Taj Mahal announced Time, a new studio album arriving May 1 on his Resonatin’ Records imprint through Thirty Tigers — and the title track carries an extraordinary backstory. The song was written by the late Bill Withers but never recorded by the soul legend, making its resurrection one of the most remarkable archival discoveries in recent blues history.
How a Lost Song Found Its Way
The story behind “Time” stretches back to around 2010, when Mahal first began assembling material for the album. Record executive Steve Berkowitz, who had previously worked with Withers, brought the unreleased composition to Mahal’s attention. Furthermore, the connection between the two artists ran deeper than music — their wives had attended Claremont College together, creating a personal bridge between two men who’d only met on a couple of occasions.
After Withers passed away in 2020, Mahal made sure he had the blessing of Withers’ widow before proceeding with the recording. Consequently, the title track now serves as both a tribute and a preservation of musical history that nearly vanished. The song dropped on streaming platforms last week as a preview of the full album.
More Than 60 Albums Deep
Henry St. Claire Fredericks Jr. — the man behind the Taj Mahal moniker — has spent more than five decades reshaping what blues can be. He’s fused Delta roots with sounds from the Caribbean, Africa, India, Hawaii, and the South Pacific, earning five Grammy Awards in the process. His early career placed him alongside giants like Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, and his 2017 duet album TajMo with Keb’ Mo’ won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
Time marks more than 60 releases in Mahal’s catalog. Meanwhile, the Bill Withers connection gives the album a mainstream crossover hook that could introduce Mahal’s work to listeners well beyond the blues audience. For fans already tracking the album, the title track is streaming now — the full release arrives May 1.
