Another major voice in the development of neo-soul, D’Angelo’s second studio album is undeniably impressive. It was recorded at the same studio as Erykah Badu’s Mama’s Gun, and a lot of the guest appearances on both albums came about because of this cross-pollination. The sounds are different beasts entirely, though - and I’ll admit D’Angelo’s music struck me more like late-career Michael Jackson, with most of the title artist’s contributions coming in the form of little interjections and counter-lines and falsettos. At some points you just want him to cut out that nonsense and just freaking sing. I know the restrained style is an art in itself, it just feels like D’Angelo’s singing is so far back in the mix it could be almost anyone. But in the end the alternating hip-hoppish and R&B beats are great, and of course I’m a sucker for a 3/4 or 6/8 time song, a staple of the R&B genre found on “Send It On” and “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”, two of the album’s highlights.

From the roundup Some Excellent Albums from 2000.