Bilal is getting ready to celebrate Black History Month with a little help from his friends. On June 14, in the middle of Black Music Month, the Grammy winner will release Live at Glasshaus, a mid-career retrospective that finds him backed by a supergroup featuring Questlove, Common, Robert Glasper and Burniss Travis.
The set was recorded, filmed and livestreamed in front of 100 fans at Glasshaus in Brooklyn, N.Y. During the performance, Bilal delivered a set spanning his 23-year recording career with stripped-down arrangements giving a new spin to the material.
"Something to Hold," the album's first single and video, was originally recorded during Bilal's Soulquarian period, but on the forthcoming live set it's given an update with a back-to-basics live version showcasing Bilal's progression as an artist.
"I felt comfortable to create because I knew I had some of the best mother---ers in the world playing," Bilal explained in a statement. "I like intimate vibes where everyone's drawing off the energy in the room. When you're up there making something and giving, with the people up there listening and receiving, it creates this circular motion of energy, it's a timeless moment."
"The evening felt historic," added Jarrett Wetherell, founder of Glasshaus Presents and producer of the album. "The audience was floored. So many masters creating in an intimate space together makes for a special production. We're honored to serve Bilal, an artist in the truest sense."
While the album includes live takes of such hits as "Soul Sista" and "Sometimes," hardcore fans will be thrilled to learn that the album also includes two tracks from Love for Sale - Bilal's early 2000s album that was shelved but went on to achieve legendary status among his ardent followers. Now, "Something to Hold" and "All for Love" will finally receive their official release.
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