Customer Reviews

Fortunate

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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."

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

The first time I heard about him was on Red Star Sounds Vol. 1. I didn't really know who he was, but then I got his album, and he blew me away. He reminds me of Dave Hollister, and his voice just wraps itself around your ears, and whispers sweetness. Will definitely recommend this album to others.

I've been waiting for Lathun's debut ever since I heard "The Sweetest Thing" on the Red Star Sounds, Vol. 1 compilation album. However, I was a bit apprehensive on how his album would turn it... Thankfully, Lathun has kept the tradition of classic soul singers alive. The album isn't too slow, and it's not ruled by club tracks either. There's almost a track for every mood. Uptempo tracks like "Love Won't Let Me", "When Love Came In" (duet with India.Arie), and "BBQ" can definately keep your head nodding in the summer heat... On the other hand, tracks like "Miss Sally", "Fortunate", and "The Sweetest Thing" should definately be saved for quiet moments with that significant other... Either way, Lathun's debut album does not disappoint.

blaze.

I don't know why I bought this record, I have absolutely no idea. But I'm glad that I did. Lathun doesn't have the best voice in the world, he doesn't have the best beats on his album, and he's not saying anything that the world hasn't heard before, but he's pretty good at everything. I'm not really into the whole neo-soul thing, really really deep music makes my head hurt, and I'm not smart enough to decipher the code jupiter/mars language that some of todays artists speak about (I mostly listen to reggae music), but Fortunate just does it for me. There aren't any bad songs or 'skippers', you can just push play and walk away. My favorite songs are the opener Love Won't Let Me In, When Love Came In with India Arie, BBQ, and my absolute favorite track Find Somebody Else, but like I said, I like all the tunes. Its the best r&b album that I've bought this year (I admit that I haven't bought many) its cool, relaxing and it can close the show in romantic moments, everything I look for in an r&b record. Overall, I say pick this one up, if you like current style r&b music then you'll probably like this one, if you like neo-soul, like I said, its not partcularly deep so you might not rate this one that highly, but it worked for me.

Even being India Arie's labelmate didn't help this brotha to get some exposure. Damn shame. This cat has a very dynamic voice and I hope to hear from him again. Standout cuts are: "Fortunate", the beautiful "Forever One Flesh", "Didn't I", and the funky "Love Won't Let Me." A nice CD to add to your Neo Soul repertoire.

Album has a nice vibe to it - very similar to Musiq's. Highly recomended.

For the most part music from the year 2002 with R & B has not impressed me. However, I was pleasantly surprise with Lathun's CD. I brought the CD because a friend sent the BBQ video to my email. If you like Neo Soul you must pick up this CD. I never heard of this artist and it's obvious to me that bad promotion will keep a good artist unknown.

Nice production work! He sounds like Dave Hollister with a tad more grit! `Very soulful...with a tinge of gospel influence. I bought this cd on a whim and I'm pleased I did...he's quite talented! The song "Didn't I" caught my attention on AOL radio and I've been a fan since! Hopefully, this won't be his last solo project.