[2] Her first independent album since Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue (2002) and the first project release on Listen Back Entertainment, Ledisi wrote and produced the album with Kal Banx, Ivan Barias, Phil Beaudreau, Jeff Gitelman, Robert Glasper, Cory Henry, Rex Rideout, SiR and various other collaborators.

I wanted some gutbucket music that reminds me of being in a juke joint where you have the pool table and lawn chairs with some brown liquor.In January 2019, Ledisi departed from Verve Records and founded her own label Listen Back Entertainment.

[3] Due to social distancing, Ledisi created her own home studio where she recorded and engineered the remaining songs.

[7] The album was released on August 28, 2020, which coincided with the date of King's "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963 as well as the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 receiving royal assent in the United Kingdom.

[8] On the day of the album's release, Ledisi held a livestream listening party via YouTube and Facebook, hosted by American radio personality Cayman Kelly.

[5] Andy Kellman, writing for AllMusic, wrote that Ledisi "and her supporting musicians still incorporate shades of bygone eras with natural grace.

Even the overtly retro moments retain a freshness, and whenever a song bears some obvious likeness, Ledisi's entrancing and singular voice – bolstered by some subtly dazzling harmonies and arrangements – is at the fore to distinguish it.