s full concert for the first time anywhere, with all of the tracks in the correct sequence for the first time, too, just as they were performed in a sweaty London club when “D” was on the cusp of stardom. The five unreleased performances include “Jonz In My Bones,” an extended version of “Lady,” including a reprise of the song left off the original EP, and covers of three songs originally by D’Angelo influences Mandrill, Ohio Players, and Al Green. Featured on background vocals is Angie Stone, a.k.a.
Angie B., one of the seminal female rappers through her hit group The Sequence who would become a solo star in her own right. Live At The Jazz Café, London: The Complete Show is presented with an updated version of the original Japanese EP cover art; inside is an exclusive new essay by Alan Leeds of D’Angelo’s management team, who is known for his tenure with artists ranging from James Brown to Chris Rock, and an English translation of the original Japanese liner notes, including a brief 1995 interview with D’Angelo.1. Introduction2.
Fencewalk (Mandrill cover)3. Sweet Sticky Thing (Ohio Players cover)4. Jonz in My Bones5.
Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine6. Sh*t, Damn, Motherf*cker7. Cruisin’ (Smokey Robinson cover)8.
I’m Glad You’re Mine (Al Green cover)9. Lady10. AnnouncementEncore:11.
Live Nation Antitrust Loss Reshapes Live Sector as Warner Eyes Latin and Veterans Launch 26.2
Can’t Hide Love12. Brown Sugar* Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 (long version), 10: Previously Unreleased