Anita Baker works through the drama

By Brian McCollum

Detroit Free Press

DETROIT

Anita Baker, 52, is in the final stage of work on the tentatively titled “21st Century Love,” set for release Jan. 18 and featuring guests such as rapper Snoop Dogg.

She talked about it and more in an interview with the Detroit Free Press.

Q. Give us the basic story line on the new album.

A. I’ve been on road for 20 years, and what happens is, these young artists just show up at my concerts: Monica wants to know what kind of mic I’m using, Mary (J. Blige) wants to know the writing process, Snoop wants a picture. So over the years, I’ve become friends with a lot of artists, and it’s showing up on this record. ... We’re trying to bridge this (generational) chasm. With artists like Snoop — I know him as father and husband. When I wanted to do the love theme from “Superfly,” which is a beautiful ballad, he was the first person I thought of to do the dialogue at the end.

These young artists are looking for ways to grow up, and this shows they are growing up, that they’re comfortable with more mature subject matter. And I take a great deal of energy from these people. They’re kind of pulling me into the 21st century. So it’s just this lovely little melting pot of maturity and youthful energy.

Q. You took your long break to focus on family, re-emerged and went through another round of personal drama. (Baker divorced husband Walter Bridgforth Jr. in 2008.)

A. The personal stuff never stops, man. For example, I was starting to record, I thought I was moving on, and soon as you think you’re going forward, something grabs you by scruff of neck and yanks you backward. But I’m always trying to step forward. But I’m a person, and how does that (John Lennon) saying go — “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans”? I’ve got two teenage boys. My eldest is interviewing for colleges, my youngest is in the studio with me, and if I’m doing my job correctly, it’s really about them.

Q. “Stuff that grabs you by the neck” — are you including your court case from earlier this year? (Baker was nearly jailed in a dispute over royalties in her divorce settlement.)

A. That was so insignificant in the course of things that grab me. I’m talking about life and death. I’m talking about my neighbor, who I hadn’t seen in years, and finding out she’s dying of cancer. Courts and lawyers and the music business — that’s just another day. I’m talking about the Pistons being sold — I’m talking about real stuff. (Laughs.) I’m talking about the fact that I’m 52. Right? I’m 52! This is the stuff that yanks you. I just heard that another friend of mine just passed. I’ve been in and out of court my whole life. Entertainers have to deal with lawyers. That’s just par for the course.

Q. You’ve got a band that lets you always improvise onstage.

A. We’re going to do what we always do — start the show, let the audience tell us what we should play, and play it. It’s Michigan, it’s Detroit. I grew up watching the Motown revue come through — you hear “What key?” on Stevie Wonder’s “Fingertips.” It’s my joy doing it on the fly. It’s challenging and stimulating. When they throw a curve, you feel good if you can catch it and toss it back.