Joe Thomas - New Man

13-08-2008 12:33

Released September 23

It is a new day for premier soul man Joe Thomas. After ten years signed to Jive Records, where he recorded the platinum discs All That I Am (1997) and My Name is Joe (2000), he has decided that now is the time to start taking chances. "Nothing against being signed to a major label, but most of the time it’s about what they want you to do as opposed to what the artist wants to do. I have nothing against Jive, but I really just wanted to be me. Seriously, I got tired of being held back."

Teaming-up with his manager of 15 years, Kedar Massenburg, who also serves as executive producer on the much anticipated project, Joe has come back stronger than ever. Indeed, from the first listen to his soulful emancipation Joe Thomas, it is obvious from the looseness of his voice and the texture of his timbre that he was feeling a little different.

"Of course there is a happiness that comes with independence, but I also felt more confident in the studio," Joe explains. "I was able to work at my own pace, choose my collaborators and sing the truth. Kedar and I have been working together forever, and we know how to make a great soul record."

Yet, just because Joe Thomas, New Man is an indie R&B record, does not mean that this is a bargain basement affair. "I’ve developed many close relationships with some of the best in the business," Joe says. "When it came time for me to go into the studio I was able to call on my friends like Puffy, Bryan Michael Cox and Billie Woodruff to come through."

In addition, Joe was also blessed with contributions from Nas, Game, Busta Rhymes, Mario and Trey Songz, Snoop Dogg and P. Diddy. "I only like working with people who can take their art to the next level. But, believe me, getting all the right folks for this project was a blessing."

Releasing dual singles "ER" and "Why Just Be Friends," the talented balladeer is more than ready to compete with his rivals on the radio. "The track ER was produced by a newcomer named D’Mile, a young and eager dude out of Brooklyn," Joe says. Serving as the opening for New Man, the theme of unrequited love is one that runs through the majority of the disc.

"All of us know what it’s like to be feeling somebody who might not be feeling you," laughs Joe. "For a lot of guys it’s not about what they have, but what they want."