Yeah, this really clicked this time…. ended up giving it two more listens today on top of last night’s. I don’t think I know it well enough to readily know the differences in your preferred version
@TenderLovingKiller® , it did feel more like a brother of Wildflower (more hip hop edge). while the current version on Qobuz, at least, feels like it is more closely aligned to dance music. I couldn’t really give you specifics beyond a feeling. A lot of the second disc of stuff on the deluxe version vibes more with that later sound too.
It has a familiarity to it that feels lived in. I don’t know about the rest of you, but this is how I feel about Stevie’s 70’s run - it’s like it’s always been a part of me. I like when modern music gives me that same feeling like DangerDoom’s “Old School” or DJ Honda’s “Trouble in the Water” (Hell the first two De La albums live in that feeling). Yeah, it’s nostalgic but not really derivative (beyond the inherent derivative nature of turntable music). It’s like a more optimistic version of DJ Shadow’s vision.
I still think I like Wildflower better, but a half dozen listens to this and I understand its charms.
Also, no TLK, neither the book or Allmusic talk about the concept that at least inspired, if not ultimately fulfilled by, the album.
I guess at some point, I need to give the new album a listen.
