Bassist and contemporary jazz icon Meshell Ndegeocello is coming back with a new record. Synonym, out October 2 on Blue Note, and sees the artist returning to her covers mode. Her first covers effort since 2018's Grammy-nominated Ventriloquism, the new LP finds Ndegeocello working alongside a large and eclectic cast of collaborators.

The first single – a take on Aretha Franklin and George Michael's “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” – is out now, and features Cynthia Erivo. Listen:

“This project is an expression of queer liberation as a synonym for liberation of all kinds,” says Ndegeocello of the new project. She continues:

“The queer community claimed me when others didn’t and for a long time that felt too far away from other communities to which I belong but now I recognize the ways in which it all overlaps. Once again, I went back to my elders: Audre Lorde told us that there is no single issue struggle. Similarly, these arrangements are synonyms for their originals – these different sounds still mean the same thing.”

She adds that the tracklist here consists of “classic songs that…have diverse tones, representing various genres and intentional grooves.” The songs, notably, have largely been covered before, often many times over the years. But anyone familiar with Ndgeocello's art knows she isn't usually content to simply sing karaoke.

Find the rollcall of collaborators down below.

Synonym is out October 2. Preorder here. Full tracklist:

1. I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) [ft. Cynthia Erivo]
2. Don’t You Want Me [ft. Cat Power]
3. Don’t Stop The Music [ft. Nick Hakim, Robert Glasper]
4. Islands In The Stream [ft. Chaka Khan]
5. It Ain't Me Babe [ft. Madison Cunningham]
6. Always on Time [ft. Laura Lee]
7. Be Real Black For Me [ft. Emily King, Lizz Wright]
8. Don’t Look Any Further [ft. Lianne La Havas]
9. The Closer I Get To You [ft. Destin Conrad, Moses Sumney]
10 Golden Ring [ft. Brandi Carlile]
11. I Got You Babe [ft. ANOHNI]
12. Here We Come (Here He Comes) [ft. Evann McIntosh]
13. Guilty [ft. Ink]
14. Hunger Strike [ft. Willow]
15. With God On Our Side [ft. Bill Callahan, Chris Thile]