Canonized, marginalized or just scrutinized, Meshell Ndegeocello has given up trying to explain herself. After 20 years in an industry that has called her everything from avant garde to a dying breed, what unquestionably remains is the fearsome bassist, prolific songwriter and the creativity and curiosity of an authentic musical force. With that, she has earned critical acclaim, the unfailing respect of fellow players, songwriters and composers, and the dedication of her diverse, unclassifiable fans.
Devil’s Halo, Meshell's 8th album and her first for Mercer Street, harkens back to the way records used to be made: no click track or electronic synthetics, with a focus on musicianship and live band energy. Meshell feels that Devil’s Halo represents a return to a place that she truly appreciates, music that is created and performed by people's hands. Produced by Meshell and guitarist Chris Bruce, and influenced by a wide breadth of sounds - from The Human League to Wu Tang to Yes – Devil’s Halo displays Meshell's vocals and diversity throughout.
Meshell says of Devil’s Halo, "I guess I've ended up believing in the gray area, the dichotomies and the unknowable. This record is all about contrast - then and now, raw and polished, beats and harmonies, Devil's Halo, good in evil in all things. I know some people want more of what they've heard and I know other people want the envelope pushed every time and I feel like this record makes peace with all of them”. She adds, “I love heavy bass and dub and beats, but I also sit and play the piano and write a song inspired by a pub in Dublin. I'm not representing anymore - I'm a musician, that's all I can offer. Each record is just meant to say: here's where that's led me today."
Meshell Ndegeocello was born Michelle Johnson in Berlin, Germany and raised in Washington DC. By the early 90's, she had landed in New York armed with a demo recorded in her bedroom, joined the Black Rock Coalition, and was soon signed to Madonna's label. Her records, 8 to date, have offered lyrical ruminations on race, love, sex, betrayal, God, and power, and she has simultaneously embraced and challenged listeners with her refusal to be pigeon-holed musically or personally. Meshell has been both celebrated and berated for her politically charged lyrics, sexual boundary crossing, and for choosing the road less traveled - a winding adventure through her own musical ambitions rather than the industry formulas.
A vast array of influences have informed all of her albums, including Devil’s Halo, and there are traces of her native go-go, hip hop, rock, R&B, new wave and punk in each. Each album has been a step away from the last, each used as a chance to investigate and integrate new sounds and ideas, and fans have been treated to everything from the deep-funk of Plantation Lullabies to the raw and confessional Bitter to the hip-hop loving Cookie. Possessed with instrumental gifts as diverse as her interests, Meshell composed, arranged and produced a jazz record in 2005.
A bass player above all else, Meshell brings her signature warm, fat, and melodic groove to everything she does and has appeared alongside the Rolling Stones, Madonna, Alanis Morrisette, James Blood Ulmer, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Tony Allen, John Medeski, Billy Preston, and Chaka Khan. As for her own bass-playing influences, she credits Sting, Jaco Pastorius, Family Man Barrington, and Stevie Wonder. Meshell was the first woman to be featured on the cover of Bass Player magazine and remains one of few women who lead the band and write the music.
Hello Meshell! I greatly admire his sound and his playing. Thanks for adding to your list of friends and fans here on myspace. Health, peace and much success always!
Meshell I have yet to see you perform live but have been a fan of your music for a long time and would love to interview you on my radio show. I have an online radio show featuring various indie soul artists, please stop and check it out sometime. www.blogtalkradio.com/expressionloveandpassion
Meshell.....I have seen you a few times now...and each time was special. First time, you played Wilderness....such a badass song. With you, I have learned to never expect anything. So in Boulder this past week, I walked in with no expectation. I'm looking at the stage, the energy of the roadies and the opening band, and suddenly I feel something. I feel it's gonna be a tremendous show. Needless to say, I was farm from disappointed. You pick a great band and the energy you all had on stage was incredible. I was so thankful you played some songs from the past...and did them with such elegance and energy. Thank you
Thanks for the add I'm a new fan of yours ( Thank u Lord, I still have serious friends !) Be shure that it's for a long, long time, and I hope it will be possible to see you some day on stage. I'm greatly respectful to your music, and at first in love with it! Erik, from Toulouse, France
Awesome energy at The New Parish. The Band "HOT", I wish I could have seen D, but I felt him all night long. The musicians play like they are a part of your divine essence. You all took me to a place beyond words, like "Coltrane". Thank you. I too am Grateful.
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