Me'Shell Ndege'Ocello Peace Beyond Passion CD

PEACE BEYOND PASSION was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.

On her second album, Me'Shell NdegeOcello continues to use a seamless blend of funk, jazz, rap and soul as a bed for her sociosexual observations. There's a spiritual bent, as well, to PEACE BEYOND PASSION, in songs that take on racism, homophobia and other societal ills. The centerpieces of the album are three songs named for books of the Bible: "Deuteronomy: Niggerman," "Ecclesiastes: Free My Heart" and "Leviticus: Faggot."

The music is less hip-hop-oriented than that on her debut, PLANTATION LULLABIES, and fleshed-out with heavier jazz nuances and '70s funk shadings. It's helped along in those directions by saxophonist Joshua Redman (he played on the debut, too) and one-time Prince guitarist Wendy Melvoin. Their interplay with NdegeOcello, who swings confidently on bass, blurs many musical lines. NdegeOcello adds a Curtis Mayfield soul spin to a version of Bill Withers' "Who Is He And And What Is He To You," the one cover song here. Chunks of wah-wah guitar juice the beat along, while Paul Riser's aggressive string arrangement and Billy Preston's organ ensure the authenticity of this reading.

Personnel: Me'Shell Ndegéocello (guitar, percussion, drum programming); Wendy Melvoin (guitar, acoustic guitar); Wah Wah Watson (guitar, wah-wah guitar); David Fiuczynski, Allen Cato (guitar); Bennie Maupin (bass clarinet); Joshua Redman (saxophone, tenor saxophone, horns); Federico Pena (Fender Rhodes piano, percussion); Billy Preston (organ); David Gamson (drums, drum programming); Gene Lake (drums); Daniel Sadownick, Luis Conte (percussion).

Audio Mixer: Bob Power.

Recording information: Alpha Studios; Conway Studios; David Gamson Studios; David Gemson Studios; Ocean Way Studios; RPM Studios; Sunset sound Factory.

Photographer: Guzman/Rotterdam Conservatory Orquesta Tipica.

Arrangers: David Gamson; Me'Shell Ndegéocello; Wendy Melvoin.

Personnel includes: Me'Shell NdegeOcello (vocals, various instruments); Wendy Melvoin (acoustic guitar, guitar); Wah Wah Watson (acoustic & electric guitars); Allen Cato, David Fiuczynski (guitar); Bennie Maupin (bass clarinet); Joshua Redman (tenor saxophone, saxophone, horns); Federico Gonzalez Pena (Fender Rhodes electric piano, percussion); Billy Preston (organ); Oliver Gene Lake (drums); David Gamson (drums, drum programming); Daniel Sadownick, Luis Conte (percussion).

Engineers: Rail Jon Rogut, David Gamson, Charles Nasser (tracks 1-3, 5-12); Michael Krowiak (track 4).

Rolling Stone (7/11-25/96, p.86) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...a concept album whose protagonist is bloodied and bruised when we meet her--but not broken....NdegeOcello is the ultimate hopeless romantic. Even though racism, homophobia, self-hatred and social ostracism dog her spirit, she still croons sweetly to a lover in 'A Tear And A Smile'..."
Q (7/96, p.120) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...In spirit, her decade of choice is the 1960's, although her music often takes its cues from early-'70s, laid-back soul, her voice dropping into a sassy rap almost as much as it sings..."
JazzTimes (10/96, p.81) - "...this album's most affecting moments come when she slows things down..."
The Source (8/96, p.102) - "...NdegeOcello doesn't write to entertain or entice the listener....you are welcome to enter her cypher...but you must interpret for delf....one of the best mixes of funk, jazz, R&B and poetry served on a religious platter..."
Village Voice (2/25/97) - Ranked #18 in the Village Voice's 1996 Pazz & Jop Critics' Poll.
NME (Magazine) (6/22/96, p.50) - 6 (out of 10) - "...a classy combination of Herbie Hancock jazz, George Clinton funk, and Stevie Wonder soul....Me'Shell['s]...silken, soulful tones slip from sauce to spirituality with quite a dizzying frequency..."