New Music: Meshell Ndegeocello - 'Be My Husband'

Singer-musician Meshell Ndegeocello has rarely done conventional things musically. With the exception of her 1993 debut single, "If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)" and her 1994 duet with John Mellencamp, "Wild Night," her entire career has virtually been a series of critically acclaimed, yet commercially unsuccessful albums and songs, many of which deal with sensitive subjects like prostitution, domestic abuse, religious faith and abandonment. So considering her eclectic history, it's almost surprising that she's going to be doing something as fairly normal as releasing a tribute album soon. In fact, it's almost like she's following the trend of the moment, considering how another R&B/Soul artist, Leela James, is coincidentally releasing a tribute album of her own next week, honoring the life and legacy of jazz legend Etta James. Meshell's upcoming project is somewhat similar, but in her case, it's a different jazz legend, Nina Simone, whose songs are being covered. The album's title Pour Une Ame Souveraine, which is French for "For a Sovereign Soul," is a nod to Nina's spending the final 10 years of her life in France, starting in 1993. Among the songs covered on the album are "Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," "House of the Rising Sun" and "To Be Young, Gifted and Black." Meshell will be joined by a number of guest performers at points on the album, including Sinead O'Connor, Cody ChesnuTT and Lizz Wright. Here's a little taste of the album to whet your appetite: a spirited version of one of Nina's best-known songs, "Be My Husband," which features vocalist Valerie June. You can stream it via the link below.

• "Be My Husband" feat. Valerie June audio stream
• Artist Bio: Meshell Ndegeocello