D'Angelo's Album is very nearly done, seriously

After some whispers and a return to the stage in the past two years, it seems like D’Angelo’s third album is finally on its way. In an interview with Billboard, the Roots drummer and frequent D’Angelo collaborator Questlove reveals the extra hours he’s been spending perfecting his drum tracks in the studio:

“I’m heading out to Asia right now praying that we’re still on schedule for when we said we were going to turn that record in Questlove […] All last week, I was in the studio finishing (the album). We spent close to 18 hours, well not me personally because I have to go to ‘Fallon,’ but usually right after work. He’s the only person that I’ll actually go to the studio with and stay there to six in the morning, re-doing these drum parts. I won’t even do that for my own band, but I’ll do it for him. Right now, we’re just tightening up the loose ends. But I still stand by, 99% of it is done.”

To be honest, Questlove has given teasing updates on the record before, but amongst the glib (“I would not be far off by saying this is probably my generation’s version of Sly [and the Family Stone’s] ‘There’s a Riot Goin’ On.’”) he does say that something is “extremely wrong” if it isn’t submitted to the label for review in the next month, setting up a potential release later this year.

Watch D’Angelo make a surprise appearance int he Questlove Superjam at Bonnaroo 2012 below.