Ventriloquism
Meshell Ndegeocello · 2018
53 min · 11 tracks · hip-hop
A lush tapestry of reimagined R&B classics infused with Meshell Ndegeocello's soulful interpretations and innovative arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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I Wonder If I Take You Home Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Waterfalls — This track exemplifies Ndegeocello's ability to infuse a haunting quality into a classic while maintaining its poignant message about life choices and consequences.
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Sometimes It Snows in April — Her rendition transforms this Prince classic into an introspective meditation on loss and nostalgia, showcasing Ndegeocello's emotional depth.
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Private Dancer — Ndegeocello’s version recontextualizes the original story, imbuing it with a sense of empowerment that contrasts with its more conventional interpretations.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album creatively reinterprets classic R&B tracks, showcasing strong arrangements but varying cohesion across its runtime.
What we noticed
- The album features reimagined versions of eleven R&B classics, each with distinct arrangements that highlight Ndegeocello's vocal and instrumental interpretations.
- Tracks often include unexpected tempo changes and instrumentation, such as the use of strings and electronic elements alongside traditional R&B sounds.
- Several songs incorporate spoken word segments or narrative elements, creating a conversational tone that contrasts with the original tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- introspective late-night vibes
- soothing background ambiance
- reflective and emotional journeys
- immersive listening experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases Meshell's continued evolution and creativity in her later career.
- Themes
- R&B nostalgia· Prince's legacy· empowerment reimagined
- Career context
- When Ventriloquism was released in 2018, Meshell Ndegeocello was navigating a creative resurgence. This album followed her 2014 release, Comet, Come to Me, showcasing her continued evolution as an artist who blends genres like soul, jazz, and hip-hop while paying homage to iconic songs from the past.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Erykah Badu· Lauryn Hill· Robert Glasper
Tracklist
- 1 I Wonder If I Take You Home Start here 4:43
- 2 Nite and Day 4:59
- 3 Sometimes It Snows in April 7:05
- 4 Waterfalls 4:34
- 5 Atomic Dog 2017 6:27
- 6 Sensitivity 3:43
- 7 Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun) 4:33
- 8 Tender Love 2:41
- 9 Don’t Disturb This Groove 4:37
- 10 Private Dancer 4:50
- 11 Smooth Operator (Meshell Ndegeocello version) 5:17
What to play next
The Omnichord Real Book
2023
It continues the exploration of innovative arrangements and soulful interpretations.
Pour une Âme Souveraine: A Dedication to Nina Simone
2012
This album shares a tribute theme, setting a reflective tone before Ventriloquism.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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