Tunin Up & Cosignin [Import]

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Die-hard Erykah Badu fans all know that one of her former back-up singers and Dallas, TX, friend -- N'Dambi -- is equally bad. As in awesome. Period.

Less commercial, and perhaps more an original than the quite original Erykah, N'Dambi is arguably the ultimate Neo Soul artist for '70's Jazz-Funk fans. As in this sister's style is so intricate, she's sort of not even Neo Soul. She feels like the real deal from back in the day. From many different, better days.

These are The Six Degrees of N'Dambi, based on her superb, now classic double-CD set from 2002,
Tunin Up & Cosignin...

First Degree: Her raw emotion and adeptness with classic funk rhythms is as finely tuned as Bilal's. In fact, in some way, I consider N'Dambi the female answer to Bilal and wish these two would get together in a studio sometime. But where Bilal takes powerful hip-hop turns, N'Dambi masterfully dives into pure jazz.

Second Degree: That laid-back sound that put Erykah on the map? N'Dambi has this gift, too. They both exude a talent for a sound that says, "I'm way too busy telling you what's up here, pouring out my heart -- and having fun doing it -- to fret singing within the commercial norm." N'Dambi doesn't have a pretentious atom in her voice. Au natural and earthy.

Third Degree: Heavy (and these days rare) use of live studio musicians that jam in the style of Chaka Khan's killer band, Rufus. However, N'Dambi's band throws down serious jazz, too. There's consistently flawless bass work going on, at times reminding me of Ron Carter (the genius behind Badu's Certainly) or the spirited Marcus Miller. (Check out producer Kenneth Crouch's bananas bass in Black Star!!!) The musicanship on this double-CD is simply off the chain.

Fourth Degree: N'Dambi sometimes triggers a double-take with her pared down, plain-truth sound, "neo reincarnating" Nina Simone. (Check out Ode 2 Nina and Crazy World.) I'll even say that her unique interpretation is to purposely go flat and off into tricky keys at times. But it's cool as all get-out! Somewhat like Cassandra Wilson, N'Dambi's fearless about doing her own distinctive thing (in higher octives, though).

Fifth Degree: About that smoking band again... They take to the stratosphere two songs with a jazzy House music beat: Day Dreamer and Call Me. In both songs, the singer gets to the bottom of things. In one, getting deep inside your head to get up and get yours in life; in the other, basically asking, like Roberta Flack, Where Is the Love, baby?

Sixth Degree: With all of the above said, N'Dambi sounds precisely like... no one. Which is exactly why we dig her vibe. True to the meaning of her Muslim name, this sister's work is without a doubt, "most beautiful."

Viqi French

I was a bit skeptical about scooping up this CD as one cat here reviewed it and spoke of her "atrocious" vocals but I got it anyway. Now, I have an idea on why he thought that but I don't think he's well-versed in the art of "scatting." See, in scatting, you can go off key and it not really matter, just as in Jazz one gets to mess around between the more common/expected notes, called a blue note (A flatted note, especially the third or seventh note of a scale, in place of an expected major interval). Well, same thing applies in scatting...you can mess around like that all under artistic license, it's all good. Now..after saying that...

There was a time where she PURPOSELY sang out of key as a joke with her producer and it was documented as being just that from their dialogue after they finished the "riff" of the song.

Ok, now, this double CD is pretty damn strong, folks! This is a nice blend of Jazz and Neo remniscent of Ledisi's "Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue." This is a perfect "Get-together" CD to play as you and your close friends sit back and take in the smoothness of the afternoon as it mellowly swings into the evening. Great production and N'Dambi, as always, delivers the goods vocally. Get this CD, folks. Period.

If you are a fan of Neo Soul or Acid Jazz, this album is for you. Insightful lyrics blessed with live instrumentation mix for a great sound. N'Dambi is one of the most gifted artists on the scene today; it's a shame her albums have been overlooked by the mainstream. Her previous release, Little Lost Girl Blues, was a true Neo Soul masterpiece; and was in my opinion the most slept on album of the last 2 years. Tunin' Up and Cosignin' is a slight departure from the Neo Soul ranks; as N'Dambi explores her Jazz roots. The double disc set starts with a brilliant Nina Simone cover, and continues the vibe with similar jazz pieces. Although the bulk of both discs is previous material, she deftly breathes new life into it with infectious grooves from her band. One gets a sense that these artists play solely for the love of the music. Most of the songs are uptempo, intermixed with a few slower grooves, but the blend is captivating. I HIGHLY recommend purchasing this album, and if you can find it, her first album, Little Lost Girls Blues. You won't be disappointed!