Erykah Badu has been laying low on new music but she has made a brief return in duet form. In collaboration with Record Store Day 2019 in April, the Queen of Neo-Soul blended her textured vocals with James Poyser for a rendition of “Tempted” by Squeeze.
With limited copies of the cover sold worldwide, the audio has been uploaded online for streaming purposes.
Reimagining a well-known track as only she can, Badu dives deep into her bag of vocal tricks and makes Squeeze’s signature single her own with production support from musicians Thundercat, Derrick Hodge, Ali Jackson, and producer Steve Mandel, who specializes in Squeeze recordings.
Featured on the The Roots and Mandel’s third installment of the Swindles project, the new version of “Tempted,” comes with a B-side that features the updated instrumental.
On June 15, Badu is heading to Queen Mary Events Park in Long Beach, California to co-headline the 2019 Smokin’ Grooves Festival. Usher is also named as a headliner.
Listen to Badu and Poyser’s version of “Tempted” below.
