Lumidee
Unexpected
(TVT)
A. Scott Galloway

Spanish Harlem native Lumidee Cedeno is that tough yet sensitive chick from round the way who raps, sings and writes her own material. For her long overdue sophomore album, Unexpected (her first for TVT), she gets the full young diva treatment with high tech production and superstar guests. But it is her heart and sincerity that shine through, introducing a young woman who wants the finer things in life (and we’re not talking bling). This album is an international cornucopia of aura and danceable vibrations from the Middle Eastern tinge of “Caught Up” to the reggae strains of “Cute Boy.” Label mate Pitbull brings the hype to “Crazy,” Wyclef Jean touches down to produce the mind-tweaker “The Whistle Song,” Shaggy rejoins here for a remake of the Roberta Flack classic “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” and Snoop Dogg helps her kick it about the almighty dollar on “In it For the Money.” In the third quarter, Lumidee brings the sexuality on the steamy, deep bass track “I’m Up” (f/ Jim Jones) and “You Got Me” (f/ N.O.R.E.). Most moving is an epic ode to a friend no longer here, titled “Passing Thru.” Lumidee proves she has the stuff in this well-thought-out crucial second effort.