Africa
D'Angelo, 2000. Solo by Spanky Alford.
Alford's backward-sounding guitar solos add a dreamlike haze to the closing song of Voodoo.
Africa closes D'Angelo's Voodoo, and Spanky Alford's backward-sounding guitar solos add a dreamlike haze to the song's gentle groove. His lines swell in and out, with reversed attacks that make each note seem to breathe in rather than out, giving the track an otherworldly feel. The guitar blends seamlessly with the soft keyboards and D'Angelo's hushed vocal, creating a sense of calm reflection. It is a subtle but striking example of how texture can shape mood. Listen for how the guitar notes seem to rise from silence, and how their unusual attack gives the solo a floating, almost ghostly quality.
Africa by D'Angelo is featured in our Neo-Soul (#15) list. The solo is played by Spanky Alford and the song was released in 2000.
In our lists
Sources
Who played the guitar solo on Africa?
Spanky Alford played the solo on D'Angelo's Africa (2000).