Joe

Joe Thomas widely known as R&B singer Joe is a ‘New Man' today. After a ten year stint with Jive Records where he released two platinum albums including 2000s "My Name Is Joe," the R&B singer is now ready take chances with his latest effort entitled "New Man" due September 23rd. Teaming up with his manager of 15 years, Kedar Massenberg, and with a new label home, Joe has come back stronger than ever in what may be called a soulful and creative emancipation. "Of course there is a happiness that comes with independence, but I also felt more confident in the studio" says Joe, who has taken more creative control on his latest effort. "I was able to work at my own pace, choose my collaborators and sing the truth." With the release of two singles this month, including the recently premiered video/single "Why Just Be Friends" Joe believes he is on the right track with his new album which includes contributions from Nas, Busta Rhymes, Mario, Trey Songz, Snoop Dogg and Diddy. The album, which is the first of two new releases from the R&B crooner, also features production from Bryan Michael Cox, Stereotypes, and D'Mile who produced Joe's second single "ER." "All of us know what it's like to be feeling somebody who might not be feeling you" laughs Joe when asked about the new single. He goes on to say "For a lot of guys it's not about what they have, but what they want." Joe continues to dig deep into his own psyche throughout the album with songs like "Man In Your Life," "Sorry" and "Triple Black Room" citing the genius of Marvin Gaye and Donnie Hathaway as inspiration. However, the surprise track on the album is "We Need To Roll," a club ballad where the singer got a chance to make another musical dream come true. "I recorded that song with Trey Songz and Mario, because you almost never hear R&B guys singing together," Joe explains. "I remember how hyped I was when Quincy Jones put out ‘The Secret Garden,' and I wanted that kind of vibe on the record." Once nicknamed "the Casanova crooner" by Hip-Hop Soul magazine, New Man proves that Joe has lost none of his spunk or flavor. If anything, dude has simply gotten better. Joe's "New Man" is due September 23rd on Kedar Entertainment Group/Universal.