MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO

Weather

[Naïve]

Meshell Ndegeocello has been pushing the limits of her genre-bending ambition for 20 years, and in the process the agile bassist has gained a reputation as a must-have session player and a solo artist whose skills are matched only by her daring. Produced by the ever-eclectic Joe Henry, Ndegeocello’s ninth album (and first since 2009’s Devil’s Halo) blends pulsating rhythms, atmospheric arrangements and dense, dark undercurrents to meld a most seductive set of songs. At once intimidating and inviting, Weather finds Ndegeocello and guest stars Chris Connelly, Benji Hughes and Henry himself emphasizing ambiance over melody and ambiguity over specifics. Nevertheless, a steady stomp and Ndegeocello’s soulful, subdued vocals make the title track, “Rapid Fire” and a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel” essential. –LZ

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