BJ THE CHICAGO KID

In My Mind BJ The Chicago Kid’s EP of D’Angelo covers last month wasn’t a dramatic reimagining of the material; there was no attempt to update the performances to meet 2016 expectations. Save for a few added lyrics, BJ just stayed true to the sound of Voodoo. As it turns out, it was an omen for what was to follow. That gall, to go note-for-note with one of the most respected soul musicians of our era? The Chicago Kid was confident, and In My Mind is the justification. There are 15 years between Bryan James Sledge’s first writing placement (Dave Hollister’s “For You”) and this major label debut. He became the go-to guy for injecting a little soul into rap records, worked with everyone from Dre to Kanye to Kendrick, and released the independent album Pineapple Now-Laters. In My Mind is unmistakably a soul album that marries church teachings and mainstream appeal. That pious influence is most evident on the dynamically unrestrained “Jeremiah” and single “Church,” featuring Buddy and Chance the Rapper. Of course, conflict being the root to the human condition, much of the album strays from Sunday morning sensibilities: “Wait Til The Morning” is a desperate plea to his wife’s best friend to not reveal his indiscretions; “The Resume” is a harmonic masterpiece of stacked vocals, synths and rotating organs. Raphael Saadiq’s fans may be surprised to see “Oh Girl” reappear as “The New Cupid,” featuring Kendrick Lamar de- tailing his parking lot pimping/street harassment routine. With redemption in mind, BJ follows with “Woman’s World,” a piano- and strings-backed examination of global affairs. It’s over that combination of instrumentation that the Chicago Kid’s soul is best bared, as evidenced on the tracks “Falling on My Face” and “Shine,” a wedding playlist-ready ode to partnership. Despite the moniker, BJ joined the musical migration to Los Angeles a few years back, but “Home” is an understated acknowledgment of his namesake. Chicago is producing some of the most engrossing artists in rap and R&B, all of whom seem to exhibit strong, complicated relationships with a city in crisis. In My Mind is one of the most earnest soul albums in years. (Motown/Universal) MICHAEL J. WARREN