To call Meshell Ndegeocello’s triumphant career diverse would be an understatement. Since the early ’90s the vocalist, bassist and songwriter has delivered one unique listen after another, never repeating the same steps and embracing a wide scope of influences including R&B, jazz, hip-hop, rock and even spoken word. Comet, her eleventh album, sticks largely with jazz and R&B, and stays consistently groove-filled and soulful all the way through.
Interestingly, the album stars with a Whodini cover of “Friends,” where Ndegeocello swaps out the original electronica for soothing guitars and guides the tune with both rapping and singing. “Good Day Night” follows soon after and keeps the atmosphere quiet with an arid blues tone before getting into the reggae inspired waters of “Forget My Name.” That theme carries over to the title track “Comet, Come To Me,” where keys flow into a tropical, feel good vibe.
In the middle, “Shopping For Jazz” is quite possibly her best run at mainstream success; it’s a pop rock tune with the ever so popular subtle country hint just bleeds radio potential. “Shopping” is also lined up against and one of her most accomplished songs to date and the album highlight, the powerful, upbeat and moving “Conviction.” This tune ensures that if you weren’t a Ndegeocello fan before, you will be now. Near the end, “Modern Time” highlights her ever so skilled bass playing, before exiting on the more straightforward and pensive “American Rhapsody.”
While the music is often majestic, uplifting and soothing in a minimalist sense, the lyrical content is characterized by heartache, tension and grief. Ndegeocello has always had a way of conveying her stories in the most eloquent and often cathartic fashion and that’s no different here. A lovely, sophisticated listen for the longtime fan and new ears, Comet, Come To Me is another exceptional chapter in Ndegeocello’s creative life.
