Joe Thomas – New Man
The re-introduction of the very consistent urban R&B crooner Joe (Thomas), released Sept 23rd, came to my senses for another review for The Urban Music Scene. I had previously shared with you “Ain’t Nothing Like Me” last year. Now he brings you a “New Man” in Joe. In comparison, is this new project much better than the last?
In case many of you were not aware, Joe Thomas had recently signed with Kedar Entertainment – a switch to a new record label signaling a change in direction for his music career. With that said, we should come to expect differences in compositional styles, grooves & overall appeal from the various discography Joe laced on us from back then. And after spinning this CD back for review, I had some differences of my own!
Track Listing:
~ E.R. (Emergency Room)
~ By Any Means
~ Why Just Be Friends
~ We Need To Roll
~ Man In Your Life
~ I Won’t Let Him Hurt You
~ New Man
~ Start Over Again
~ Sorry
~ Heart Behind My Eyes
~ Chameleon
~ Friends Don’t Let Friends
~ Special Friends
~ Magic
~ Sex Girl
~ Wanna Be Your Love
The tracks “E.R. (Emergency Room)” anticipates an eagerly, out of control moment for love. A sense of desperation, as if its being played out in your local hospital ward…..and….”By Any Means” trickles down the groove, as typical as any of Joe’s previous cuts. A reflection of the way Joe delivers his sultry tasteful voice over mid-tempo’d structured cuts.; “Why Just Be Friends” has this killer hypnotic groove & an exceptional opening in the cross fade of the beginning of the jam! The lyrics seems to read between the lines of being both risqué & exposing truths behind what could possibly be a friendship on its way to blossoming into a beautiful, strong intimate relationship. I liked the sounds to this one…
Tracks to look out for are possibly his signature related slow tracks. Music that reminds you of his earlier slow classics. Such songs like “We Need To Roll”, “I Won’t Let Him Hurt You”, “Start Over Again” & my highlight track -“Sorry” quickly stands out from the roll call of those ballads.
“Heart Behind My Eyes” continues the softening of compositions not too reminiscent from his last project. Maybe its the tone set for his change in the R&B game. “Chameleon” does the same…
Album title “New Man” sounded like another Ne-Yo given production, which in turn becomes easily predictable.
Bryan Michael Cox, Rodney Jerkins & a host of producers did not disappoint the production dept. Neither did Joe disappoint with a new beginning, so as the bio states. But this CD is essentially something different in the way the music is presented. I heard a change in the way Joe delivered his music. I liked this CD. I can’t say for certain its his best by far, but I liked the way the CD flows. In fact, its one of those projects that grows on you over a period of time. And maybe that will stand as a testament to the change Joe was looking for….
You may listen or purchase MP3 of “New Man” on our R&B Page!! Exclusively from Amazon!
T
The Urban Music Scene