Promise of a Brand New Day (feat. Meshell Ndegeocello)

Promise of a Brand New Day (feat. Meshell Ndegeocello)

Ruthie Foster may be regularly nominated for Best Blues Album GRAMMYs, but her music is an elusive mix of gospel, blues, and soul that’s most importantly about brightening the human spirit. No one would call the acoustic-based “Complicated Love” a blues song, but it clearly comes from a place of similar empathy. Foster requested Meshell Ndegeocello produce this fine album, and together they explore a number of approaches. Ndegeocello gathers her best musicians to form the perfect backing band, while deliberately pushing Foster’s vocals upfront. On bass, Ndegeocello locks in with drummer Ivan Edwards, while guitarist Chris Bruce (Sheryl Crow), keyboardist Jebin Bruni (Aimee Mann), and backing vocalist Nayanna Holley flesh out the sound. “Singing the Blues” recalls a laid-back Memphis groove that’s further mined on the William Bell collaboration “It Might Not Be Right.” Doyle Bramhall II guests on guitar for the blues-rocker “Let Me Know.” Singer Toshi Reagon joins Foster on the acoustic folk ballad “New.”

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