Up Close & Personal with CARL THOMAS

As I anticipate my conversation with Carl Thomas, I can't help but to think about his debut album 'Emotional' released in 2000 offering more of the well-sung, romantic R&B that never seems to fall out of favor. Eight years later Carl Thomas is back with a new album and new outlook on life. UPGRADE caught up with Carl to discuss how this bad boy turned good and what his fans can expect in 2008.

UPGRADE: It's a new year, a new label and a new album, give us all the details. What's the name of the album? When will the album be released?

CARL: Well the New label is Thom-tunes it's my own imprint. It's time for me to lend my knowledge and R&B skillz to the new crop of R&B crooners. The new project is currently untitled but I'm leaning toward labeling it 'Feeling Sexy' and it's due to be released late summer 08' around September. Just in time for the love makers to choose there winter partners...lol.

UPGRADE: For any of our readers who may not know, you are no longer on Bad Boy Records. How has it been transitioning to Umbrella Recordings?

CARL: Well the transition was a very tedious project. Coming out from underneath one of the games greatest ever executives like Diddy...to working with a legend in the game for the countless works he has contributed like Jheryl Busby is a whole lot of checking the product. Then double checking it. Then checking it again! Then getting it ready for my people, my friends, and my fans, to hear it and hopefully make and fall in love to it! Lol

UPGRADE: 'So Much Better' was the first project you put out on your own. What did you learn from that project going into the 4th album?

CARL: Well the most important lesson of all I learned is that 'My responsibility and commitment to my true love (R&B), should never be compromised by the things I'm going thru personally. People let me and my music into the homes, hearts and personal spaces... that's huge! What I didn't realize is that while I'm off fighting my personal demons. Those people who depend on my artistry don't have me there to help them deal with theirs (demons). That's selfish of me...Don't worry I wont stay gone away that long anymore without at least Calling...lol

UPGRADE: We got a chance to listen to one of your new songs called 'Love Gone'. 'Love Gone' is really smooth and sultry, yet full of pain and emotion. What were you going through at the time you wrote this song?

CARL: That is exactly what I'm talking about...that song' Love Gone' is a metaphor it's really about my relationship with her... 'R&B' she sooooo sexy! They (radio stations and record labels) keep trying to hook her up with other cats... (John Legend, Musiq, and now J.Holiday, Trey Songs and even Chris Brown tried to holla! ) Good try young fella's but I still got keys to the front door, so don't be there when I get Home! Lol .

UPGRADE: I'm a fan of R&B remixes with a splash of Hip-Hop. A couple artists that I think would be nice additions to the track would be Kayne West, Jay-Z, Nas, Big Boi or Lil Wayne. How would you feel about working with those artists on this track or some other tracks on your CD?

CARL: Well, I have in the past and will continue to work with other artist. Kanye and I did 'My baby don't love me', Jay Z and I did a song together with Allen Iverson 'Living The Single Life' on A.I's album, plus Jay Z put my line' I Wish I never met her at all' in his famous song. People fail to remember that I used to be the self proclaimed King of R&B hooks; before Nate Dog stole my crown('the World is filled' feat. Biggie, P. Diddy and Too Short). I did a song with 2pac, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Left Eye, Eight Ball & MJG, Ghost Face . . . man the list just goes on and on! So yes, I'm open for that! I'm still early in the project!

For more of Carl Thomas pick up the current issue of UPGRADE on newsstands now or SUBSCRIBE today.