It’s been a while since we’ve gotten a full new release from Durham rapper, singer and impresario Shirlette Ammons—her last “official” output was the 2011 EP she issued with the Dyanmite Brothers. But she’s got a new LP on deck, Language Barrier, due in early February.
Yesterday, Afropunk premiered another new song from the album, “Dear Nora.” Meshell Ndegeocello—whose influence Ammons wrote about early last year for the INDY—sings on the sparkling, smooth song. Ndegeocello is one of many musicians on Ammons’ impressive roster of collaborators for Language Barrier, which also features Sookee on “Language Barrier Segue” and the Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray on “Earth Intro.” Phil Cook, Amelia Meath, Median and Heather McEntire are among the other guests.
Language Barrier arrives via SugarQube and Churchkey Records February 5. This will be the first release for SugarQube, the new label run by Ammons and her twin sister, Shorlette. Before the full album lands, you can stream “Dear Nora” below.