Joe Thomas, better known as Joe, the quintessential 1990s American R&B crooner, best known for a string of soulful romantic classics, returns to Nairobi for an eagerly awaited concert tonight, more than 13 years after he first performed in the city.
After making his debut as a 20-year-old in 1993, Joe became a prolific star of that decade with a catalogue of hits that turned him into a household name the world over.
Here in Kenya, his music became a staple on the playlists of radio station in the 1990s and the popularity of his songs has transcended generations.
As the veteran singer takes to the stage in Nairobi tonight as part of a tour that has already seen him perform sold-out shows in Kampala and Dar es Salaam, here are 10 essential songs from Joe’s discography.
I’m in Luv
Joe was just 20 in 1993, pictured on the sleeve of his debut album Everything wearing his cap back to front. This upbeat R&B track flavoured with dancehall “Toasting” by Brown Man was the pick of that album whose style was largely hard-edged New Jack Swing in keeping with the trend of black urban music at the time.
All The Things (Your Man Won’t Do)
Four years after his debut, Joe returned with the follow up, All That I Am and the sheer class of songwriting, the strength of his vocals and the overall production has made this album an absolute classic.
The opening track, All The Things (Your Man Won’t Do) builds the anticipation for the rest of the high-quality set. The song had first been released a year earlier than the album when it was featured on the soundtrack to the comedy Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice In the Hood. The spoken word intro, sensual lyrics delivered with genuine sincerity and a sweet guitar solo make for an outstanding arrangement.
The Love Scene
The tempo drops slightly and the lights get dimmer on the second track of the album All That I Am as Joe paints a vivid picture of “a love scene steamy and blue”. Even the most emotionally hardened person would find it difficult to resist being swept up by the heights to which Joe takes this scorcher.
Good Girls
Another sparkling tune from All That I Am – how good was the album! Here Joe moans about the heartbreak of always falling for the girl who is already taken and the frustration is clear when he asks: “why are all you good girls taken every time”. The single topped the R&B charts in the US in 1997.
All That I AM
When he performed at the Bomas of Kenya in 2013, Joe, perched on a high stool with his guitar, swept the crowd away with an acoustic medley of All That I AM and No One Else Comes Close.
The two songs are placed next to each other sequentially on the album, but the title track just slightly edges it because it is so beautifully produced with lyrics expressing the sincerity of love.
Stutter
Another mid-tempo R&B jam showcasing Joe’s versatility as a multi-dimensional artiste who has over the years, in addition to his well-loved ballads, also been adept at dropping energetic dance grooves. Produced by the pioneer of 1990s New Jack Swing, Teddy Riley, Stutter, is from his third and most successful album to date, My Name Is Joe released in 2000.
I Wanna Know
No doubt about Joe’s signature tune and his most streamed song (more than 230 million plays on Spotify alone). It was a major success for him hitting No 4 on the main US pop singles charts, the Billboard Hot 100 and one of the biggest hits of 2000. The song also appeared on the soundtrack to the 1999 film The Wood.
I Believe in You (featuring NSYNC)
Another classic from My Name Is Joe and one that was such a huge radio favourite. It is not hard to see why the song still resonates with audiences, because Joe’s soulful voice matches the pop-oriented harmonies of one of the most successful boy bands of the 1990s, NSYNC. Together, the vocals blend perfectly on this romantic masterpiece with a chorus that captured the hearts of millions around the world.
What If a Woman
Released as the second single from his fourth studio album Better Days in 2001, Joe pricks the conscience of the man by asking if he could handle a woman, who just like him, is always “working late” leaving him “home with the kids” and “running the streets”. Lyrically, this is one of Joe’s strongest songs and, fingers crossed, should be on his concert setlist tonight.
Ride Wit You (featuring G-Unit)
Whenever Joe collaborates with rappers, from Fat Joe to Mystikal, his personality adds melody and soul to the raw edges of hip hop. And so, it was when he combined with 50 Cent and his G-Unit crew on this head-bopping jam from Joe’s fifth album And Then…in 2003.
In the midst of their contrasting musical styles, the artistes found a connection between rapid-fire rap bars and smooth, soulful rhythms.
