Grammy Award-winning vocalist Ledisi has officially released For Dinah (Deluxe Edition) via Candid Records. Produced alongside longtime collaborator Rex Rideout and acclaimed bassist Christian McBride, the expanded project serves as a deepened salute to Ledisi’s personal hero, the legendary “Queen of Blues,” Dinah Washington.
Bridging Washington’s brazen spirit with Ledisi’s signature soulfulness, the tribute album actively works to reaffirm Washington’s vital legacy and celebrate her status as one of music’s greatest trailblazers.
The newly released deluxe edition enriches the original acclaimed project with four additional tracks. The expansion is anchored by the focus track, a traditional jazz standard rendition of “Ill Wind (You’re Blowing Me No Good),” alongside a brand-new recording of the classic blues song “Nobody Knows the Way I Feel This Morning.”
Rounding out the new additions are the recently released single “Teach Me Tonight” and a special Village Studios session recording of Washington’s iconic hit “What a Difference a Day Made.”
More than a musical salute, the project operates as a thank-you letter from one powerful Black woman to another. Ledisi, who formally studied jazz before cementing her status as a premier contemporary R&B vocalist, credits Washington with clearing the path she has navigated throughout her career.
“She gave me permission to move freely, create freely, be a woman in leadership, wear and say what I want,” Ledisi explained. “Before there was Aretha, there was Dinah. She deserves to be recognized in today’s music as well. So instead of asking me ‘Why Dinah?,’ you should be asking ‘Why not Dinah?’”
Reflecting on Washington’s legacy of rebellion against industry constraints and her bold physical presence, Ledisi noted that the repertoire provides a space to celebrate her own femininity without reservation. “It’s my fur; it’s my curves and the tightness of my dress. And it’s in the attitude of how I move with the music.”
For Dinah (Deluxe Edition) boasts elite musicianship and top-tier guest appearances. The project features “You’ve Got What It Takes,” a moving duet with Grammy Award-winning vocalist Gregory Porter, alongside contributions from world-class musicians including guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. and Michael King.
The album shines in its detailed arrangements. On a soul-stirring interpretation of the Clyde Otis-penned “This Bitter Earth,” Ledisi and McBride capture the ache of loneliness with a distinct neo-soul hue. McBride’s orchestration on “Caravan” channels Quincy Jones’ original arrangement for Washington, while Ledisi carves her own path on the Washington original “If I Never Get to Heaven” by dropping in Ella Fitzgerald-inspired scatting.
For Dinah (Deluxe Edition) is available to stream and download now across all major digital platforms. The official visualizer for “Ill Wind (You’re Blowing Me No Good)” can be viewed on YouTube.
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