This R&B superstar is not your average Joe. Despite being an iTunes and Amazon search nightmare, Joe Thomas has sold millions of albums: from the classic And Then… and sort of self-titled My Name Is Joe to the regular release latest (Ain’t Nothin’ Like Me, Joe Thomas, New Man and Signature). From stuttering to collaborating with everyone from N*Sync (I Believe In You) and Mariah Carey (Thank God I Found You, featuring Nas), to covering Marvin Gaye (Come Get To This), Joe has always known how to make hit records. Treading the fine line between an Usher and a Carl Thomas, Joe Thomas has career carved a niche for himself. That’s why he’s back like he never left with his ninth album; The Good, The Bad, The Sexy.
This ‘G.B.S’ piece starts all cinematic with the storytelling Losing, which really is worth a listen as it’s a winner of a track. Then Joe has a Swayze on the upbeat Time of Your Life as he gives us his platinum and gold sound. Almost There and Circles keep this signature sound of the solo singer going before things get real nasty on Pull My Hair. As Dear Joe and Slow Kisses come into play, things get even more personal as this album goes from ‘the good’ to ‘the sexy’.
Then it goes to the club with the night-spot certified, out-there Lose Control and the tailor-made Tonight, before Joe suits up smart for the Impossible. This album is full of cuts that bleed quality and control; you could pop this album into your car stereo, CD changer, or play it at a party or with the one you love all night long. Still, as last orders are called on this L.P. Drink Up is the perfect toast to another classy, cohesive collection from modern soul’s smoothest. With another good album for the grown and sexy, this is anything but bad or the ugly. It’s all looking good and regular for Joe. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
