Lay It Down by Al Green

Music Review

Lay it Down plays like a slow drive around the park on a summer night. Al Green has one arm perched outside of the window and the opposite hand resting loosely on the wheel. Leaning comfortably, flashing his infectious smile and coasting with both eyes closed, he has presented the world with a living testament to the glorious results of intuitive music making. His explosive proclamation “You’ve Got the Love I Need” perfectly articulates what he wants in return for his services while simultaneously reminding us why our own special lady or gent is the one and only “stardust in the sky.” Anthony Hamilton’s vocal contributions prove yet again that he is the genuine article. By interweaving their sounds seamlessly, passionately and beautifully Hamilton and Green establish one of the more memorable exaltations of love. Alone they are butter but together they are the ocean. The other vocal collaborations on Lay it Down don’t quite reflect that level of connectivity but they still find a way to add to the record’s abundance of good vibrations. The tenderness of Corrine Bailey Rae and the midnight mellow melodies crafted by John Legend, though parallel to Green’s own vocal style, are worked out through the track’s masterful composition and instrumental voicing of the Dap-Kings’ horns. Like the first 10 seconds of the track “What More Do You Want From Me?” the record establishes a groove early on that will leave all of us wanting more, especially if it involves the craftsmanship of producers Mr. James Poyser and Mr. ?uestlove Thompson. It is a signature of ?uestlove’s style when he keeps the drums right in the pocket like a classic break record. And that is just where the record sits, right in the pocket, the perfect groove. It is intoxicating, honest and just feels real good.