The Omnichord Real Book
by Meshell Ndegeocello
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User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
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  1. StevenX
    Jun 27, 2023
    8
    Meshell Ndegeocello has been all over the place musically since her debut, from funky pop to jazzy folk funk to poppy jazz to.... well, you get it. She does it all on one album here, and sometimes all in one song. Styles overlap, layer and devolve; backing vocals glide over each other like spirits flying by; ambience is blown open by percussive twists. At times the arrangements are soMeshell Ndegeocello has been all over the place musically since her debut, from funky pop to jazzy folk funk to poppy jazz to.... well, you get it. She does it all on one album here, and sometimes all in one song. Styles overlap, layer and devolve; backing vocals glide over each other like spirits flying by; ambience is blown open by percussive twists. At times the arrangements are so intricate that not only can you not predict where they're going, you wonder for a few seconds here and there if everyone is playing the same song. They are. "Everything is under control," Ndegeocello assures us during the blissful, folky "Call The Tune", and she's right. While some pieces leave you wanting more (seven tracks are under three minutes long), others fill you up with a spiritual rhythm workout or take you on a cinematic flight into the ether (the beauty of "Gatsby" will stay with you despite being a cover). It's a sign of Meshell's soulful artistry that she doesn't pander to any set group of fans: this is all her world, and if you want to come along you are welcome. If you don't, it's a shame, because this album and this artist is so full of art, joy, pain and discovery that don't often come in one amazing package like this.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. PopMatters
    Sep 20, 2023
    80
    This new recording from MeShell Ndegeocello has her in that role — making her guests sound better, sometimes dominating a track, and always creating a mood around the music that puts rhythm, harmony, and melody in delicious orbits. Even the tracks that don’t contain a vocal, like “Omnipuss”, are arresting. It puts a spell on you.
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  2. Pitchfork
    Jun 22, 2023
    78
    The Omnichord Real Book is no less assertive, yet feels energized by grace and understanding.
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  3. Exclaim
    Jun 20, 2023
    80
    Condensing her struggles into meditative lyrics and singing from the perspective of fictional characters, this is a jazz project in its purest and most unadulterated form, and a very solid start to Ndegeocello's tenure at Blue Note.
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