Bitter
Me'shell
Ndegéocello
Me'Shell Ndegeocello's music is the most sublime
of the new school of American funk and soul. In a marked departure
from her previous offerings, Bitter is a dark, moody, and
soulful album that displays Ndegeocello's creative evolution as
she explores new depths of emotion in her music. --Michael
Wells
The angular, sensual
funk-rock blend of Me'Shell Ndegeocello's 1996 Peace
Beyond Passion here gives way to a hushed confessional
mood that recalls classics by Joni
Mitchell and Rosanne
Cash. Ndegeocello puts her formidable bass skills far off to
the side here--there's rarely even an electric guitar to be heard
on these tracks--in favor of a mix often dominated by a small
string section. Occasionally overripe, as on a cover of Hendrix's
"May This Be Love," Bitter is nonetheless an
intriguing take on one woman's love, confusion, and ultimately,
hope. --Rickey Wright
Plantation
Lullabies Me'shell
Ndegéocello
...Me'Shell NdegeOcello
possesses a confident, intelligent sexuality that's more potent
than any crotch-grabbing shtick...her style is all mellow,
majestic cool...Rolling Stone
...a bodacious, invigorating, self-assured suite
of songs that accent the best elements of soul, funk, jazz, and
their aggro-meltdown in hip hop's style wars...Spin
...[a] stunning debut...Me'Shell NdegeOcello's
last name means `free like a bird' in Swahili. That might account
for the ease with which she flutters through musical styles...[she
has] a remarkable vocal range...Vibe