Releasing his first, self-titled album on March 2nd, one-man band Wyatt Stone is no stranger to the world of making music. Having toured with the Grammy-award winning songwriter Rickie Lee Jones for the past 2 years, playing every instrument in the band at one time or another (including bass, guitar, drums, piano, violin, mandolin ,banjo and back-up singing), Wyatt Stone has crossed paths with music visionaries like Jon Brion, Jackson Browne, Ozomatli, and Dr. John. Through these experiences and his love of nearly every style of music, Wyatt’s first album is an eclectic sonic experience hailing back to genre-defying classics of Nilsson Shmilsson, All Things Must Pass, and The Band. There are sounds from all around the world on this record, including the Egyptian riq, the Indian sitar, bamboo flutes played by Richard Hardy (Carole King), and numerous American folk instruments. Other than flutes and saxes played by Richard Hardy, drums on the single “Don’t Forget” by Paul Hurd (Robert Francis) and some trumpet/guitar parts played co-producer Larry Treadwell (Cyndi Lauper, Thomas Dolby) this record is completely performed and arranged by Wyatt Stone. Those looking for a sonic trip through the imaginary world Stone has created with his genre-blurring record should look no further than his introductory work.

The album's opening cut is "Don't Forget," a sunny and inviting number perfectly suited to a long drive up the coast with the window down and the ocean breeze blowing through your hair. Borrowing from a variety of styles, the song begins with the golden partnership of mandolin and slide guitar, taking its time to builds up to a cathartic and celebratory gospel-tinged finale, complete with triumphantly conversational saxophones that highlight the ensemble. Harkening back to the singing style of folk-legends like Harry Nilsson, Stone's bright and clear voice cuts through the folk-rock instrumentation as he sings the simple and memorable hook that opens every verse: "dont forget!" It kicks off the album with a positive jolt of musical vitality and creative energy that Stone rides all the way to the end of the nine-song set, encouraging you to follow him the whole way there. With a message as uplifting and poignant as this song sends, it's going to be very hard to forget the talents of Wyatt Stone.

Buy Wyatt Stone's debut record by contacting him via e-mail: wyattstone@ucla.edu Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.