Dance of the Infidel

Amazon.com
Longtime fans of Meshell Ndegeocello are certainly aware she can’t be pinned down. The truth is, like Prince, Meshell is too brilliant a musician to stay in one place for too long. On Dance of the Infidel Meshell acts more like a ringleader than a performer. Instead of singing, Meshell directs her energy towards writing, assembling a stunning collection of talent, playing bass and producing the project. Surprisingly, her voice is never actually heard. Some of the music is very beautiful, languid and accessible to all; jazzy enough to attract fans of fusion, yet consistently melodic enough to satisfy lovers of her trademark neo-soul. The three vocal numbers are achingly gorgeous. from "Aquarium," with lush, downtempo vocals of Brazillian Girls contributor Sabina, to the seductive sounds of Cassandra Wilson fronting "The Chosen," to the disc’s bluesy closer "When Did You Leave Heaven" by Lalah Hathaway. As for the players, there is a truly incredible, rotating lineup. The Spirit Music Jamia, as they are called, includes Jack DeJohnette, Kenny Garrett, Oran Coltrane (son of John) on horn and many more. The first 17 minutes ("Mu-Min" and "Al-Falaq 113") shows just how serious a jazz CD this is . Those two tracks are not Norah Jones -type light jazz, but more of a Miles Davis Bitches Brew vibe. In fact, even the vocal-fronted tracks have significant instrumental jazz input, so there really isn’t a single ‘pop’ song, per se, on this disc. The music is unquestionably wonderful. Fans of Ndegeocello should know, however, that it is a different kind of wonderful. --Denise Sheppard

Product Description
SPIRIT MUSIC JAMIA represents Meshell Ndegeocello's vision of spiritual groove music - improvisation featuring jazz and soul legends and luminaries. Influenced by life, Miles Davis, Kool Herc, Carl Sagan and holy scripture, these new compositions are suitable for free minds, open hears, and shaking behinds.

Dance of the Infidel,Me'Shell NdegéOcello,Shanachie,Contemporary R&B,Downtempo,Fusion,Pop,Post-Bop,R&B,Singer/Songwriter,Soul/R & B,United States of America

Average customer rating:

Magical
Fair to so so cd
Next Level
Wow, What A Departure!!
Me'Shell at the fullest representation of her artistry!

Dance of the Infidel
Me'Shell NdegéOcello
Manufacturer: Shanachie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Comfort Woman
Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape
Plantation Lullabies
Bitter
Peace Beyond Passion

ASIN: B0009JPVXS
Release Date: 2005-06-21

Tracks:

Mu-Min
Al-Falaq 113
Aquarium
Papillon
Dance of the Infidel
The Chosen
Luqman
When Did You Leave Heaven

Amazon.com

Longtime fans of Meshell Ndegeocello are certainly aware she can't be pinned down. The truth is, like Prince, Meshell is too brilliant a musician to stay in one place for too long. On Dance of the Infidel Meshell acts more like a ringleader than a performer. Instead of singing, Meshell directs her energy towards writing, assembling a stunning collection of talent, playing bass and producing the project. Surprisingly, her voice is never actually heard. Some of the music is very beautiful, languid and accessible to all; jazzy enough to attract fans of fusion, yet consistently melodic enough to satisfy lovers of her trademark neo-soul. The three vocal numbers are achingly gorgeous. from "Aquarium," with lush, downtempo vocals of Brazillian Girls contributor Sabina, to the seductive sounds of Cassandra Wilson fronting "The Chosen," to the disc's bluesy closer "When Did You Leave Heaven" by Lalah Hathaway. As for the players, there is a truly incredible, rotating lineup. The Spirit Music Jamia, as they are called, includes Jack DeJohnette, Kenny Garrett, Oran Coltrane (son of John) on horn and many more. The first 17 minutes ("Mu-Min" and "Al-Falaq 113") shows just how serious a jazz CD this is . Those two tracks are not Norah Jones -type light jazz, but more of a Miles Davis Bitches Brew vibe. In fact, even the vocal-fronted tracks have significant instrumental jazz input, so there really isn't a single `pop' song, per se, on this disc. The music is unquestionably wonderful. Fans of Ndegeocello should know, however, that it is a different kind of wonderful. --Denise Sheppard

Album Description

SPIRIT MUSIC JAMIA represents Meshell Ndegeocello's vision of spiritual groove music - improvisation featuring jazz and soul legends and luminaries. Influenced by life, Miles Davis, Kool Herc, Carl Sagan and holy scripture, these new compositions are suitable for free minds, open hears, and shaking behinds.

Customer Reviews:

Magical.......2007-03-23

Hypnotic, creative, deep and rich...incredible compositions. Shows her artistic growth. Music is the language we all can connect with...) this is well worth getting and savoring.

Fair to so so cd .......2007-03-03

Songs 5&6 best songs on this cd were awesome. The rest of this cd was so so to not so good. Needs better material to for instrument playing & better songs to hear what kind of voice she has to show it more up front then have like its in the back ground over powered by instruments needs better arrangements of rest of cd. Id wait to see if her next cds before you buy this one. Again songs 5 & 6 were real awesome.

Next Level.......2007-02-08

Great compilation of unique & talented artists. It is similar in the sense that it shows remnants of her earlier work, but manages to provide something new not only for her fans, but for music as a whole.

Wow, What A Departure!!.......2006-10-03

I love this CD! This is not your usual Me'Shell - no clever lyrics, no lament about love, just music, music, and more music. Papillon is my favorite cut on this CD, but I love the vocal stylings of Lalah Hathaway and Cassandra Wilson and whoever is singing "I'm a fish in an aquarium." This is a great CD to put on when you're entertaining company or home alone. Another winner, Me'Shell!!

Me'Shell at the fullest representation of her artistry!.......2006-09-24

No one seems to know what to make of this disc - Some say its her "jazz" album, many call it a "radical departure", some just think it a mistake. Many haven't even heard of it, what with the mess her record company has made of promoting it. I just love it. If you listen to her entire body of work (and you should) this album is simply a logical progression, but definitely not just more-of-the-same. Its Me'Shell really at the top of her game, in a more creatively fulfilled mode than I have seen her yet. The album is an amazingly diverse representation of Jazz, Soul, Funk, and more, including a Straight-Ahead Bluesy Ballad and a Pop song that could have been on a Bjork album. What do you expect from someone who chose herself a last name that, in Swahili, means "free like a bird"? Its genre busting, but Me'shell has been that all along. And its brilliant - the best album I have bought in several years. Do yourself a favor and buy it now. If you dont like it the first time, play it again until you get it.

Average customer rating:

BREATH-TAKING!!!
Me'Shell--My Bell....love is!
Meshell Does Jazz
It Does Not Get Any Better Than This!!!!
Black Mariposa

Dance of the Infidel
Meshell Ndegeocello , and Spirit Music Jamia
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Bitter
Comfort Woman
Dance of the Infidel
Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape
Peace Beyond Passion

ASIN: B0007DHOXQ
Release Date: 2005-05-17

Tracks:

Believer
Al Falaq 13
Aquarium (Ft Sabina Sciubba)
Papillon
Chosen (Ft Cassandra Wilson)
Dance Of The Infidel
Luqman
Heaven (Ft Lalah Hathaway)

Album Description

Meshell Ndegeocello gives free rein to her desire for musical expression on her new album 'Dance Of The Infidels'. Joined by guest vocalists Cassandra Wilson, Sabina Scuba and Lalah Hathaway and instrumentalists Kenny Garrett and Roy Hargrove. Emarcy. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

BREATH-TAKING!!!.......2005-07-09

This CD has left me speechless! It was such a pleasant surprise and I have been hooked since my first listen. I'm a H-U-G-E Meshell fan, and--while I do miss her smooth, sexy voice--I have to say she's outdone herself with what has to be one of THE best jazz collections I've ever heard in all my life. I will take this CD with me everywhere I go... work, home, travel, etc. Please buy it or download it... ASAP!

Me'Shell--My Bell....love is!.......2005-06-28

I just got the album and I am love with the music--soothing, aiding to the spirit--absolutely moving. I can go on and on...but I will simply say--BEAUTIFUL and POETIC!

Meshell Does Jazz.......2005-05-25

I have been a Meshell Ndegeocello fan for many years. I have seen her perform several times. I love this cd & her take on jazz. I especially love #3 Aquarium featuring Sabina on vocals.
As usual & expected, Meshell is doing the d@mn thing !!! The cd is great. The ONLY thing I miss is her haunting, sexy voice. But, the music is TIGHT !!!

It Does Not Get Any Better Than This!!!!.......2005-05-14

I recieved a promo copy over a week ago. I played it while I was cooking. I played it while the TV was on mute watching a basketball playoff game. I played it while soaking in the jacuzzi sipping on some wine. I played it, and played it and played it. It does not play out. This CD went over big at a friend's art party. You cannot get any better than this. Peace.

Black Mariposa.......2005-05-05

Beautiful..Simple as that. No need to analyze this one, if you're familiar with the Spirit, then words are irrelevant. Experience it. Meshell...One of the few flowers still growing in this concrete experience.

Average customer rating:

Dance of the Infidel

Dance of the Infidel
Me'Shell NdegéOcello
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0007OE12W

Tracks:

Mu-Min
Al-Falaq 113
Aquarium
Papillon
Dance Of The Infidel
Chosen
Luqman
When Did You Leave Heaven

Customer Reviews:

Dance of the Infidel.......2005-06-22

I speak overmuch because the music really will say enough. Don't get this album if you're not open-minded about music and especially if you're not open-minded about Meshell's music. The album is beautiful, the writing and the playing is incredible. The live show is more taxing that a religious fast (for me, anyway). Many people have been upset by her new sound however, so i don't think perhaps you may have to work a little bit to get this stuff. for the jazz cats, this isn't soullive or something jammy like that (which is not to disparage that stuff completely either), this is music that any serious musician in the so-called black music scene should be listening to. and closely. and go buy a ticket and support the band. god, i hope the come out with a live album and keep playing the venues let us get close enough to see them make the music. in many ways, i am still speechless.