Me'Shell Ndege'Ocello Bitter CD

"Unless you've tasted the bitter, you can't appreciate the sweet," says singer/songwriter Me'Shell Ndegeocello. BITTER, her third release for Maverick Records, finds the multi-talented artist pointing her career in new and bold directions. The new album touches points of faith, love, loyalty, beauty, and grace. Working with noted producer Craig Street, Ndegeocello welcomed a large host of guest musicians to contribute to the album including Wendy & Lisa, Ronnie Drayton, and Abe LaBoriel, Jr.

Notable tracks include "Satisfy" (with its sweet-sounding guitars and strings), "Sincerity," and "Beautiful," as well as the album's two instrumental tracks, "Adam" and "Eve." Also included is "May This Be Love," a lesser-known Jimi Hendrix song that Ndegeocello reworks into a charming arrangement, complete with Fender Rhodes piano and a psychedelic string section.

Principally recorded at Mad Dog Studios, Burbank, California.

Personnel: Me'Shell NdegeOcello (vocals, bass); Doyle Bramhall II, Joe Henry, Lisa Coleman, Wendy Melvoin, Abe Laboriel Jr., Chris Bruce, Greg Leisz, David Torn, Ronny Drayton, Danny Sadownick, Biti Straug, Arif St. Michael, Joe Henry, Sandra Park, Sharon Yamata, Alan Stepansky, Robert Rinehart (various instruments).

Rolling Stone (8/5/99, pp.66-7) - 3 1/2 stars (out of 5) - "...could conceivably become a cult item, even a major hit....the melodies steadily gain resonance as the arrangements flower out into a jazzlike responsiveness..."
Entertainment Weekly (9/3/99, p.69) - "...[Me'Shell's] misery has resulted in a stunning set of tough and tender sob stories....Bitter never tasted so sweet." - Rating: A
Q (11/99, pp.128-30) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...a more acoustic-based, pared-down sound....With its clipped, one-word songtitles and slightly sombre style, this is a very adult record with an oddly soothing effect..."
Vibe (9/99, p.264) - "...An impressionistic, rhythmic musicalization of that extended lost weekend....original, provocative, and...brilliant....BITTER is Album of the Year."
Mojo (Publisher) (10/99, p.124) - "...proves she can do the confessional, singer-songwriterly thing too. BITTER is a passage of rites from an unsatisfying relationship into a mere enriching one....admirers of anyone from Nina Samone to John Martyn could be converted rapturously."