Podcast: Play in new window
Today, I’m sharing a phone conversation with songwriter and vocalist, N’Dambi. Once recognized as a background vocalist for Erykah Badu (the one with the afro!), N’Dambi not only performed vocals but also co-wrote with Erykah, as well as several artists in the Dallas music scene. We discuss the making of her latest independent EP originally released in Japan (now available on eMusic here in the States), A Weird Kinda Wonderful, as well as her upcoming CD, Pink Elephant on the new Stax Records label. 
She’ll soon be performing two shows in Dallas, including an exclusive solo concert performance for the kickoff of Honey Entertainment’s “Sweet Sensation” on July 4th. Be sure to click the picture flyer to get more information on the “Sweet Sensation” event, especially if you looking for great live music and socializing with other LGBT people in the D/FW metroplex.
N’Dambi played the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and their website had this to say about:
While collaborating with Badu definitely proved a step in the right direction, N’dambi had her own muse to follow and released her first project, the jazzy soul Little Lost Girls Blues (1999) independently on her own label Cheeky-i Productions. She became known as a pioneer in the indie soul movement and developed a loyal cult-like following in the States and abroad. She followed-up with the second indie set Tunin’ Up & CoSignin’ (2001), a stirring double cd with more of a raw soul/funk aesthetic which went on to be licensed in the Europe and lead to N’dambi’s inclusion on twelve (12) compilations worldwide as well as features on Universal France artist Jean-Jacques Milteau’s Blue 3rd (Daddy’s Gone and Only the Lonely Knows), Narada Records group Down to the Bones’ Spread Love Like Wildfire (single – Angel Baby) and Hidden Beach Recording artists Jeff Bradshaw’s Bone Deep (Ms. Celies’ Blues and True Love) and Keite Young’s The Rise and Fall of Keite Young (single – If We Were Alone). Her next project A Weird Kind of Wonderful, released exclusively in Japan, is an eclectic mix of pop, soul and rock. On this collection of straight-no-chaser aural snapshots, N’dambi peels off the layers to share her soulful vocal instrument, rock-chick attitude, pop songcraft, and playful bravado. Each project has received international recognition resulting in high profile festival and club performances throughout the United States, England, Holland, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, France, Japan, Tanzania and Uganda.
More N’Dambi: www.ndambionline.com and www.myspace.com/ndambi
As for the track that opens the show:
Plastic Operator
“Peppermint” (mp3)
from “Peppermint – EP”
(Fine Day Records)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Napster
More On This Album
I had the great pleasure of meeting N’Dambi in 01 when Tunin’ In and CoSignin’ came out, at an in-store performance at Tower Records (RIP). She was very gracious and (if you can imagine) even better live than on recordings. I told her it was her and Nina Simone
Thanks for posting this.