Damon Albarn and XL boss Richard Russell are working on a new album with soul icon Bobby Womack.
Bobby Womack is too good a talent to just allow to be sent to pasture. The soul icon remains a powerful vocalist, and recently guested on the Gorillaz track ‘Stylo’.
Later touring with the band, it seems that Damon Albarn and Bobby Womack have struck up a musical partnership. The Blur songwriter is helming a new album from the legendary soul singer, with XL Recordings boss Richard Russell also on hand.
Speaking to Billboard, Richard Russell explained that the project had already resulted in around 15 or 16 tracks. “Because Bobby guested on the Gorillaz record and him and Damon toured a lot together they had the idea of doing something new. Me and Damon worked together on the DRC Music album, so it kind of naturally came together to do something with Bobby…”
“I think it sounds like a very modern soul record, really. His voice is amazing and I think if people have been listening to things like Frank Ocean and the Weeknd (then they’ll like it). I think those artists are very influenced by Bobby and you can join a lot of the dots.”
Damon Albarn and Bobby Womack have collaborated on the songwriting process, which Russell claims it to a “very high” standard. “I think the quality of the song writing – because he’s co-written with Damon a lot of it and Damon is such an amazing writer – the quality of it really feels sky high. I think for a record that someone is making later on in their career people should be in for a really nice surprise when they hear it.”
Finishing, Richard Russell said: “He’s an incredible voice, so I’m really looking forward to creating a platform for people to hear him. As a co-production thing with me and Damon it’s been great and it’s been an amazing experience. Hopefully people will dig the music.”
Amongst the guest vocalists lined up to appear on the project is Lana Del Rey. Speaking to Now Toronto the singer said: “They wanted me to freestyle a couple of choruses. It doesn’t mean that they’re gonna use it. You never know, really, but the boys were nice.”
Bobby Womack’s new album is set to come out on XL next year.
