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Lugo - Good to go - CafeCD06

 

Lugo was Percussionist for Christina Augillera & writer for many artists including as Ronny Jordan Lugo appears with The Holland Tunnel Project on "The Holland Tunnel Project, a smooth blend of jazz". This album I believe was originally relased in the US as LATIN SOUL but is put out by Cafe as Good to Go, picking up on the opening track, that has taken off in the UK, a midtempo groover tastefully sung with melodic chorus.

Son of Puerto Rican Pastor Cecar and Noemi, Edwin Anthony Lugo sang at the age of three. A Performing Arts High School, the University of Texas at Austin & Apollo Theater graduate. He won the Apollo several nights in a row. An accomplished actor he has appeared on Broadway in Paul Simon's "The Capeman".

This album was produced by Lugo, "Bassy" Bob Brockman and Yaron Fuchs of NUMEDIA NY. "Bassy" is a Multiple Grammy® Winning Producer; (Babyface, Christina Aguillera, Puff Daddy, Notorious Big, Toni Braxton, The Fugees, Brandy & TLC) and Harold Martin Jr. & Duce Martinez of Ironbound Sound & Liquid Records (Christopher Williams) / Justin Strauss of Just Right Productions (Madonna The Remixes) & Robert Fussari of White Chocolate Productions (Destiny's Child & Will Smith). The production credits are there to see and this comes across throughout this balanced well presented set.

Mostly good grooving seductive easy soul with Latin overtones. 'Only faith' is percussive, similar groove but beatier and easier catchier vocal/hook. 'Swerve On' has a jazzier feel, well controlled vocal and chorus in the higher ranges - good track. Going down a jazz tip with the downbeat 'I love you', the beat may be down but the vocals come across stronger but mellower. This mellower groove continues on 'The other man', with jazz flute and guitar and 'Things we do' with its sweet harmonies.

After a few downbeat numbers the album picks up again, not only in style but in quality as well, the next four cuts represent the best tranche on the album. The drumbeat on Only If is a bit Memphis and the vocal style is perfectly suited to this type of material, one of my favourite cuts. Different vibe altogether on 'Kiss the Rain', vocals in the higher ranges and a funkier feel to it. 'Good lovin' is another great track, lazy summer vibe whilst 'Who's lovin you' picks it right up again. Another cut which could/ will pick up on the UK dancefloors with it's midtempo modern soul groove..

Of the remaining tracks the funky Lonely Groove, the only track written solely by Lugo, does it for me. 'Keep' is bugging me right now because the hook is so familiar, but I can't place it.

All in all a pretty good album, adult orientated soul with leanings towards say a Marvin Gaye style but with a couple that will fill the dancefloors.


 

 

 

Tracks: - Good to go, Only faith, Swerve on, I love you, The other man, Things we do, Only if, Kiss the rain, Good lovin', Who's lovin you, Smile, Lonely Groove, Easy Lover, Keep

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