User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
- Record Label: Blue Note
- Release Date: Aug 2, 2024
- Summary: The latest full-length release from jazz artist Meshell Ndegeocello is a tribute to James Baldwin and features contributions from such artists as Hilton Als, Jebin Bruni, Staceyann Chin, Justin Hicks, Josh Johnson, Kenita Miller-Hicks, Julius Rodriguez, Abe Rounds, and Jake Sherman.
Buy Now
| Buy on |
|
- Record Label: Blue Note
- Genre(s): Jazz
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
-
Positive: 7 out of 7
-
Mixed: 0 out of 7
-
Negative: 0 out of 7
-
Aug 2, 2024This scathingly provocative, intense work is overwhelming to digest in one listen. It well could become a landmark recording.
-
Aug 2, 2024Baldwin's words are woven into eight of the 17 tracks, whether sung by the pained if undaunted Justin Hicks on the rippling funk of "On the Mountain," or recited by Jamaican poet and activist Staceyann Chin on "Baldwin Manifesto I" and "Baldwin Manifesto II." The pieces that don't quote Baldwin are often equally charged, freighted with anguish.
-
Aug 2, 2024Full of wonderful words though it is, the album ultimately confirms Baldwin’s conviction that nothing is more eloquent about what lives behind them than music.
-
Aug 2, 2024No More Water is no straightforward listen, but one that jolts and inspires in equal measure.
-
MojoAug 6, 2024Like Baldwin, Ndegeocello isn’t one to look away, but both are generous enough and have the artistic skills to let you walk a mile in their shoes. [Sep 2024, p.87]
-
The WireOct 22, 2024To say the album is all over the place musically is both understatement and compliment. .... No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin is revolutionary fire music – but it’s also a celebration, a party held in honour of a man who did so much, expecting nothing in return. [Oct 2024, p.57]
-
UncutAug 2, 2024There are several lengthy, furious, deliberately alienating diatribes from the Jamaican feminist poet Staceyann Chin, whole sections in French and Steve Reich-style phase-shifting sound collages. All of this does a slight disservice to some excellent songs. [Sep 2024, p.37]