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35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enter the "Comfort" Zone., October 16, 2003
This review is from: Comfort Woman (Mcup) (Audio CD)
When you hear the term "independent women," chances are you'll think of Destiny's Child. But few in music are more deserving of the title than Meshell Ndegeocello, who artfully dodges trends and dances to the beat of her own groove. Since her debut "Plantation Lullabies," Ndegeocello has released a series of albums that specialize in deep-fried funk with probing lyrics. She continues that trend on her fifth (and possibly final for Maverick/Warner Brothers) effort: "Comfort Woman." It's not as politically charged as 2002's "Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape," nor does it ascend to the heights of the stunning "Peace Beyond Passion," but that doesn't mean "Comfort Woman" should be ignored. On her newest joint, Meshell serves up the usual platter of underground soul, with a dash of reggae and a Prince-inspired melange of rock and funk. The disc gets off to a rather slow burn during the first half, with gems like "Love Song #2" and "Come Smoke My Herb," which works mainly to its funky bassline and laid back beat. But things really do pick up on the second half, thanks to the reggaefied "Fellowship," and the sensual slow jam "Love Song #3," which recalls "Sign O the Times"-era Prince. Thematically, "Comfort Woman" is the polar opposite of a previous disc: "Bitter." The latter album was a crushing effort that dwelled on the pain of a breakup, while "Woman" is more upbeat, positive in tone, and has songs that explore the possibility of true love. In an age where prefabricated pop and soul is all the rage, it's good to know that there are talented people like Meshell who make music about passion and WITH passion. As with any of her releases, "Comfort Woman" is the work of a rare and underrated talent.
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Soulful, slow, funky and her best to date, October 14, 2003
This review is from: Comfort Woman (Mcup) (Audio CD)
Meshell NdegeOcello does what Jill Scott did with her first two records a few years back: gives us the best R&B record of the year two years in a row. If I could give it 6 stars, I would. This new offering is a taught 10 tracks and there isn't a bad track in the set. If you've been rocking the pre-release tracks for a few weeks now, rest assured that the rest of the album maintains the vibe of "Andromeda & The Milky Way" (a drum-stuttering whine of a slow jam) and continues to take the chances associated with the reggae-infused "Love Song #1". Meshell has always been an incredible ballad composer, and this album barely gets above the pace of a martini shake, so you'll likely find yourself sitting back in the cut listening to this one instead of dancing along with it. She caters to ALL of her strengths here: the intricate and more-than-alive bass lines; the emphatic lyrics that cajole, teach and bind; the sampled-and-manipulated ear candy out of nowhere; the utter and diabolical sensuality of tone and hugging arrangements. It's easily her most consistent album to date, and because of the unifying let's-chill theme and vibration informing her already frighteningly incredible abilities, makes this her most mature and intricate record to date...as well as her best. If "Love Song #1" or "Love Song #2" don't do it for you, call a doctor. You're not only dead, but un-loved.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Queen of Love, October 18, 2003
This review is from: Comfort Woman (Mcup) (Audio CD)
I have been listening to Meshell Ndegeocello for a long time and I must say that there is no one who can do a love song like Meshell. I could listen to her sing about love all day. Don't get me wrong, I also love to her sing/speak about racism, sexism, homophobia, religious hipocracy, sense of self, etc. Anyone can write a song, but Meshell has a way of taking a love song to a whole new level. She can make you feel whatever she is feeling. "Love Song #1" is magic. I can't get enough of that one. Words can't express the beauty and the power this song has...one of my all time favorites from her. "Andromeda and the Milky Way" is amazing, along with "Good Intentions", and "Thankful". The whole album is fantastic. This album represents what we all need more of in our lives...love, inner peace, understanding, and more love.
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