Meshell Ndegeocello announces new James Baldwin-inspired album via Blue Note

Curated by Arooj Aftab News snacks

Fresh on the heels of her Sun Ra Tribute Album Red Hot & Ra : The Magic City and last year's The Omnichord Real Book, acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and neo-soul movement igniter Meshell Ndegeocello has announced her second Blue Note album No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin.

The album is an homage to the eminent writer and activist James Baldwin, to be released on 2 August, the 100th anniversary of the iconic author’s birth. With the announcement, the first two tracks have also been made available: Travel and Raise The Roof.

Meshell Ndegeocello has always worn her artistry and identity as a proud Black queer woman on her sleeve. No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin is described as a genre-bending work that is at once a musical experience, a church service, a celebration, a testimonial, and a call to action.

"No More Water marks a significant moment of self-discovery for Ndegeocello. She adds that Baldwin entered her life at precisely the right time. “It came when I was ready to look in the mirror. I’ve had to play Plantation Lullabies at a few shows. Looking back, I had an interesting perspective, but the dialogue was limited. It was more like a cathartic experience for a young person of color, whereas now I’m going, ‘How can I get us all to love each other? How can I get us all to see this for what it is?’"

Meshell Ndegeocello performs at Le Guess Who? on Sunday, 10 November. Also performing at the festival are a.o. Arooj Aftab, aja monet, Kahil El’Zabar Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, The Messthetics & James Brandon Lewis, Sheherazaad, and many more.

Photography by Andre D. Wagner