The Lady Killer

December 1st, 2010

Artist: Cee-Lo Green

Label: Elektra/Asylum

Formats: CD (also available in Clean ed. and International ed.), MP3

Release date: November 9, 2010

His sound is rooted in soul, blooms bandstand era pop, and produces hip hop pollen. His voice may not be traditional, but just like any instrument, he fine tunes it to fit his canvass of work. He’s this generation’s Isaac Hayes deploying versatility from funk, to rock, to standards. I’ve been a fan of his since “Closet Freak” and admire his ability to sport his freak flag with the utmost confidence and ease.

Cee-Lo Green’s latest album finds him as the debonair killer of ladies with an intro only James Bond & Billy D. Williams could even attempt to replicate. There’s never a dull moment as everything swells with a signature ‘60s soul sound. The gigantic “Bright Lights, Bigger City” is the perfect soundtrack for any Saturday night escapade:

Next is the stellar tongue-in-cheek first single “F*** You,” which definitely loses its essence on the radio. Green brings out the sexy with the creepy good “Bodies,” a sensual tribute to the morning after. And if that is afterglow, the robust “Love Gun,” a duet with Lauren Bennett, is the night before, full of the chase, foreplay and target practice.

The other feature on the album is backing vocals from EW&F’s Philip Bailey on the funky-paced “Fool for You.” Green produces the last gem—his one mic, big stage ballad “Old Fashioned“—by channeling the likes of recent throwback sounds from Maxwell and (sadly) R. Kelly.

The Lady Killer is a definite buy that can be enjoyed over and over again.

Reviewed by Lorin Williams

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Review Genre(s): Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Funk