Bitter (CD - 1999)

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).

Principally recorded at Mad Dog Studios, Burbank, California.

Bitter is an appropriate title for Me'Shell Ndegéocello's third album. Inspired by a torturous romantic relationship, Bitter surges with emotions, and most of them are shaded with regret, remorse, or bitterness. Undoubtedly, the relationship was painful, but it has given Ndegéocello an artistic focus missing on her two previous albums. It provides a sorrowful, meditative emotional template that she matches with moody, slow songs that flow into each other. It's the kind of album that demands close listening, otherwise it has the tendency to fade into the background. For some listeners, concentrated listening may be a little difficult, given the bleak emotions of the music, but Ndegéocello's subtle songcraft truly reveals itself upon close inspection. And, with repeated plays, Bitter reveals itself as the most personal -- and in many ways, most rewarding -- album of her career. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

"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. minimize