Signed Joe Thomas (Joe - Signature)

Member Name: Lakerfanster

Product:	Joe - Signature
Date:	12/10/09 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great vocals, Ballads

Disadvantages: Wrong beats?

**Introduction**

Joe Thomas is one of the longest standing R&B singers around at the moment, having released eight albums to date since his debut album "Everything" in 1993. I saw him live at Hammersmith Apollo on 11th April 2007 with Boyz II Men and Brian McKnight and I am due to see him live again at Bristol's 02 Academy on Friday with Ginuwine. I thought it would be a great opportunity to review his latest album which was only released on 21st September 2009 in the United Kingdom.

**Signature**

This is the second independent release from Joe after he signed with Kedar entertainment. The album features Joe's usual mix of smooth love ballads and up tempo tracks. The album features production as usual from Joe himself but also includes production credits from Kedar Massenburg who also owns the record label that Joe Thomas is signed to. Signature had an impressive release opening at number seven on the Billboard charts. The lead single is "Majic".

1 Majic
2 Sex Girl
3 Very Special Friend
4 Friends Don't Let Friends
5 Worst Case Scenario
6 Wanna Be Your Lover
7 Miss My Baby
8 Come Get to This
9 Metaphor
10 Love's Greatest Episode
11 Sensitive Lover
12 Lylit "Change"
13 We Need To Roll feat Mario
14 Man In Your Life feat the Game

**The Album**

"Majic"

The lead single from the album gets us under-way and this is a track that owners of the previous album will know as there is a little snippet at the end of the last album. This is a seductive love ballad with a catchy beat, this track is about the way you two feel in the bedroom. Great romantic start.

"Sex Girl"

This track opens with a bass beat and Joe's distinctive vocals, the song slows a little as Joe gets into the vocal melody. This is another strong track which has a good beat and Joe shows off his great falsetto. Despite being a very decent track it lacks a little oomph.

"Very Special Friend"

This is a very impressive ballad with some great string backing, This track really shows off Joe's emotive vocal delivery. This track is about looking for that special someone that makes everything seem fine. This has a great flow and the album is getting into full flow now.

"Friends don't let friends"

This is another great ballad, This track has a flow which is similar to "The Love Scene" but a little lighter. This has a tremendous flow and is one of the best tracks on the album. The song is about being there for someone when they need someone. Great vocals on this one.

"Worst Case Scenario"

This is probably the best track on the album, This tender ballad is about finding out your ex who you still love is now with someone new. This is a heartbreaking track which I am sure many people will be able to relate to and cry tears whilst listening to this. This is about thinking about all the things you did that they will now be doing with their new partner. Great track.

"Wanna Be Your Lover"

This has a beautiful orchestral opening with some tender Curtis Mayfield like guitar licks. The beat then comes in and the song is in full flow, This track is about seeing someone you are so attracted to that you just want to be with them. A very seductive track which has a great flow. This is Another good love ballad.

"Miss my baby"

This is catchy mid tempo ballad with a nice flow, his seductive vocals are a great feature on this particular track as he moves through the lyrics. This is not quite the best track on the album but the beat and flow and of course the vocal keeps this track well above average.

"Come get to this"

This is an emotive cover of the Marvin Gaye classic and even if you didn't know the original you could tell it was by Marvin Gaye because of the unmistakable Marvin flow. This is a very good version indeed. He does not have the ease of Marvin but the vocal is very good.

"Metaphor"

This is a brilliant track which starts with a taut beat and some lovely spanish guitar, This track is about showing to someone how much you love them. This track has a great flow and is another tender moment on this album. Good stuff.

"Love's greatest episode"

This reminded me of Maxwell when I first heard it, It has that kind of Neo Soul feel. This is a brilliant track about how a love develops over the course of getting to know each other to when you are both in love with each other. Great stuff.

"Sensitive Lover"

This is a very nice mellow track with a nice flowing beat and some great backing from the strings. This track is about when you are so much in love with your partner that you have to tell them how much you care about them and what you think they do for you and what you like about them.

BONUS TRACKS

"Change"

This is an interesting track with a sweet female voice that is very striking, The female vocal is by "Lylit" this is a very good track despite the beat that could have been better if it was slightly more taut but this is a very worthy bonus track.

"We Need to Roll"

This features Mario and Trey Songz and is a very good track which works really well, This is another track though that could have been a little better with a softer more taut beat. Very good though and a worthy bonus track on this album.

"Man In your life"

This features "The Game" and the heavy beat is just right, This works really well and the hooks in the background add a nice touch. I am not a fan of "The Game" but his contribution on this track is decent enough. Good end to the album.

**Overall**

This is a very strong eighth album from Joe Thomas, It has the usual combination of love ballads and up tempo tracks, This is another very solid album that further enhances his legacy as an artist. I can't wait to see him perform some of these songs live. He is one of the best male R&B
singers around at the moment and on this evidence he could be around for a lot longer. Very good album that only loses a star on the basis of the beat of some of the songs.

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