Proof of Ndegeocello's diverse musical interests are a number of recent side projects. She collaborated on the debut album of New York-based Cuban hip-hop band Yerba Buena, and covered a song for a new Dolly Parton tribute CD.

"I performed a song called 'Two Doors Down.' I like Dolly Parton a lot," she says. "I think she is an amazing lyricist and songwriter. She asked me personally and I was more than happy to participate."

In January, she will also be releasing "Papillon," a jazz record with singers Lalah Hathaway and Cassandra Wilson. "It is mostly an instrumental, meditative record with a few guest vocalists."

She enjoys different types of music and doesn't want to be niched in one style. "I have listened to and played a lot of different styles of music. I guess that experience finds a way out in the diversity of my music.

Ndegeocello, which means "free like a bird" in Swahili, does not feel her genre-crossing music-making equals experimentation for its own sake. "It is all music to me," she says. "No matter what musical type, it has the same DNA, it is all 12 notes in a scale. I just change the combinations a bit now and then."

Ndegeocello is considered by some one of the few gay icons in music. She smiles at the notion and openly wonders if she considers herself gay. "There is not really a word to describe my sexuality," she says.

She smiles, "I am just a polyamorous, water-based carbon life form. I find myself being able to enjoy sex with both sexes, I am able to fall in love with both sexes and I love animals."

She admits that her gay fans are very important to her, but she does not want to be stereotyped as a gay artist. "My music is for everybody that it speaks to. I don't like to be compartmentalized. I am just thankful, whoever likes the music."

"Comfort Woman" is in stores now.

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