Meshell Ndegeocello opens the lid on her self-contained world

Meshell Ndegeocello opens the lid on her self-contained world Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of the artist Courtesy of the artist Realness is a root position in The Omnichord Real Book, Meshell Ndegeocello's expansive yet interior new album. Ndegeocello, whose father was an accomplished saxophonist in U.S. Army bands, tends to hold the word "jazz" at arm's length — yet there's a reason she turns to this touchstone now. Along with frequent collaborators like guitarist Chris Bruce and drummer Deantoni Parks, the album features guests like Jeff Parker, whose electric guitar weaves through the shape-shifting journey of "ASR"; Ambrose Akinmusire, who provides both a multi-tracked trumpet chorus and an artfully smeary solo on "Burn Progression"; Joel Ross, who exercises judicious restraint with his vibraphone filigree on "Towers"; and Justin Hicks, Kenita Miller-Hicks and Jade Hicks, a family trio that performs as The HawtPlates, deepening a Prince-like glow on "The 5th Dimension." "Don't be fooled by the myth of control," intones the artist Sanford Biggers at the top of "Clear Water," as Ndegeocello's bass line kicks in.