Cee Lo Green - The Lady Killer
New album by the big guy from Gnarls Barkley on Elektra. From the start it's well produced by the likes of the Smeezingtons, Salaam Remi and the UK's own Fraser T. Smith. With contributions from singer Lauren Bennett, Earth, Wind & Fire's Philip Bailey and a new one to me Selah Sue. Cee Lo's voice is smooth and soulful, the tracks are intelligent and funny in places and the album as a whole leaves you with a chilled out, loved up vibe. The retro sound with it's trumpets and horns isn't for everyone but stand out tracks Bodies and Wildflower as well as the fantastic F*** You / Forget You make this album of love songs a relaxing listen. 8/10
Kid Cudi - Man On The Moon II (The Legend Of Mr. Rager)
The second album from the troubled rapper, and it's not going to endear him to many. Hip Hop isn't usually my thing but this guy doesn't give off a Look At Me And My Money aura. His dark and melodic tunes are more cerebral than that. Kanye West features as does the big man from above, Cee Lo Green and even Mary J Blige gets in there so the kid can obviously has some big name fans. He is not going to be famous for his vocal range and the oohhs and aahhs and whispered lines could have been more melodic. Erase Me is the most radio friendly but my favourite is Mojo So Dope. Overall though it has the feel of a disjointed experiment and is hard to categorise or compare. 5/10
N.E.R.D - Nothing
I've always liked N.E.R.D. It's not as cool as Pharrell's usual stuff but is obviously done for the fun of it rather than to make the money. His falsetto on Hypnotize U (produced fittingly by Daft Punk) is sleazy rather than loving. Victory could be by Queen. I've listened to this album non stop all day and love it's lazy beats and easy listening lyrics. It's like The Flaming Lips for the Trip Hop crowd. Funky and smooth without being cheesy. Hot-n-Fun at the end features Nelly Furtado and could have brightened up the middle of the album but would remix into a great club track. 7/10
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