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THE UK MUSIC CORNER: Joe's 'New Man' CD reviewed
With his new album New Man, surprisingly he has not written most of the songs. But then, when you have music stalwarts such as Bryan Michael Cox penning your tracks, success is somewhat guaranteed. The opening track E.R. has clever lyrics likening a relationship to drama in a hospital.
Joe’s career has been revived by his move to an independent label partnering with the Kedar Entertainment Group and 563 Entertainment. Away from the shadow of Jive label mates such as R.Kelly, whom Joe has alleged tried to sabotage his career; with this offering, Joe may start to get more of the recognition he deserves.
Grammy nominee Joe, who has sold over 10 million CDs worldwide, is one of America’s R&B stars who perform in the UK regularly. UK fans sometimes assume that this means we get the stars that are received less favourably at home. Perhaps this is true in Joe’s case, if his claims of sabotage are accurate. But his achievement of topping Billboard’s Top Independent albums chart and reaching number 8 in Billboard’s 200 chart tells a different story.
At least Joe is one of the few American R&B musicians who actually deliver a decent show when he does visit UK shores. A live version of the second single Why Just be friends would be worth the ticket. The up-tempo title track and Chameleon are other highlights.
The album doesn’t appear to be a departure from the norm for Joe neither in form nor content – be assured that it is full of slow tempo numbers – the perfect backdrop for chilling.
The new man is about to drop the follow up Signature in February 2009, with all songs self-written, self-produced and self-arranged. Snippets from the forthcoming set are included on the current CD, they appear to promise a more classic and timeless feel that you can indulge in.
R&B connoisseurs may be divided over this album as good music is as subjective as wine tasting, and the word is not out yet on the new line of Kedar’s K’orus French wine Joe has branched out into distributing across the U.S.
Perhaps Joe should get drunk on power, judging from the snippets, he is best when he is in full control of his set, but New Man demonstrates that 15 years later Joe is still in love with music.
The UK Corner covers the UK/British soul/urban music scene and is written by Fiona McKinson. She is a freelance journalist and creative writer based in London. Contact her at info@thetalentshow.co.uk.
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