Joe | Signature

Joe | Signatureby George Strand

Having a way with music all of his life, Mr. Joe Lewis Thomas had this knack or flair for the intimacy of love songs & ballads. A question that always receives an answer on all of the LP’s throughout his career in R&B music. A champion who discovered his niche & made a wise decision to hold on to that virtue no matter what happens later on. Something about this young man I truly admire whenever I saw his name being associated to the art of love music. But I took time out recently to try & figure out where did his drive come from. Who influenced his brilliant penmanship to songs written & produced? How did it all begin to fall into place for the guy now recognized all over the world as ‘Joe’?

Could it be the same compassion he shares for love songs coming from men years before him that wrapped their vocal arms around poetically, heartwarming compositions like Marvin Gaye? Like Luther Vandross? Like Teddy Pendergrass, Smokey Robinson & Freddie Jackson? How about a good singer I like, who not only is seeing his career increase overtime, but because of his prowess to bring out the best of a love song like a well baked dutch apple pie coming fresh out of the oven – Mr. Phil Perry? Who knows. But one thing you must understand my friends about doing anything related to R&B & soul music. It’s that you must remember one thing: although most well generated productions of any song ever written are fine & great, THE VOICE OF THE SINGER must have lasting impression overall on the listener. Never drowned out, but equally sedated with the production to truly hear, understand & appreciate the aptitude they bring to any stage front, studio, dance hall or theater seating given by chance over the microphone. You know what I mean?

The slow songs made him more popular & successful than the much more hard edge, fast tracking grooves.

And Joe made those arrangements. The ninth chance, “Signature” was well said, well documented & well connected to the tie of his music. Sometimes a bit abrasive with the lyrical content, and a few -every-now-and-then picker-uppers in the fast music scenario, ultimately, the slow quiet music on his itinerary brings the best out of him. Its a no-brainer. What matters more than anything is a not so such startling fact: He remained consistent with it.

From all of the 11 to the 12 tracks created, Joe slid down the memory lane with a rather appealing 3 piece dress suit on & a point of view to share. The last song, track 12 was a bonus.

“Majic” followed suit, “Very Special Friend” reaffirmed his songwriting blessing, “Friends Don’t Let Friends” was sensitive, quiet, ambient & expressing. “Worst Case Scenario” kept the vibe ticking into the romantic tranquility, while “Wanna Be Your Lover” exhorts a reach for the lead role to be the gentleman in a ladies state of mind.

“Miss Me Baby” & “Come Get To This” was possibly one of the very few songs on the mid-tempo level. “Love’s Greatest Episode” will make it somewhere near the fireplace. “Sensitive Lover” will possibly bring the best of Chicago’s steppers onto the dance floor.

The bonus track, something completely different is coming from a duet with a young upcoming lady from Austria, ‘Lylit’ in “Change”. A vibe that makes the CD wholesome when you consider the amount of ballads placed on the project. It’s a neo-soul driven, synth carried gem, purposely IMO, to introduce the young lady. Good move Joe. You already had me with the 11 tracks before that.

I grade this special post it note 4+ stars (out of 5). A golden prize in the making. I’m proud of the music Joe decided to share along with his fans, new listeners like myself & more to come. While his career had many roadblocks, challenges & changes, The best of his overwhelming trait for producing, arranging, writing & singing talent to the world should not go unnoticed. And I truly believe it will not. This is not a renewal of Joe. This has been his gift all along.

George Strand
The Urban Music Scene