Cee-Lo: Cee-Lo Green ... Is the Soul Machine

This guy can do now wrong, remember that.

Cee-Lo is betterknown as one half of the super star that is Gnarls Barkley, who's singles have ignited music and radio this past summer. But, did you know Cee-Lo started out with Goodie Mob before heading solo? I didn't.

Soul Machine, his second album, helps to showcase his vocal talents and skills. He's not world-class singer, but his music is tailored to compliment his voice, just right. The hip-hop, rap, and R&B comparisons are a given, but there's this fun pop attitude that seems to permeate the album. You, the listener, get the feeling that he had a lot of fun making this and it helps to bring you into the albums sound.

Soul Machine, the lead off musical track, has a beat meant to drive his point home: Cee-Lo is the Soul Machine; I'll Be Around was a radio hit a few years back, and listening to it, you can hear why: it crosses genres, has not offense lyrics, and hell, it's just a great tune; My Kind of People slows things down, showcasing the piano and the brass section, which all help to lend a certain latin feel to the tune; Evening News takes the album to a more adult arena, singing in the same way as a certain old time cartoon song.

In the End: While I'm told this is not as good as the "His Perfect Imperfections" album, I think it's a great disc. Some of the language gets a little rough, but it's to be expected from the genre. If you enjoyed St. Elsewhere, check out this one.

On the Web: Hype Machine? Audience. Audience? Hype Machine.

Technorati Tagged: Cee-Lo Green | Gnarls Barkley | Goodie Mob | 2004