MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO - PRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF MUSIC JAMIA: DANCE OF THE INFIDEL

Every time I hear a new Meshell disc I'm amazed by what she accomplishes. This one was kinda shocking. Even though I'm used to her switching up styles every disc, I wasn't prepared for something committing so heavily to one genre. This disc is all jazz. It's very loose and free flowing. It's like Meshell gathered a whole group of her musical friends together one after noon and said, "Let's jam!" Right from the start you know this is something unusual. 'Mu-Min' is a mid-tempo groove that doesn't really go anywhere or say anything. It just kinda pops up like the Cheshire Cat and say, "What's up? Where ya going? What ya doing? Who you gonna see and how much time are you gonna spend?" But all without any resolution. Hehehe. The next track, 'Al-Falaq 113' isn't much better by way of giving you a direction or even a clue as to what's happening. It's really free form jazz jamming with a very basic melody they travel across now and again just to keep you guessing.

The next number is shocking for a number of reasons. A) because it's more in the vein of traditional pop music and features vocals. However, that's where the similarities end. 'Aquarium' is a song about being trapped by emotion for another person. You're their prisoner kept simply for their entertainment. B) because Meshell doesn't sing the vocal track. A woman named Sabina contributes vocals to the number. She has an intriguing voice. I want to hear more. C) It doesn't conform to the previous two songs, making it sound completely unique and different. At least until the horns kick in and then you get that Free Flow feeling again.

'Papillon' sound like something on a Madhouse album. I really enjoy the relaxing rhythm and melody of this number. It goes through a number of changes before it ends, but they're all relaxing and enjoyable. 'Dance Of The Infidel' relies heavily on a lopsided motif to earn it's title. The odd sound used in the motif only appears briefly during the entire duration. It's not a bad sound, it just seems out of place with the deeper groove of the track. Still, it's one of my favorite numbers. 'The Chosen' sounds like a late night jam at a Vegas Lounge or backwoods Speakeasy with one of those smokey voiced singers from the 1930s. 'Luqman' starts off with an incredible bass line that evolves into something with perpetual energy. It bustles along with all the momentum and power of a steam engine. There's notes played in juxtaposition like musical hopscotch. It certainly doesn't seem to have order beyond the bass line.

'Heaven' sounds like something you'd hear before church in the south. There's a gospel style to it along with a jazzy vibe you can't begin to mess with. Words simply can't so this magical number justice. It's simply too darn good.
My final word: EXCELLENT! Although it's not my favorite Meshell disc, it's easily one of my favorite jazz records. Like I mentioned in a previous review, you start to expect certain things from certain artists and even though I find it fascinating that Meshell would branch this far away from her regular sound, I'm still longing to hear her sultry vocals. She takes me places no other artist does and when she sings, I simply float along with this amazing woman. She certainly opens a new door for fans with this disc. Gotta give her credit for that.

MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO - PRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF MUSIC JAMIA: DANCE OF THE INFIDEL
01. Mu-Min
02. Al-Falaq 113
03. Aquarium
04. Papillon
05. Dance Of The Infidel
06. The Chosen
07. Luqman
08. Heaven