Most of y’all know that we’re huge fans of Bruno Mars here at The Couch Sessions. The Hawaii-born musican became a household name by writing and singing the hook for Bruno Mars’ “Nothing on You,” this year, however he’s been on his grind for a minute behind the scenes penning the track “Right Round” for Flo’Rida and even producing the World Cup rework of K’Naan’s Wavin’ Flag.

Earlier this year he dropped an EP which is getting quite a buzz, and he connected with Cee-Lo for the track Other Side (which we dropped in May), and it’s my favorite track off the project. It’s just a great pop song. Check it.

Most of y’all know that Cee Lo was supposed to put out an album waaaaay back in 2006 with LA producer Jack Splash called The Heart Attack. Flush off of his success of Gnarls Barkley, there was significant buzz for the album but it all but disappeared from the landscape.

Now it’s 2010 and Cee-Lo album rumors have resurfaced again. This time, however, there is more truth to the matter as he released a new track, titled “Georgia,” this week. The the album The Lady Killer is a definite go and it contains new songs as well as some tracks from the previous Jack Splash project (I was told).

I’m digging this track. I know Cee-Lo’s solo work has not caught on like it should have but this song sounds like a winner. (via SoulCulture)

BONUS: Cee-Lo and Jack Splash (The Heart Attack) – Right Now

Bruno Mars – Otherside

Bruno Mars – Our First Time

UPDATE: Here is the final version of Otherside with Cee-Lo and B.O.B.

Bruno Mars is the luckiest dude in America right now.

Plucked from obscurity his delicious hook (probably one of the top 10 of the decade) has ended up gracing the top song in the country. BOB’s Nothing on You is a brilliant pop track, but let’s face it, it would be nothing without Mars’ booming vocals.

But the question remains, who exactly is Bruno Mars? It’s not like BOB picked an already notable artist…say Trey Songz to back him up. Even though Mr Mars (aka Peter Hernandez) is not a household name , the dude has been in the background of the industry, penning the hit “Right Round” for Flo Rida and chalking up songs for Maroon5 and Brandy. The artist, , also has some brilliant solo material, and fronts his own band, playing critically acclaimed shows at LA’s Temple Bar.

With a sound that crosses left field, pop and indie rock and R&B, Mars’ palate might be as diverse as his pal Bobby Ray. The Hawaiian born Mars is dropping a new EP through Electra called “It’s Better If You Don’t Understand” and the tracks that I’ve heard so far have been superb. “Otherside” is an upbeat pop track with a somewhat Coldplay-like hook while Our First Time is an classic R&B stunner. On top of that he plays hook duty on Travie (Travis?) McCoy’s new single “Billionaire.”

Bruno’s solo career seems to be bright and there is no doubt that he will become a household name soon.

Jack Splash feat. Kelis – In The Future

I’ve been wondering what happened to Jack Splash. The LA based musician is a king of the underground, but has also produced for such artists Alicia Keys, R. Kelly, Kelis, Estelle, John Legend, Solange, Anthony Hamilton and a Cee-Lo album (The Heart Attack) which needs to see light of day.

This track with Kelis is warming on me and is from a 3 Part Mixtape series which he will drop on the world soon.

BONUS: Since people asked about them a LONG time ago, here is the re-up to a couple of tracks from the Cee-Lo/Jack Splash collabo that never saw the light of day.

I’m very close to getting my hands on this new Nat King Cole remix project, RE:GENERATIONS, but these videos have to hold me over until then. These  two videos go behind the scenes of the project featuring interviews with Cee-Lo and executive producer Carole Cole.

RE:GENERATIONS EPK

Cee-Lo Green Interview

Nat King Cole – Lush Life Prod. by Cee-Lo Green (Windows Media File)

Much thanks to my old friend Honey Soul, who put me onto a new Nat King Cole compilation being released this month. Nat King Cole’s Re:Generations features a stellar lineup of artists and producers: Cee-Lo, The Roots, Will.i.am with Natalie Cole, Cut Chemist, Just Blaze, Nas with Salaam Remi, Souldiggaz with Izza Kizza, Michaelangelo L’Acqua with Bebel Gilberto, Stephen and Damian Marley, Bitter:Sweet, Brazilian Girls, Amp Fiddler and TV On The Radio.(Good lawd that’s a nice list!)  There hasn’t been much music that has excited me so far in 2009, but I’m on pins and needles for this album. It reminds me a lot of the Verve Remixed series (which is still one of my favorites), and hopefully will reignite interest in a legend.

Common – What a World feat Chester French

Common – Make My Day feat Cee-Lo

Common’s Universal Mind Control is still slated for release on December 9th, although I wouldn’t be surprised if it got pushed back again. So far, it’s getting a lukewarm reception from the blogosphere, and very little radio play. Of course, I actually like most of the tracks that have leaked including the two above. However, I’m that strange kid that loved Common’s Electric Circus too, so take my words with a grain of salt.

The Constellations feat Asher Roth – Were Here to Save the Day

The Constellations – Felicia (Klever Remix)

I haven’t really been into indie rock like I used to. All of these buzz bands sound the same to me. It’s almost like the white people’s version of ringtone rap. However, the Atlanta’s Constellations seemed to have defined their sound, bluing their indie rock sound with elements of hip-hop and electronica and flipping the whole genre on its backside in the process. Tarik has been hyping these dudes up for the longest, and I’m convinced that, these dude are going to be a household name this time next year.

The group has ties to Gnarls Barkley’s production, and the connection pays off as well–Cee Lo makes an appearance on their album. The trio also snagged future Eminem Asher Roth for “Were Here To Save the Day,” way before he got famous on the Internet.

Their album Southern Gothic, which just dropped this summer, is supposedly a trip through late night Atlanta (which ain’t the same since they shut down Buckhead), complete with a visit to the infamous Clermont Lounge. What do y’all think?

myspace.com/constellationsatl