PRODUCTION

Music

Al Green

Lay It Down

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Patrick Donnelly

The Reverend Al Green has provided the soundtrack to some of the sexiest moments in the lives of most people of a certain age, and he shows no signs of slowing down with his latest effort. But instead of just relying on his signature passionate voice, he’s enlisted some of the hottest names in the world of soul music to help share the love and spread the joy.

The 62-year-old Green is joined by Corinne Bailey Rae on the silky duet “Take Your Time” and welcomes John Legend aboard on “Stay With Me (By the Sea).” The horns are provided by the inimitable Dap-Kings, ?uestlove of The Roots is a co-producer and plays drums on the record, and neo-soul star Anthony Hamilton chips in vocals on four tracks.

The result feels like a refreshed vision of the smoothest soul of the Memphis scene circa 1975. Standout tracks include the two duets, as well as “What More Do You Want From Me”—desperation dripping from every syllable—and “Standing in the Rain,” which picks up the tempo and turns up the horns just as the album winds to a close, inviting you to start all over again and get back to the babymaking.

The bottom line: ***

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