Elliptical

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY JUL 27, 2015

In this uneven biography, Akinyele explores the career of American funk and soul singer and musician Meshell Ndegeocello, who has been performing for 20 years. According to the author, Ndegeocello has resisted being boxed into commercial concepts. In this examination of her work, Akinyele and O'Bergh dissect Meshell's discography and talk about their experiences of her albums and what her work has meant to them. These two fans are both professional musicians who look at Ndegeocello's work as both the expression of her as an evolving artist and a queer icon. While they do not get the opportunity to interview Ndegeocello themselves, they speculate on her motives and processes based on interviews they have read and their own personal experiences. This personal connection to the music is both the only appealing part of this book and the most difficult part for readers. While some might find the journeys of other fans fascinating, most will simply want more details about the musician herself. The writing structure is a little confusing as it moves between the co-authors. A reader has to be very dedicated to see this through. (BookLife)