Garry Tee – Google

Meshell Ndegeocello’s No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin is part polemical call to action for justice, part church service, part tribute to a legendary writer and civil rights activist – No More Water is many things, and it does all of them expertly. This album is a triumph. Ndegeocello plays with the musical touchstones of Baldwin’s heyday – Simone’s stately chords, Marvin Gaye’s sensual ache, the agitated declarations of the Last Poets. It’s easy to become fixated on the thematic content of No More Water, but the sonic variety on offer here really is something to behold. It would be doing a disservice to this epic record to categorise it as a mere tribute to mark the the centenary of Baldwin’s birth, which falls August 2nd, the release date. The inspiration, anger and righteous fury that characterised the author’s work is a jumping-off point for Ndegeocello to explore both the injustices that Baldwin faced and their contemporary parallels. At many points throughout the record, the sonic palettes which Ndegeocello and her band opt for sit in deliberate and stark contrast to the lyrical content. Meshell Ndegeocello’s No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin is beyond just music and more like a sermon for those with ears to hear and hearts to feel. In short, it is hard to imagine hearing this album and not being changed. I certainly am. Notable Tracks: “Love” | “Raise the Roof” | “Thus Sayeth the Lorde” | “Trouble” | “Tsunami”