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Bisexual songstress Me’shell Ndegéocello says her lovers greatly influence her work, though she refused to answer many questions about her personal life in a recent interview. (Photo by Mark Seligar)
 
 
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Taking comfort in diversity
Bisexual singer Me’shell Ndegéocello stops in Atlanta to promote new CD and discuss becoming a star.

HOME > SOVO SCENE > MUSIC

Oct 24, 2003  |  By: Arjan Timmermans  | COMMENTS |   |  

ME’SHELL NDEGÉOCELLO HAS been making music for more than 15 years, though it has not always been successful on the pop charts. But this singer and accomplished bassist, who grew up in D.C., continues to receive critical acclaim for her innovative, genre-busting music.

Artists inspired by her work, which paved the way for the neo-soul movement, include D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Maxwell and, more recently, Jill Scott, Bilal and India Arie.

On her newest album, “Comfort Woman,” Ndegéocello shows off her sensual side with lyrics about love, sex and religion. Her songs feature her signature socially conscious songwriting, which seem to imply that beyond the joy of making love, all revolution starts in the bedroom.

Born in the late ’60s in Germany, Ndegéocello grew up in Washington and started playing the D.C. club scene in the late ’80s with Little Bennie and the Masters and Rare Essence. In 1990, she was awarded three “Wammies” (Washington Area Music Awards).

Prince mentored Ndegéocello earlier in her career, and she signed with Madonna’s Maverick label, which gave her plenty of artistic and creative freedom.

In 1993, Ndegéocello released her debut album, “Plantation Lullaby,” which critics embraced. It received four Grammy nominations. Subsequent albums included “Peace Beyond Passion,” “Bitter” and “Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape.”

In a telephone interview from her home in Brooklyn, Ndegéocello recently told the Blade that she is very satisfied with “Comfort Woman.”
“I am excited about this album,” she says. “But I have to admit that I have already moved on to the next idea.”

THE NEW ALBUM is a radical departure from her previous hip-hop infused “Cookie,” which was an uncompromising look at love, sex, race and politics. “Comfort Woman” shows off a gentler Ndegéocello, with lyrics mostly inspired by love, and musical arrangements reminiscent of ’60s psychedelic jazz, reggae and soul.

“I guess I was inspired by love for life and love for a person when I wrote this album,” the soft-spoken Ndegéocello says.

Though love may have been the inspiration, she refuses to answer questions about her personal life and love interests. Once described as bisexual, she says there is no word to describe her sexual orientation today.

“I am a polyamorous, water-based carbon life form,” Ndegéocello says. “I find myself being able to enjoy sex with both sexes.”

The singer has mixed feelings about returning to Washington to play at the 9:30 club on Oct. 26. She is opening for Soulive and the 7:30 p.m. show is sold out.

“I have a love-hate relationship with my hometown,” she says. “It is not my favorite place to go. It is the place of government — that makes it difficult for me.”

Politics do not interest Ndegéocello anymore. But music still does.

Recently, she collaborated on the debut album of New York-based Cuban hip-hop band Yerba Buena, and contributes a song on an upcoming Dolly Parton tribute CD.

“I like Dolly Parton a lot,” she says. “I think she is an amazing lyricist and songwriter. She asked me personally, and I was more than happy to participate.”

In January, Ndegéocello will be releasing “Papillon,” a jazz record with singers Lalah Hathaway and Cassandra Wilson. “I hate to put the label ‘jazz’ on it,” she says. “It is mostly an instrumental, meditative record with a few guest vocalists.”

She enjoys many different types of music and still tries to avoid being identified with one particular sound.

“No matter what musical type, it has the same DNA,” she says. “It is all 12 notes on a scale. I just change the combinations a bit now and then.”


MORE INFO
Me’shell Ndegéocello
Oct. 30, 8 p.m.
Variety Playhouse
1099 Euclid Ave.
404-524-7354

‘Comfort Woman’
Me’shell Ndegeocello
Maverick Records, 2003
www.meshell.com





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