For years, the Temple Bar has been the performance epicenter for Urban Alternative and beyond on the west side – smack dab in the middle of don’t-get-too-ethnic-ville. Last Thursday they hosted two diverse artists for the discerning hipster – Space-Funk Diva Sy Smith, and the Genius Eclectic Iconoclast Meshell NdegeOcello.

Sy brought her ‘Fa Sho’–ness with a slammin’ nine-piece band. The performance was to celebrate the re-release of her CD The Cyberspace Social and new DVD – I’m sold. Sy’s vocal dexterity and song-writing skills enable her to take an old swing rhythm and transform it into a head noddin’ anthem of bump. From the opening number of ‘Fa Sho’ you felt Sy embrace the audience, inviting them to ride the waves of delight in her “Cyberspace Social”.

Adorned with an auburn wig “because hair is an accessory”, and an ever-present smile, Sy’s crystal-clear vocals manipulated clever, and positive lyrics with a joyful oddity. I would have been surprised at her poise had I not known that she has collaborated with many top acts (including Meshell) and been writing, performing, and producing for many years. In a world of fear and angst, or at best sublime indifference, Sy implores us to not only acknowledge one another and our differences, but to relish them.

After Sy’s performance, the lights were brought down low and you knew it was time for Meshell…

Meshell is the most underrated artist out today. Period. Not many can play with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Cassandra Wilson, Chaka Khan, John Mellencamp, Lamb, Scritti Politti, Madonna, and the Basement Jaxx while sounding at home each time. Meshell can do Folk, Jazz, R&B, Soul, Pop, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Ska, Punk, Rock and Metal – WELL – and without missing a beat. Last Thursday she showcased her “harder” side by throwing down a nasty amalgamation of Ska, Metal, Rock, and Punk fused with her patented brand of Soul to give it a certain warmth and sophistication.

Meshell donned the stage in a black skullcap and sweatshirt, supported by bass, drums and guitar. She meant business. As the bass bathed your senses, and the tide of rhythm swelled, it was clear that her intent was not to overpower you (at least not from the beginning) but to seep into you with her revolving motives. Meshell wants you to feel her first, viscerally, as if you’re inside a womb, naked and raw. Against the backdrop of her Art Rock opening she offered a Blues and Gospel lament, “I’m not perfect/We all fall from Grace…” her vulnerable, self-reflective lyrics suggests a strength as well as an inner struggle to come to terms with who she is and what she does; there was pain in her music. Her 1999 release ‘Bitter’ was probably the apex of this for her so far.

However, despite this sensitivity it is quite clear that Meshell is angry – and I’m not mad at that. Certain numbers would carry you in a low tide of bass and melody before brilliantly thrusting you into scrap metal yards of blasted beats, riffs, and chord changes. It is no secret how disenchanted Meshell has been with the music industry and record companies. Because she is so talented, and possesses such a high level of skill, the remedial music industry today (headed by businessmen and not artists, mind you) simply doesn’t know what to do with her – let alone allow her to be who she is and create freely. Meshell has always been unapologetic of her sexual freedom (which is one of the reasons I love her) in an attempt to emancipate herself from the shackles of the “isms”. She has received criticism from the straight and lesbian communities as a result. Consequently, I believe that some of this bitterness has unfortunately spilled onto her music fan-base. Her last EP, the Rock influenced ‘Article 3’, was only released in Europe. I have read blog after blog of frustrations from US fans over this. During this particular performance Meshell played with her back to the crowd at times, and sometimes almost in complete darkness. She suffers from epilepsy, which can be triggered by blinking lights and therefore explains the darkness.

Yet, the murkiness and the Miles Davis back-to-the-audience-play would not have bothered me if I felt that she attempted to give something back to the audience; that she made an effort to connect. I have seen Meshell about half a dozen times throughout the years (as she is one my most favorite artists of all time) but this is by far the most disconnected that I have seen her appear. It would have been great if the fans knew WHY there was to be no flash photography. I understand the effectiveness of a stripped down set and theatrics, but if you are going to go that route then there has to be a focus, a purpose, a destination. At times it seemed as though she was trying out new songs - starting, stopping, continuing as if the audience wasn’t there with little or no eye contact given – and the show meandered. A great performance is largely synergistic with the artist feeding the audience, and the audience giving back in a reciprocal romance. Meshell is simply too seasoned an artist not to know what she is doing, so it leads you to believe that she just doesn’t care. I hope this is not the case.

I won’t be so presumptuous in claiming to know the struggles that artists of her caliber go through. I’m sure it is difficult, as you are being pulled in a million different directions all the while trying to “sing your song”. However, after Thursday night it was clear that she is working through something. And for her sake, as well as the fans, I truly hope that she is able to pull through it. Meshell NdegeOcello is one of the greatest artists of this generation whose ingenuity places her alongside Bjork. It frustrates me that she receives a tenth of the critical acclaim as the Icelandic artist.

But, whatever you do don’t stop, Meshell. The industry needs you; the fans need you... those gay, lesbian, bi, or straight souls that are simply trying to be free need you as an example of how to spread their wings. And, the record industry may not love you, but the fans do… try leaning on them and you’ll find out how much.

Peace, Sista.

By Cazembe Abena

Meshell NdegeOcello – www.freemyheart.com

Sy Smith – www.sysmith.com