Tunin' up & Cosignin'

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Ode 2 Nina

2. People

3. ...RC, What was U Doing

4. Day Dreamer

5. Dat Mare Ray

6. Call Me

7. Bitter Bitter Blue

8. Crazy World

9. See U In My Dreams

10. Y'all ready, fool?

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Lonely Woman/ Eva's Song

2. Soul From The Abyss

3. Soul..Day Dreamer

4. Deep

5. Blueprint 4...

6. Picture This/ Can This Be Love

7. Lock, Playin' his own shi*

8. I Think 4 Sure

9. What's Wrong With U

10. The Sunshine

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Disc: 1
1. Ode 2 Nina
2. People
3. ...RC, What was U Doing
4. Day Dreamer
5. Dat Mare Ray
6. Call Me
7. Bitter Bitter Blue
8. Crazy World
9. See U In My Dreams
10. Y'all ready, fool?
See all 13 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2
1. Lonely Woman/ Eva's Song
2. Soul From The Abyss
3. Soul..Day Dreamer
4. Deep
5. Blueprint 4...
6. Picture This/ Can This Be Love
7. Lock, Playin' his own shi*
8. I Think 4 Sure
9. What's Wrong With U
10. The Sunshine
See all 11 tracks on this disc

Tunin' up & Cosignin',N'Dambi,Cheeky-i Productions,Contemporary R&B,Soul/R & B,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues,Urban

Tracks:

Ode 2 Nina
People
...R.C., What Was U Doing?
Day Dreamer
Do Mat Mare Ray
Call Me
Bitter Bitter Blue
Crazy World
See U In My Dreams
Y'all Ready, Fool?
Hot Pearl C
Black Star
Leave It Just Like That

Tracks:

Lonely Woman/Eva's Song
Soul From Abyss
Soul... Day Dreamer
Deep
Blueprint 4...
Picture This/Can This Be Love
Lock, Playin' His Own Shi...
I Think 4 Sure
What's Wrong With U
The Sunshine
Broke My Heart

Customer Reviews:

N'Dambi does it again.......2007-01-03

this is the third time i have replaced this album...don't ask...but yes it is just that good. Perfect fit for the neo-sol/jazz/scat music lover...definite must have...put it in and let it ride....

A powerful songtress, a great talent.......2006-12-02

The first thing I'd recommend to those not familiar with N'Dambi is not to expect Erykah Badu. Though the two are actually best friends, draw upon similar musical inspiration, and creative enough to write their own material, they represent two unique vocalists. With that in mind, this CD is a great intro to N'Dambi's vocal and writing gifts. Her fluency in the vocabulary of Jazz lifts many of the tracks, and is a testament to her superb artistry. The so-called "Neo-Soul" label is just too limited, to describe what she does. In addition to being a two CD set of original compositions (including remakes of songs from her first CD), the musicianship and production is top notch all the way. This is very compelling music by a gifted performer, with great passion for her art. Being an independent artist, N'Dambi is not as well known as she should be. This CD however, is for those who appreciate great talent and unbridled artistry, which towers above the 'run of the mill' stuff, that is much of today's popular music.

Still the Best CD I have Bought in Awhile Yet.......2006-09-10

I wish she would just sing w/o the gimmicky scats. The album is great nonetheless.

N'Dambi: Black Star from Planet Badu.......2005-09-16

[...]
Die-hard Erykah Badu fans all know that one of her former back-up singers and Dallas, TX, friend -- N'Dambi -- is equally bad. As in awesome. Period.

Less commercial, and perhaps more an original than the quite original Erykah, N'Dambi is arguably the ultimate Neo Soul artist for '70's Jazz-Funk fans. As in this sister's style is so intricate, she's sort of not even Neo Soul. She feels like the real deal from back in the day. From many different, better days.

These are The Six Degrees of N'Dambi, based on her superb, now classic double-CD set from 2002,
Tunin Up & Cosignin...

First Degree: Her raw emotion and adeptness with classic funk rhythms is as finely tuned as Bilal's. In fact, in some way, I consider N'Dambi the female answer to Bilal and wish these two would get together in a studio sometime. But where Bilal takes powerful hip-hop turns, N'Dambi masterfully dives into pure jazz.

Second Degree: That laid-back sound that put Erykah on the map? N'Dambi has this gift, too. They both exude a talent for a sound that says, "I'm way too busy telling you what's up here, pouring out my heart -- and having fun doing it -- to fret singing within the commercial norm." N'Dambi doesn't have a pretentious atom in her voice. Au natural and earthy.

Third Degree: Heavy (and these days rare) use of live studio musicians that jam in the style of Chaka Khan's killer band, Rufus. However, N'Dambi's band throws down serious jazz, too. There's consistently flawless bass work going on, at times reminding me of Ron Carter (the genius behind Badu's Certainly) or the spirited Marcus Miller. (Check out producer Kenneth Crouch's bananas bass in Black Star!!!) The musicanship on this double-CD is simply off the chain.

Fourth Degree: N'Dambi sometimes triggers a double-take with her pared down, plain-truth sound, "neo reincarnating" Nina Simone. (Check out Ode 2 Nina and Crazy World.) I'll even say that her unique interpretation is to purposely go flat and off into tricky keys at times. But it's cool as all get-out! Somewhat like Cassandra Wilson, N'Dambi's fearless about doing her own distinctive thing (in higher octives, though).

Fifth Degree: About that smoking band again... They take to the stratosphere two songs with a jazzy House music beat: Day Dreamer and Call Me. In both songs, the singer gets to the bottom of things. In one, getting deep inside your head to get up and get yours in life; in the other, basically asking, like Roberta Flack, Where Is the Love, baby?

Sixth Degree: With all of the above said, N'Dambi sounds precisely like... no one. Which is exactly why we dig her vibe. True to the meaning of her Muslim name, this sister's work is without a doubt, "most beautiful."

Viqi French

OFF KEY? NAW "ON DECK!".......2005-04-10

I was a bit skeptical about scooping up this CD as one cat here reviewed it and spoke of her "atrocious" vocals but I got it anyway. Now, I have an idea on why he thought that but I don't think he's well-versed in the art of "scatting." See, in scatting, you can go off key and it not really matter, just as in Jazz one gets to mess around between the more common/expected notes, called a blue note (A flatted note, especially the third or seventh note of a scale, in place of an expected major interval). Well, same thing applies in scatting...you can mess around like that all under artistic license, it's all good. Now..after saying that...

There was a time where she PURPOSELY sang out of key as a joke with her producer and it was documented as being just that from their dialogue after they finished the "riff" of the song.

Ok, now, this double CD is pretty damn strong, folks! This is a nice blend of Jazz and Neo remniscent of Ledisi's "Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue." This is a perfect "Get-together" CD to play as you and your close friends sit back and take in the smoothness of the afternoon as it mellowly swings into the evening. Great production and N'Dambi, as always, delivers the goods vocally. Get this CD, folks. Period.

Average customer rating:

Tunin' Up & Cosignin'
N'Dambi
Manufacturer: Soul Bros Pure Jazz
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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

General | R&B | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000D1C7N
Release Date: 2006-11-22

Tracks:

Daydreamer
Lonely Woman/Eva's Song
Call Me
People
See Ya in My Dreams
Bitter Bitter Blue
I Think 4 Sure
What's Wrong With U
Soul from the Abyss
Picture This/Can This Be Love
Sunshine
Ode2nina

Average customer rating:

Tunin' Up & Cosignin

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000NKHJNI
Release Date: 2002-10-15

Average customer rating:

The "BEST" thing I've ever heard in my life
Black Star
Damn! this some great stuff!!!!!
Back to the ROOTS
Im confused.

Tunin' Up & Cosignin'
N'Dambi
Manufacturer: Cheeky-i Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

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

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005N6P1
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Tracks:

Ode 2 Nina
People
...RC, What was U Doing
Day Dreamer
Dat Mare Ray
Call Me
Bitter Bitter Blue
Crazy World
See U In My Dreams
Y'all ready, fool?
Hot Pearl C
Black Star
Leave It Just Like That

Tracks:

Lonely Woman/ Eva's Song
Soul From The Abyss
Soul..Day Dreamer
Deep
Blueprint 4...
Picture This/ Can This Be Love
Lock, Playin' his own shi*
I Think 4 Sure
What's Wrong With U
The Sunshine
Broke My Heart

Customer Reviews:

The "BEST" thing I've ever heard in my life.......2002-01-31

This is, by far, the best double album i've ever heard. Both albums are 100% live instruments (hammond b-3, fender rhodes,drums,percussion,bass and lead guitars). She is AWESOME. I can't express that enough. I promise on everything that i love, you will THOROUGHLY enjoy both albums. Get it NOW!!!!!!

Black Star.......2002-01-25

N'Dambi's new album is one of nostalgia and extreme honesty. She gave us just a hint with Little Lost Girls Blues. It's unfortunate that she is not on a major label but at the same time it's a blessing. She doesn't feel the need to conform or compromise her craft. Tunin' Up & Cosignin is a truly great project. It resembles those great albums that were made and produced in the late 60's and 70's where it was live and the grooves were real. You can't compare her to Erykah or any of the others unless you are saying that she is creating fresh vibes and real music as they all do. How much of that do you hear on the radio? She should be the real millionaire. I won't bother to insult or comment other artist that are overexposed on the radio. N'Dambi's Ode to Nina is a true example of artistry. The inflection and intonation that she gives to the pitches is exactly what Nina would have done. It was quite impressive. Some say that she has pitch issues on the record but that is bound to happen sometimes when you are recording live. That is so irrelevant in the overall scheme of things. She is an instrument with a unique timbre and approach. There are so many songs on this project that are refreshing. She may not be a household name yet but it is coming if she sticks to her convictions.

Damn! this some great stuff!!!!!.......2001-12-29

Good Soul the way it waas meant to be heard! I'll take the chance to say that she is a better artist than who she sings back up for (Erykah Badu). Her vocal range is unique and beautiful. This a must have for all my Okayplayers and (Neo)Soul music lovers.

Back to the ROOTS.......2001-12-28

I picked up N'dambi's CDs without having heard them or knowing anything much about the concept or lyrics. I love raw, soul music! When I heard N'dambi's "Ode 2 Nina," I knew this sista was a shining star. Not many vocalists can capture the rawness of Nina and the truth involved in recreating such lyrics and emotions. Beautifully done.

As a whole, I enjoy both CDs by N'dambi. I am captured by the two CD set "Tunin Up & Cosignin." Her vocals are raw and not subject to overly done production and engineering. Her light shines and there is no comparison. I agree with an earlier reviewer that her talent is obvious but it takes an ear that is not biased to today's commercial, radio music. Have an open heart and receive the gift of ROOTS talent brought to you by N'dambi.

Can't wait to see her perform!

Im confused........2001-12-19

(...) Her off key, beautiful style is what makes her N'Dambi. You really think D'Angelo, Badu, & Bilal would work with her if she couldn't hold a tune? She doesn't sound like any artist you'll find in the industry right now and that's what makes her. Hey I love the CD...... I didn't get the first because it was too hard to find, but this one was worth my (money).

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