Meshell Ndegeocello, the American bassist, composer and singer who revolutionized neo-soul and alternative R&B with albums like ‘Plantation Lullabies’ and ‘Peace Beyond Passion’, already has her next work ready, which will be covers. It’s called ‘Synonym’, it will arrive on October 18 through the legendary Blue Note label – home of jazz legends such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Norah Jones – and will bring together an impressive parade of collaborators.
The first preview is a new version of ‘I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)’, the classic popularized by Aretha Franklin and George Michael, now reinterpreted with Cynthia Erivo (‘Wicked’). In the hands of Meshell and Cynthia, the 1987 hit showcases Erivo’s most restrained and delicate range, as the arrangement transforms the song into an exquisite exercise in neo-soul without ever losing sight of its enormous melody.
The rest of the album maintains the same idea, revisiting well-known songs with the most varied guests. There are Cat Power in ‘Don’t You Want Me’, Chaka Khan in ‘Islands in the Stream’, ANOHNI in ‘I Got You Babe’, Willow in ‘Hunger Strike’ or Bill Callahan, accompanied by Chris Thile, in ‘With God on Our Side’. Names such as Lianne La Havas, Moses Sumney, Robert Glasper, Nick Hakim, Brandi Carlile and Laura Lee also appear.
His previous album, ‘No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin’ (2024), was a tribute to the writer James Baldwin that mixed jazz, soul and spoken word.
You will remember Meshell for fundamental neo-soul albums such as ‘Bitter’ (1999) or for collaborating with Madonna on her album ‘Bedtime Stories’ (1994) after being signed to Maverick Records.
01. I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) (feat. Cynthia Erivo)
02. Don’t You Want Me (feat. Cat Power)
03. Don’t Stop The Music (with Nick Hakim and Robert Glasper)
04. Islands In The Stream (with Chaka Khan)
05. It Ain’t Me Babe (feat. Madison Cunningham)
06. Always on Time (with Laura Lee)
07. Be Real Black For Me (with Emily King and Lizz Wright)
08. Don’t Look Any Further (feat. Lianne La Havas)
09. The Closer I Get To You (with Destin Conrad and Moses Sumney)
10. Golden Ring (with Brandi Carlile)
11. I Got You Babe (feat. ANOHNI)
12. Here We Come (Here He Comes) (feat. Evann McIntosh)
13. Guilty (with Ink)
14. Hunger Strike (with Willow)
15. With God On Our Side (with Bill Callahan and Chris Thile)
