Meshell Ndegeocello with New Album in October
Ever since the move to Blue Note Records in 2023, Meshell Ndegeocello (the group, not the person) are putting out one great album after the other. “The Omnichord Real Book” (2023) and “No More Water: the Gospel of James Baldwin” are both contemporary classics in neo-soul, avantgarde jazz, funk and fusion. Now the group returns with another highly ambitious work: on “Synonym”, out on October 2nd, Meshell explores classic songs with an astounding line-up of special guests, like Chaka Khan, Brandi Carlile, Bill Callahan, Chris Thile, Lizz Wright, Emily King, Moses Sumney, Lianne La Havas, Laura Lee, Robert Glasper, and Madison Cunningham, among others.
The first single is a cover of the Aretha Franklin/George Michael duet “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) with Cynthia Erivo. “This project is about classic songs that are known and loved”, says Meshell. “These songs have diverse tones, representing various genres and intentional grooves. But the album is also about joy, love, selfhood, individual respresentation, and universal experience.” Other songs on the album are “Don’t Look Any Further” with Lianne La Havas, “Be Real Black For Me” with Lizz Wright and Emily King, “Guilty” with Ink, “Islands In The Stream” with Chaka Khan, “Don’t You Want Me” with Cat Power, “The Closer I Get To You” with Destin Conrad and Moses Sumney, and “Don’t Stop The Music” with Robert Glasper and Nick Hakim. The album was produced with Dave Gamson and Abe Rounds and will be available on double vinyl too. Expect a full review closer to release date.
