Soul legend Al Green, whose first record came out in 1967, is gunning for chart domination with Lay It Down due May 27 via Blue Note. A collaboration between the preacher man and an all-star lineup of artists from the worlds of new R&B and hip-hop, the album is described by Al Green's management as "a refreshingly old school jam, with everyone laying down the music together, face to face, heart to heart, soul to soul." Green's last studio album, Everything's O.K. was released in 2005. Lay It Down features vocal work by John Legend, Anthony Hamilton and Corinne Bailey Rae. It was co-produced by Al Green with hip-hop drummer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson of the Roots and keyboardist James Poyser. Poyser has worked with Erykah Badu and Common, among others. Brooklyn's Dap-King Horns (who also back Sharon Jones, and Amy Winehouse), guitarist Chalmers 'Spanky' Alford (Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Joss Stone) and bassist Adam Blackstone (Jill Scott, DJ Jazzy Jeff) also recorded in the Lay It Down sessions. A new album from The Roots—Rising Down—arrives prior to Green's album, on April 29 via Def Jam. Green, in a statement, explained his collaboration and concept: "[Collaborators] didn't want to get too far out from the foundation that [Hi Records producer] Willie Mitchell and I built. [songs like] 'Call Me, I'm Still In Love With You,' and 'Let's Stay Together.' They said, 'We want to play what we hear you being about in 2008. We want to keep all of the aura, but we would like to have freedom enough to spread our wings and express ourselves.' The Roots, all the guys from Philly who came up to do this stuff with us, they were incredible. I could relax because I knew the people were capable. Everyone was coming up with ideas, everybody was pitching in, everybody was helping." This record took two years to write and produce, accommodating all the star power. This week, Blue Note also released a "making of" video online that includes interviews with artists involved on Lay It Down. They also announced new tour dates for Green. Making of Lay It Down videos: Quicktime Windows Al Green Tour Dates: 04/03 - Philadelphia, MS - Silver Star Resort And Casino 04/05 - Tampa, FL - Ford Amphitheatre 04/27 - New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 05/23 - Sonoma, CA - Field of Dreams Park 05/24 - Reno, NV - Silver Legacy Hotel Casino Expo Pavillion 05/25 - Aptos, CA - Aptos Village Park 06/19 - Toronto, ON, CAN - Sony Centre For The Performing Arts 06/20 - Rochester, NY - Eastman Theatre 06/27 - New York, NY - Carnegie Hall 06/28 - Montreal, QC, CAN - Salle Wilfrid Pelletier Place Des Arts 06/29 - Leyard, CT - Foxwoods Resort Casino 07/04 - Bossier City, FL - Horseshoe Casino Riverdome 07/05 - Tunica, MS - Grand Casino And Hotel 07/11 - Sterling Heights, MI - Freedom Hill 07/12 - Chicago, IL - Charter One Pavillion 07/15 - Vienna, VA - Filene Center 07/16 - Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park Amphitheater 07/18 - Niagra Falls, NY - Seneca Niagara Casino 08/31 - Denver, CO - Denver Botanic Gardens 09/01 - Beaver Creek, CO - Vilar Center For The Arts 09/03 - Salt Lake City, UT - Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre At University of UT 09/05 - Tacoma, WA - Emerald Queen Casino 09/06 - Coquitlam, BC, CAN - Red Robinson Theatre 09/07 - Richmond, BC, CAN - River Rock Casino Resort 09/13 - Primm, NV - Star Of The Desert Arena 09/17 - Fresno, CA - Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino 09/19 - Concord, CA - Sleep Train Pavillion 09/20 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre 09/21 - Valley Center, CA - Harrah's Rincon Open Sky Theater Lay It Down Tracklisting: 01. Lay It Down [ft. Anthony Hamilton] 02. Just for Me 03. You've Got the Love I Need [ft. Anthony Hamilton] 04. No One Like You 05. What More Do You Want From Me 06. Take Your Time [ft. Corinne Bailey Rae] 07. Too Much 08. Stay With Me (By the Sea) [ft. John Legend] 09. All I Need 10. I'm Wild About You 11. Standing in the Rain
