abierman said:

Yep, he was spinning some cool stuff both before and during the show, including some Prince.

Stax said:

we got madge's Justify My Love as the walkout music for Meshell...I thought, how appropriate since her label screwed her over...

it is a marvelous record isn't it?

my favorites initially were "Aquarium", "Pappilon", "Dance Of The Infidel"...but it changes... seriously its hard to pick because every track has something wonderful about it...

the whole album is just beautiful really.

And yeah...as beautiful as the record is, when you hear them LIVE...whew!...look OUT. They take it to ANOTHER level. A lot more percussive and bottom heavy and rythmic in the live shows...very unique sound and unpredictable flow (just how i love it)...there is a dash of somewhat Fela Kuti-esque & Miles-esqe flavor in there...but its really something unique.

Yeah she's a very special, rare, and grossly under-appreciated artist...but the reviews on this latest Jazz record are great (but then again pretty much ALL of her records got high critical acclaim...its just the general public who have no idea who she is because she gets no airplay or significant promotion)...at any rate its very nice to she her getting some well deserved admiration isn't it?

rarely have i went to a concert prior to listening to the album and still be blown away...this is one of those exceptions...

GREAT FREAKIN ALBUM!!

first listen here....more detailed review after a couple more listens...

Review from Billboard:
ARTIST: MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO
ALBUM: THE SPIRIT OF MUSIC JAMIA: DANCE OF THE INFIDEL (SHANACHIE)

This is one of the most ambitious and extraordinary projects we're likely to
hear in 2005. Ndegeocello had a hand in composing all but one of the tunes,
and she invited an exciting group of musicians to help her realize her
compositions, including Don Byron, Mino Cinelu, Cassandra Wilson, Jack
DeJohnette and Lalah Hathaway. The primary vibe is that of soulful jazz that
touches base with the blues ("Heaven") and frequently spins off compelling
free-form solos. Most tracks offer a deft balance between melodicism and
abstraction. But every song plays by its own rules and holds a full measure
of intrigue. A wonderful listening experience.

This CD is amazing. I've been listening to this one and "NEWS" back to back.

SPYZFAN1 said:

It's better than 'NEWS', she has a better band than P.....don't believe it? Go see her live!

abierman said:

-----
It might be better than NEWS but I doubt she has a better band and I doubt she puts on a better show. Those ONA shows were pretty damm good.

laurarichardson said:

You haven't been to a Me'shell show then because she puts on excellent shows. I'd match her ass up against Prince on the bass any day any time. The girl knows her craft

laurarichardson said:

Hehehe, I co-sign Supa's statement. And Abierman's, as I went to the concert with him and I was the one that initially made the statement about Prince just wishes his band could play jazz that way; respectful of it's elders, yet taking it a step further, like Miles Davis used to do.

Her performance in Amsterdam's Paradiso reminded me of Miles Davis's band during Jack Johnson. Just breathtakingly amazing.

i'm a lifelong Prince fan, seen most of his tours in person since 1999 (couldn't go to the Controversy Tour because my ride fell through)

I'm also a lifelong meshell fan...seen her about 10-12 times since her debut cd in 1993.

I have never ever been more musically satisfied than I have been at some of the Meshell shows i've attended. Musically they can simply take you away completely. At her gigs i suggest you close your eyes for the experience...you'll REALLY get to notice the intricacies and powerful things happening sonically on stage. Just amazing stuff. I'm a fan of them both and yes theres room for them both...but Yes, if i have to choose one in my opinion Meshell and her crews over the years win that battle. Less scripted, less contrived, less 'show' more 'creation'...more spontaneous, more expressive, more unpredictable.

Not that Prince couldn't do these things, its just that more often than not he doesn't. He does sometimes, in fact in some of his famous aftershows he used to. And thats actually a good analogy...all of Meshell's 'regular' shows that i've seen and heard are similar what some of Prince's 'aftershows' used to be sometimes. Loose, and unpredictable combined with some amazing musicianship and pure honest expressive performances.

Meshell is essentially an unknown legend...the fact that she's still under the radar of most of the masses amazes me (and frustrates me a bit too). But as long as she keeps doing her thing in her own creative way then I'm happy. Amazing stuff...

"MESHELL: recent interview excerpt ..."

This latest album is kind of a departure for you, being a mostly instrumental jazz album. Are you worried about alienating fans?

There are some people who will like it, and some people who won't. That's just the way of the world. Hopefully, for every person who's alienated, I'll bring in ten new people. You have to keep art honest. I'm not going to be singing, but I'm going to open up your mind. I'm just trying to keep it as positive as possible. A lot of music is just about shaking your ass. I'm sure I'm going to be the only instrumental act at the Essence Fest. I just want people to come with a positive attitude, 'cause I'm trying to tap into the past and the future and what I got to say, there ain't no words for. It's just good hang out, smoke it up music.

You collaborated with many different artists on this record. How did that come about?

They're just my friends. I'm impressed that people are impressed with the names, but these are just people that I know and I've worked with. I'm grateful that they gave their time and energy and it's there for other people to enjoy. I'm glad people get to hear Cassandra Wilson, Lelah Hathaway, Sabina {of the Brazilian Girls} and Matthew Garrison-these are just people that I'm huge fans of and want all the light to shine on them.

Was it an easy transition to make, from being a solo act to performing and working with such a large ensemble? Did these people have a lot of freedom?

Oh yeah, yeah. Jazz musicians have more faith than any other musician, because they trust in creativity. In order to get the best out of people like that who are immensely creative, you let them be themselves. You don't force them to be anything they are not. I just give them a harmonic structure and some melody, but pretty much what they do is what they do. I think that's how to get the best out of people: create an environment where they can be themselves.


And picking the right collaborators...

You got to trust them to jump off that cliff-and then soar. I'm in a different place. Less than, better than, the judgement thing-it has never existed in my music. You just find out what works and do the best you can. That's pretty much how my mind functions. I'm also a strategist, I get people that I trust to be there if I fall. I co-produced the record with Bob Powers, who's a great, phenomenal producer. And when you have someone like that around, someone to tell you to take your coffee breaks when they know your'e losing your perspective, it's great. It's a really safe, loving and creative environment.

What is the song writing process like for you, in general, and then specifically with your new album?

I just wait for the transmission. That's it. Wooo! Yeah, yeah. I know it sounds hippy dippy, but I can go a year without writing. Then some days I get bizarre bursts of creativity and just go with it. The moment I start thinking about it, it all falls apart. Some of the songs I had rhythm and harmonic parts to. I'm a child of hip-hop. I make them in my computer. I do all the beats and all that and get down. Then I send them to Oliver Lake and Don Byron who wrote melodies to them. I told them what the songs were about, and we got together in the studio to record. So the record is totally improvisational, in the sense that you're hearing first and second takes of people just getting together. That's pretty much the concept.


You've played Essence before, no?

I love New Orleans, so any chance to go down there is really nice. I don't get down there as much as I'd like to. There's a strange, ghostly kind of quality to the city. There's an unexplainable presence. I love that there's music going on 24 hours a day. To me, it's not about where you're from, it's about where you're at. I'm very influenced by New Orleans music. New Orleans is the land of improvisational music and the drums too, so there's a very close connection to my music. It doesn't have to be spoken, it just is. There's no way I can articulate, really. The thing I'm remaining true to, in terms of people like Louis Armstrong, is you can dance to the music he made. It's an experience, that music, and not some intellectual treatise on how many notes you can play. That's what I'm keeping alive when you come see me. It's very African, you can dance to it.

Thanks for those two posts. For your insights and the interview, good read.

no prob, yeah i thought that interview gave some interesting insights to where she's coming from.

Gotta say, I'm very jealous though...you mentioned that you went to Meshells recent Amsterdam show right? I've read some glowing reviews of that gig at various sites on the web...based on those reviews and your own Miles comparison it sounds like that was one of those very very special.. perhaps even legendary... musical moments...and you got to experience it first hand, huh?

yup, i'm jealous indeed...

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

-----
Did anyone say that Prince was a better bass player ? What is up with the constant need to compare to different styles of music and two artist with different goals.

I have not gone to see Me'Shell because I heard enough stories about turning her back to the audience and keeping the lights low on the stage. She is not Miles. I hope that all of her antics are a thing of the past because I will not pay money to see an artist's backside.

laurarichardson said:

try listening to her music with your eyes closed.....it might help!

laurarichardson said:

I've been to 4 shows and never once has she turned her back. In fact, each time she really engaged the audience and spoke about her life and her music. I felt very included in the experience. Before talkin about her concert antics, you really should see her live and base your opinion on your experience and not some rumors.

This is a fantastic cd. I like it more and more!!I ordered the import version weeks back and I love it. I am trying my hand at painting and found yetserday that it really helps lubricate the creative machine. Great playing...great,great. Some of it reminds me something of a more updated Madhouse and some brings to mind Miles. It is what it is,though...a great collection of jazz tunes. I have been listening to a whole bunch of new cd's,but this one,Tiesto's "in search of sunrise 3",jamiroquai's "dynamite",and Brazilian Girls cd are my infatuations. The lead singer of Brazilian Girls is who sings on "aquarium" on Dance of the Infidels.You should really check that cd out!!

rockwilder said:

Off-topic: I just got my hands on Tiesto's 'In Search Of Sunrise 4: Latin America' and it's turning into this summer's soundtrack!!! Never thought I would own & like a Tiesto-cd!!!!

laurarichardson said:

Isn't she epileptic? That would explain turning the lights low and maybe turning around when there are to many flash lights.

calldapplwondery83 said:

Yes. Flashing cameras can trigger a seizure.

abierman said:

Is it good?I thought about getting that.Cool.His music is great for chilling and fast driving.

rockwilder said:

Yes!! Fast driving!!!
[Edited 7/12/05 15:02pm]

i wonder why the music critics havent really rated any of her albums?....i had never heard of her until a few days ago but i will check out her albums and give you my opinion on her but she is oviously very talented.

blackbob said:

Maybe she just aint big in Scotland. She's HUGE in my life. One of my musical heroes

My copy just arrived today.
I'm saving it for the ride home.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm

blackbob said:

actually her records often get raving positive critical aclaim...starting with her debut record which came out back in 1993 she has actually gotten rather consistent very high ratings by the official 'critics'. The issue with Meshell is that, while critics and fellow musicians give her the highest praise, the 'popular masses' still don't know who she is.

There are probably a lot of reasons for this...A: her music does not fit easily into one category, it kinda tends to be a mix of several genres...since her music can't be pigeonholed into one easy to identify (and easy to market to) genre, the record companies don't really seem to know how to promote her...add that to the fact that Meshell herself doesn't like to do videos if she doesn't have to, she'd rather focus her energies on creating the music and playing it live. No videos means no music chanel promotion...and, while she can write some of the most universally appealing beautiful and inspiring songs, at the same time she's definitely not afraid to write about topics that some people would say are cutting edge & controversial... and, probably because of all of THOSE reasons above, the extremely genre-specific playlist oriented radio stations don't play her at ALL at least not over here in the states...

so...because of all of that stuff most of your average casual music listeners and even many folks who would consider themselves more than casual music fans don't even know who she is, let alone realize that she's put out 6 amazing often trailblazing, critically aclaimed, always evolving albums, (plus probably at LEAST another 2 cd's worth of additional tunes that appeared on soundtracks and tribute albums)...and last but CERTAINLY not least, an artist who has also consistently delivered some of the most musically expresive unpredictable and powerful live performances that can be found since her debut over the last dozen years or so...

so..in spite of her skills, with the business side of the record biz the way it is, it really doesn't suprize me to hear that folks still don't know her...

but now that you do know who she is you can take a listen for yourself and see what you think, huh?

So what type of music moves you most?
I'm guessing theres agood chance theres something in her catalogue that would fit the bill. Based on what type of stuff you like most, if you are interested i'd be glad to help suggest some of my favorite Meshell tunes to track down...as i'm sure would several other folks...

if you'd like to learn more about what she's about and hear some samples... go here and surf around a bit using the different headers at the top...

http://www.freemyheart.com

that site is a wealth of info...such as cd & concert reviews and interviews spanning her ENTIRE career, lyrics for pretty much all of her catalogue, tour updates, music clips, video clips, band info, quotes from famous fans, forums...you name it its got it...i've been visiting the site for years and STILL haven't read everything thats available...

anyway, I'd just say keep your mind open...her stuff can take unexpected turns and twists without notice, which is one of the things i love the most about her as an artist in the first place
[Edited 7/12/05 19:40pm]

more specifically...go here...

http://www.freemyheart.com

then click on the "We Funk" header at the top...

scroll down to the "Sessions @ AOL" link from April 2002 and click on the appropriate speed for your connection...

its a link to a video stream of a mini in-studio casual jam/session of Meshell from a few years back...i think its a nice little intimate taste of one aspect of her style...they do three songs..."Earth" & "God Fear & Money" (from her album "Cookie: Anthropolocical Mixtape") and "Faithful" (from her album "Bitter")...like i said its a very casual and loose perfrmance, just her and her crew flowing through the tunes and enjoying themselves...but really its not too much different from how her live shows often are, very intimate, you can often really feel the band enjoying themselves on stage...and its contagious...

justhemusic said:

and heres another link to a KCRW performance from back in 2002...

http://www.kcrw.org/cgi-b..._type=show

once there you can click the "Click HERE to watch" button for the Video, or you can click the "audio" button if you just want to listen without a video stream...

What about this one?