For Her, the Return Is Bittersweet

“This was the last Meshell Ndegeocello album,” singer-songwriter Ndegeocello declared after her “Peace Beyond Passion” was released three years ago by Maverick Records. “I’ll still do music, but it’ll be in some other form . . . maybe just instrumental music. I’ve already said as much as I can say in my songs at this point. I need a break . . . I hurt.”

Ndegeocello’s pain was apparent in the 1996 album, a series of sometimes savage commentaries on racism, sexism and religious contradictions, much of it reflecting her black, bisexual perspective. It was a powerful work, drawing favorable comparisons to such major soul figures as Curtis Mayfield and establishing her as one of the most uncompromising pop figures of the ‘90s. The album sold around 225,000 copies in the U.S.

Ndegeocello (pronounced N-day-gay-O-chello) said at the time she was overwhelmed by the pressures of the record business, including the relationship with her own label, and the whole process of pouring one’s soul into music. She just didn’t want to go through the latter again, hence the idea of making instrumental music or simply playing bass in a band.

And Ndegeocello, who’ll be 31 on Aug. 29, did make some changes in her personal life, moving from Los Angeles to Berkeley with her 10-year-old son, Askia, to put some distance between her and the L.A. music industry machinery.

Most important, however, she regained the desire to make music. “Bitter,” the long-awaited follow-up to “Peace Beyond Passion,” will arrive in stores Aug. 24. “Grace,” an uplifting, spiritually minded track from the album, has already been sent by Maverick to radio stations with adult alternative and jazz formats.

Unlike the wide social focus of “Peace,” the subject matter encompasses the ups and, especially, the downs of relationships. It was produced by Craig Street, who has worked with Cassandra Wilson and k.d. lang.

About Maverick’s relationship with Ndegeocello, a Maverick Records spokeswoman said, “Meshell is a longtime and highly valued member of the Maverick family and has made a brilliant record with ‘Bitter.’ We have always and will continue to support her artistic right to express herself whether in her songs or in the media.”

On the eve of the album’s release, Ndegeocello, who will perform at the Roxy in West Hollywood on Aug. 23, spoke about the new music and how she regained her enthusiasm for making records.

Question: Let’s go back to 1996, when you said you might not make records anymore. Why were you so disillusioned?

Answer: My record label [was] not supportive at all. Unfortunately, I think you make music from an artistic place in your soul. I just try to write what I feel, and that’s not what [the record business] is about anymore. It’s all about singles and numbers and how much you sell, . . . and that was just confusing to me.

Q: So what got you through that?

A: A lot of my friends were behind me, saying, “You love to write music, so just do it.”

Q: But weren’t you also struggling with the issue of feeling too vulnerable, and not wanting to dig too deeply inside because of the wounds that you would reopen?

A: [I realized] I have to just write about what I know. Duke Ellington said it. I write about the places I’ve seen and the people I know. That’s all I can do. I’m not like the Backstreet Boys having five other people write their songs. I think I’ve grown up and [understand] that I need to look at my life. I can only do what I do, and do my best to try and enjoy it.

Q: How would you describe the message behind the album?

A: I think it is all about being vulnerable and about love. That’s all I really want people to get from it. They are just little stories about things that have happened in my life, and that it’s OK to be vulnerable.

Q: Though the mood of the album is mostly troubled, there are a couple of uplifting, positive tunes. Did you feel it was necessary to offer some hope?

A: The only thing I think is central in life is experiencing the whole array of emotions. That’s the most important thing, not having good ones in comparison to bad ones. It’s just being able to experience.

Q: You mean as opposed to shutting yourself down to protect yourself from problems?

A: Right. I think [shutting down] is what I was experiencing in 1996.

Q: Do you still feel frustrated with the record business?

A: Yes, I’m trying, but I’m really hoping to move from [Maverick] to go somewhere that understands me a little bit more. I handed in this record and they were like, “I don’t hear any singles. You aren’t going to sell any records.” That’s not too supportive.

Q: Has moving to Berkeley helped you separate yourself from the industry pressures?

A: Yes, I needed a change. I hate L.A. I got caught in thinking I wasn’t successful because everything around me was so hyped up. [In Berkeley], I’m reminded about what is important . . . beautiful trees, beautiful food, beautiful people. Life’s not all about the record business or stars or success.

Q: How comforting in all of this is the idea that you are making acclaimed records?

A: It’s great. I think I’m going to be able to look back on what I’ve done and be very proud of myself. I’m not ashamed to say that.

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Meshell Ndegeocello will perform Aug. 23 at the Roxy, 9009 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 9 p.m. Tickets: $20. (310) 278-9457.

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Robert Hilburn, The Times’ pop music critic can be reached by e-mail at robert.hilburn@latimes.com.