Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Meshell Ndegeocello's album, No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin, is a powerful tribute to the renowned writer and activist, released on his centennial. This visionary work is a blend of musical genres, serving as both a musical experience and a platform for social change. Co-produced by Meshell and guitarist Chris Bruce, the album features collaborations with talented artists like Justin Hicks, Kenita Miller, and Abe Rounds. Additionally, spoken word performances by Staceyann Chin and Hilton Als add depth and meaning to the album. No More Water is a compelling and transformative listening experience that honors Baldwin's legacy and inspires reflection and action. A project that was nearly ten years in the making, all the ingredients are here to make this landmark release that is sure to go down in music history.

Review: Meshell Ndegeocello's second Blue Note album, No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin, pays tribute to the esteemed writer and activist James Baldwin. This transformative, genre-blending work serves as a musical experience, church service, celebration, testimonial, and call to action. Set for release on Baldwin's Centennial, August 2, 2024, the album is co-produced by Ndegeocello and guitarist Chris Bruce. It features frequent collaborators Justin Hicks, Kenita Miller, Abe Rounds, Jake Sherman, Jebin Bruni, and Julius Rodriguez, along with powerful spoken word performances by Jamaican poet and activist Staceyann Chin.

Review: Meshell Ndegeocello's upcoming album, No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin, is a profound tribute to the iconic author on the 100th anniversary of his birth. Following her Grammy-winning debut on Blue Note Records, Ndegeocello co-produced this album with guitarist Chris Bruce, enlisting a talented ensemble including vocalist Justin Hicks, saxophonist Josh Johnson and others. The album's first singles, 'Travel' and 'Raise the Roof,"' offer a glimpse into its powerful blend of music and spoken word. With contributions from poet Staceyann Chin and others, Ndegeocello's work transcends mere tribute, offering a transformative experience that is part music, part sermon, part celebration, and part call to action. No More Wate promises to be a genre-defying, spiritually enriching journey that honors Baldwin's legacy while adding a unique musical perspective. This album is poised to be a standout in Ndegeocello's already illustrious career.

Review: "It's a little bit of all of me, my travels, my life," says Meshell Ndgeocello, speaking of her latest album The Omnichord Real Book. Referring to the 'first real book' she ever read - the experience of life after her father's passing - the album is a testament to free-flowing, lived sensoriality in time. An antistatic rip-roar through memory and decay in blue, this is a stunning two-sided jazz-esque album packed with features and far-flung stylisms. In the artist's words, the LP slippily rails against the confines of the word 'jazz' itself. And if you can pull that off, well...