Lamone - Eclectically Speaking (2008)

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    Clever and enticing, Eclectically Speaking catches your eye and draws you in with the cover photo of a shirtless gentleman donning a pair of dark shades with a head topped with a wild, but stylish fro, grasping a classically styled chrome microphone.  Mics like those were what pioneers like Jackie Wilson and James Brown clutched while throngs of worshippers screamed their approval.  Taking notice of all of this leaves you to wonder about the musical background of this man simply referred to as Lamone.   What may surprise those who gamble on this project is that Lamone has performed worldwide alongside the smooth sax man, Najee.

    Clever and enticing, Eclectically Speaking catches your eye and draws you in with the cover photo of a shirtless gentleman donning a pair of dark shades with a head topped with a wild, but stylish fro, grasping a classically styled chrome microphone.  Mics like those were what pioneers like Jackie Wilson and James Brown clutched while throngs of worshippers screamed their approval.  Taking notice of all of this leaves you to wonder about the musical background of this man simply referred to as Lamone.   What may surprise those who gamble on this project is that Lamone has performed worldwide alongside the smooth sax man, Najee.

    Stepping out from well under the radar with Eclectically Speaking, Lamone is ready for the world to take notice.  Eclectically Speaking is like the perfect musical recipe - add a little funk, a dash of pop, a spoonful of house, a sliver of jazz and blend it to a good consistency for a definitively soulful product.  Love and a solid relationship is the underlying theme for most of the songs on this collection. On the first song, "(For You) I'll Go There" (which features Najee on sax), Lamone's lyrics paint a vivid picture of a romantic interlude with lyrics like, "...lick you here, touch you there."  He sings of a promise to his love interest to step outside of his typical comfort zone and do what it takes to make the experience pleasing. 

    "Your Eyes" features Najee on flute and is sure to be a favorite among those who favor house music.  Singing about the eyes being the window to the soul, which is where this mutual attraction lies between the two people on the dance floor, the addition of Lamone's vocals make "Your Eyes" one of the hottest songs on Eclectically Speaking.   

    There are a few occurrences on Eclectically Speaking where the listener will recognize how heavily influenced Lamone was by certain songs and singers growing up.   "Hangin' Out" awakens any reflections of Maze's "Before I Let Go," while "Smile" takes you to a zone where A Tribe Called Quest's "Electric Relaxation" rocked the speakers in your car so hard that passers-by looked in, wanting to groove like you. 

    Lamone has been overheard explaining that when he growing up there was diversity in the music he was exposed to that he enjoyed immensely.  This is certainly evident as he adds his renditions of "Foolish Heart" (Steve Perry),  "You Got The Love" (Chaka Khan),  and" Too Much Heaven" (Bee Gees).   Lamone does a remarkable job covering all of these classics and making them his own.  Remember the name Lamone because you will begin to hear it a lot more frequently.  Sometimes word of mouth is the best method used to spread the news that an artist has music that is worthy of the attention of your ears; such is the case with Eclectically Speaking.   Highly Recommended

    --Detrel Howell