Meshell Ndegeocello has announced the release of a brand new album, No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin, slated for release on Friday, August 2 on the Centennial of the lauded writer and activist James Baldwin, best known for his works The Fire Next Time, If Beale Street Could Talk, and Giovanni’s Room.

The album is described as “a prophetic musical odyssey that transcends boundaries and genres, delving headfirst into race, sexuality, religion, and other recurring themes explored in Baldwin’s canon.” The album is a musical experience, a church service, a celebration, a testimonial, and a call to action all at once.

Three singles have been released in anticipation of the August 2 release, “Travel”, “Love” and “Thus Sayeth the Lorde.” Accompanied with “Travel” is the spoken word piece “Raise the Roof”, performed by Jamaican-American poet Staceyann Chin.

Nearly a decade in the making, No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin came to life during a 2016 tour stop at The Harlem Stage Gatehouse as part of their annual showcase honoring Baldwin. Ndegeocello had been immersing herself into Baldwin’s work, including the seminal text The Fire Next Time, which serves as one of the main inspirations for the album. “It was just a revelation to me,” says Ndegeocello, “And it softened my heart in so many ways.”

Co-produced by Ndegeocello and guitarist Chris Bruce, the album also features frequent collaborators Justin Hicks, Kenita Miller-Hicks, Josh Johnson, Jebin Bruni, Abe Rounds, Jake Sherman, and Julius Rodriguez, as well as powerful spoken word performances by poet and activist Staceyann Chin and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Hilton Als.

This is Ndegeocello’s 14th studio effort and her second album with Blue Note Records. No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin is the follow-up to 2023’s The Omnichord Real Book, Ndegeocello’s debut release with Blue Note which won the inaugural GRAMMY Award for Best Alternative Jazz Album earlier this year.

Most recently, Ndegeocello performed songs from the album on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert as part of their Black Music Month celebrations. Ndegeocello will be celebrating the album release as the headliner for the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn Festival on August 2 followed by a American-European tour from August to December.

No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin comes out August 2 via Blue Note Records.