2024 has seen the introduction of a new category in the Grammys, 'Best Alternative Jazz Album', with the debut winner being Meshell Ndegeocello with her 11th solo album titled The Omnichord Real Book.
This was not Ndegeocello’s first nomination, she has been put forward for 11 Grammy Awards in total with this being her second win, following ‘Best R&B Song’ in 2021 for Better Than I Imagine. These nominations span across 29 years demonstrating an impressive consistency in the quality of her work.
Furthermore, these nominations dramatically vary between categories from ‘Rhythm and Blues’, to ‘Contemporary Jazz’, ‘Pop Vocal Collaboration’ and ‘Urban/ Alternative”. Her ability to push boundaries and break down barriers between genres is progressive and allows the listening experience to be continually intriguing due to a sense of the unknown.
Ndegeocello's Spotify biography encapsulates her musical ability stating she is ‘impossible to typecast’, having “moved across Jazz, Blues, Soul, Funk and Reggae, as well as Folk and Rock” in a singular career. This depth is further reflected in an impressive list of artists with whom she has collaborated, including Madonna, The Rolling Stones, Prince, and Bill Summers from The Headhunters.
The Album
The Omnichord Real Book is a progression of her recent run of jazz-inspired albums with hints of Funk, R&B, and Pop. The album continually creates a sense of intrigue due to the changing musical styles and instruments. An Omnichord is a Japanese synthesiser with a drum beat that is known for creating a “futuristic sound” which is heard throughout the album and showcased on the opening track Georgia Ave. The Real Book is the best-selling jazz songbook of all time containing the lead sheets for jazz standards. The combination of these two, an unlikely pair, sets up for over an hour of R&B, Neo-Soul, and much more.
Ndegeocello was introduced to the bass at an early age which is evident throughout this album through the strong bass lines, driving the funky sound on many of the songs. In Omnipuss, the bass carries the overall tune of the song with unsettling notes from the electric harp adding to an unusual, futuristic feeling.
This strong bass is carried through onto other songs such as Clear Water, which heavily utilises it at the beginning with some improvisational jazz. However, the song evolves into Hip-Hop temporarily before switching to Gospel, heartfelt vocals. This is one of my personal favourite songs on the album due to its progression and clear jazz inspiration.
Many of the artists Ndegeocello has collaborated with on this particular album are known to be especially strong with their improvisational work which adds to the innovative nature of this album. The song Gatsby, is a piano ballad that feels reflective and emotional, completely juxtaposing the bass-driven songs that precede it, with Samora Pinderhughes on piano.
The album continually plays with the differential of simplicity against complexity, often choosing to alternate between a-capella beats and busy instrumentals. Vuma, feels cluttered in comparison to some of the more simplistic tunes however makes for an interesting listen, heightened by the comparison to the rest of the album.
Intriguing additions such as the THA KING, spoken in Xhosa by Thandiswa Mazwai, and oneelevensixteen, an almost 3-minute slow instrumental track, further add to the diversity of the album and widen the listening experience and unpredictability.
The culmination of this album feels like the 9-minute single Virgo, with synth bass, relaxed vocals, and the harp. This song captures the feel of the album through the quieter vocal parts and the hectic jazz-inspired ending.
This album provides a distinctive listening experience and would be recommended to someone attempting to broaden their music taste. Certainly, fans of Jazz, Neo-Soul, and Funk should appreciate this album and hopefully take away something new.
While Ndegeocello is by no means unknown or underground, her music does feel out of the spotlight of the critical acclaim she has received and the depth of her discography. Elements of her work can be appreciated by all listeners and her music is a good place to start branching out into different genres.
Photo Credit: The Omnichord Real Book Cover Art
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