Meshell Ndegeocello's stage name — correctly pronounced MEE-shell n-duh-GAY-o-chel-o -- might throw you, but this nine-time Grammy-nominated master bassist/singer/rapper/experimental music enthusiast and pal/collaborator with Madonna, the Rolling Stones and John Mellencamp will make you forget all that once she hits the stage. Since famously signing with Madonna's Maverick some 15 years ago, she's the rare soul artist -- think Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu -- who's always been able to pull a crowd despite her dearth of full-length feature projects (and without the publicity heaped upon the other two, to boot). You never know what to expect at one of Ndegeocello's live gigs, but, to these ears, that's part of the draw. W. Ellington Felton will open. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. $25. Amos' SouthEnd, 1423 S. Tryon St. 704-377-6874. www.amossouthend.com.