50 Years of Soul Power

Posted February 20, 2013 by J Matthew Cobb in Features

Cee Lo Green
The Lady Killer
(Elektra; 2010)

James Bond may be the superlative idol in Green’s universe while listening to The Lady Killer, but Green’s affection towards anthemic synth-R&B (“Bright Lights Bigger City”) and Motown pop (“Fuck You,” “Cry Baby,” “It’s OK”) fits so cleverly on his soulfully identifiable pipes. He also kicks out a stunning midtempo duet with EW&F singer Phillip Bailey on “Fool for You” and a vocal for the ages on the doo-wop-styled “Old Fashioned.” Green’s early career is decorated with hip-hop and alternative, but Lady Killer proves his voice deserves a place alongside heavyweight soul crooners like Wilson Pickett and Solomon Burke.