MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO

Meshell Ndegeocello is one of those rare artists who have won a large fan-base by simply following her muse wherever it leads--which in her case has been innovative, challenging, striking and often surprising directions. In the twelve years since her debut release, the singer/songwriter, bassist, and producer has taken a different musical direction with virtually every recording. Her latest project, Dance Of The Infidel (to be released on Shanachie Entertainment June 21, 2005) showcases her Spirit Music Jamia ensemble, a stunning all-star vehicle that plays spiritual groove music--music for free minds, open hearts and shaking behinds! This new recording project features such notable artists as Cassandra Wilson, Miles Davis-alum Jack DeJohnette, Kenny Garrett, Lalah Hathaway, Oliver Lake, Don Byron, Sabina (The Brazilian Girls vocalist), Ron Blake and more, as well as Meshell herself as musical director, bassist and composer. Dance Of The Infidel is destined to be one of 2005's landmark events in music, a beacon of originality, musicianship and spiritual feeling in an often bleak contemporary landscape dominated by musical mediocrity.