Music for those easy-going Sundays

German-born American musician Meshell Ndegeocello shines on her new album The Omnichord Real Book where she blends jazz and funk, giving the record a vintage yet original twist.

Starting with “Georgia Ave,” upon the first listen the audience is taken back to the days of the Harlem Renaissance. The saxophone entangles itself with the bass of the drums, like the ’70s have been resurrected, it is a powerful opening track that gives the listener a taste of what’s to come. Ndegeocello has the gift of creating a specific atmosphere built on tranquility and ease.

On the song “Call the Tune” the only lyrics presented are “everything is under control.” Once again the saxophone is the main character creating a peaceful zen paired with an acoustic guitar that makes the listener sink deeper into themselves almost like a meditation practice, creating a world of undisturbed harmony. The spoken word-esque tune “Clear Water” has themes of control and resilience in the lyrics such as “don’t be fooled by the myth of control, be at peace within the chaos.” Jeff Parker, a multifaceted guitarist who has been working in the industry since the ’90s, plays as a sort of narrator guiding the listener in this spiritual record.

“Vuma” is the highlight of the album with a heavy influence from the African genre afrobeats Thandiswa Nyameka Mazwai, a South African-born vocalist, graces the upbeat tune with lyrics sung in her native South African tongue. Partnered with the famous jazz artist Joel Ross, “Vuma” creates a vibe that takes listeners to places far from the Western world, the twist of psychedelia gives the song a fresh, original touch.

The Omnichord Real Book is a hidden gem, Meshell Ndegocellos’s ability to easily blend genres and create her own world is beyond impressive. Listeners will appreciate that each track is different from the next giving a personal perspective of Ndegocello’s artistic expression. The Omnichord Real Book is an album that feels like a cup of coffee and a good book, an exemplary viewpoint of spirituality.