Acclaimed jazz-funk bassist and neo-soul chanteuse Meshell Ndegeocello (pictured left), releases her tenth studio album, Pour une âme souveraine (‘For a sovereign soul’), on 8 October on Naïve Records. A dedication to the fearless creativity and spirit of Nina Simone, the feisty songwriter/bassist is joined by her regular touring band of guitarist Chris Bruce, keyboardist Jebin Bruni and drummer Deantoni Parks, all creating radically reworked versions of songs made famous by the iconic singer. The recording also features guest vocal performances from Lizz Wright, Sinead O’Connor, Valerie June, Tracy Wannomae, Toshi Reagon and Cody ChesnuTT.
Recorded over a ten-day period the album’s often fiery, soulful exuberance is a direct reflection of Ndegeocello’s admiration of Simone’s indomitable creative spirit, describing the project as: “A dedication to Nina Simone and her incredible influence but it is also a dedication to the single, interior life we all experience. She wanted success, was pressured to make hits, but her own sound was still irrepressible. She had things to say, she protested. She was a loud, proud black, female voice…
Read more: Jazzwise Magazine
