Photo: Charlie Gross

On October 2, Meshell Ndegeocello will release her third album with Blue Note. Synonym finds the artist interpreting a range of compositions through Ndegeocello’s signature voice. She offers, “This project is about classic songs that are known and loved. The songs have diverse tones, representing various genres and intentional grooves. But the album is also about joy, selfhood, individual representation, and universal experience.”

As for the album’ title, she reflects that it “just feels good on the mouth. That’s how humans are. Regardless of our differences, deep down we essentially want the same things: healthy food and a safe place to live. We are all different. But at the core of the human condition, we are the same.”

The guest players on the album reflect the range of material that Ndegeocello has opted to curate on Synonym. The roster of musicians includes: Chaka Khan, Cynthia Erivo, Chris Thile, Robert Glasper, Brandi Carlile, Cat Power, Laura Lee, Bill Callahan and Madison Cunningham. Meanwhile, Ndegeocello has enlisted a stellar the core cast of instrumentalists, many of whom have worked with her before, such as:  Abe Rounds and Deantoni Parks (drums), Chris Bruce (guitar) Larry Goldings, Jake Sherman and Jebin Bruni (keys), Bela Fleck (banjo), Josh Johnson and Levon Henry (sax) and Elena Pinderhughes (flute).

The first song released from the album is a version of “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” which was originally recorded by Aretha Franklin and George Michael.

Synonym tracklisting:

1. I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) with Cynthia Erivo
2. Don’t You Want Me with Cat Power
3. Don’t Stop The Music with Nick Hakim, Robert Glasper
4. Islands In The Stream with Chaka Khan
5. It Ain’t Me Babe with Madison Cunningham
6. Always on Time with Laura Lee
7. Be Real Black For Me with Emily King, Lizz Wright
8. Don’t Look Any Further with Lianne La Havas
9. The Closer I Get To You with Destin Conrad, Moses Sumney
10. Golden Ring with Brandi Carlile
11. I Got You Babe with ANOHNI
12. Here We Come (Here He Comes) with Evann McIntosh
13. Guilty with Ink
14. Hunger Strike with WILLOW
15. With God On Our Side with Bill Callahan, Chris Thile