Fortunate

Lathun | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 11, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B000063BOT
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #223,729 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars worth checking out, July 15, 2002

By 

Stuart MacDonnell (Bangkok, Thailand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fortunate (Audio CD)

Amazing that Musiq's latest debuts at #1 while Lathun's debut does zero business as the albums are remarkably similar in feel. Lathun wrote and produced most of this and it promises excellent things to come. As it is, some of the more laid-back numbers lack real personality with pedestrian arrangements but the more up-tempo tracks like Not Ready and Love Won't Let Me work really well. The undoubted highlight is the duet with India.Arie - When Love Came In. It swings!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 100% Music. 0% Hype., June 25, 2002

By 

The Groove (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fortunate (Audio CD)

Like many male vocalists of the neo-soul camp, Lathun's influences are clearly from soul legends of the 1970s. His impressive debut doesn't exactly break new ground, but he excels at what he does here. Well-crafted, velvet-smooth soul that soars on the strength of Lathun's voice. Highlights include the duet with India.Arie "When Love Came In" and the closing jam "Not Ready." Younger audiences will flock to the instant-gratification, sample-heavy, trendy singers, but if you're looking for a promising debut from an artist whose passion is in music and not image, then you'll be pleased with "Fortunate."

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unknown to some people, Lathun has a winner with "Fortunate", July 16, 2002

By 

J. Highsmith (Mitchellville, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fortunate (Audio CD)

If it wasn't for the BET show, "Midnight Love", I may have never known who Lathun was. I saw his video for the song "Fortunate" and that song stayed in my head so often, I decided that I would take a chance on his debut CD once it was released. Motown realized that Lathun had some talent and believe me they made a good assessment of the skills that he has to offer. At first listen, you may think that Lathun is a Neo Soul artist, but really he is r&b. After "Fortunate", Lathun has many songs that he can choose from to be the second single. The second best song on the CD is clearly "When Love Came In" featuring India Arie. This is a very nice collaboartion between the two artists. This shows that Lathun can perform the uptempo songs just as well as the slow jams. With the right promotion, this song can do very well. The majority of Lathun's songs are slow and midtempo but the listener will be far from disappointed because of the quality of the songs. Lathun writes the majority of the songs and he also plays an important role in the production part as well. "BBQ" is a nice summer jam that should definitely be played at any nice, warm cookout while you enjoy good times with your family and friends. "Sweestest Thing" which is also featured on Red Star Sounds, Volume 1, is very reminiscent of a Joe song and if you hear the track on the radio you may say to yourself it is Joe. This midtempo track is also in the running for the second best song. "Love Won't Let Me" has Lathun trying to stay strong although a woman that he was in love with has decided to leave. This gets the CD off to a nice start. Other noteworthy tracks include "Forever One Flesh", "Would I Lie", "Miss Sally", where Lathun speaks about his feelings for an older woman, "Find Somebody Else", and the Dave Hollister esque "Didn't I". You will not find any filler material on this CD. You can play "Fortunate" from Track 1 to Track 13 without a problem at all. Lathun presents a nice debut to us. With a good 2nd single and the right marketing and promotion, Lathun will be around for years to come.

James' Top 5

1) Fortunate
2) When Love Came In w/ India Arie
3) Love Won't Let Me
4) Miss Sally
5) Forever One Flesh