***1/2 Me'Shell Ndegéocello

BITTER

(Maverick)

Comparing Me'Shell Ndegéocello to a jazz diva like Cassandra Wilson wouldn't have made much sense a few years ago. But Ndegéocello's latest is a soothing, restrained effort that casts the bassist/singer/songwriter in an entirely different light. The mainstays of her first two albums -- the righteous funk bass, freaky wah-wah guitars, and biting racial commentator -- have disappeared in favor of string arrangements, acoustic guitar, and a hushed romantic mood. And Craig Street, who's produced Cassandra Wilson, handles the duties here; his touches include soaring pedal steel, plush drum tones, and shimmering guitar, and he gives the album a sense of grace that eases Ndegéocello's transformation from avant-funkstress to Adult Alternative. Song titles like "Beautiful," "Loyalty," and "Satisfy" tell you that the tone will be soft and the arrangements spacious and luxurious. As for the album title, it's a misnomer -- even the moody "Wasted Time" (a spellbinding duet with Joe Henry) leaves you with a sweet taste.

-- Michael Endelman