And Then...

Joe maintains his steady recording output with And Then..., another in a line of his generally solid if not overly exceptional albums highlighted by a couple standout cuts. For And Then... Joe collaborates with a few talented producer/songwriters, namely R. Kelly ("More & More," "Make You My Baby") and Roy "Royalty" Hamilton ("Sweeter Than Sugar," "And Then...," "Street Dreams"), who handle approximately half the album. Kevin "Shekspere" Briggs, another top-notch contemporary R&B songsmith, also contributes a small late-album gem, "Bedroom." As always, Joe is only as good as the songs he's singing — he's a fine vocalist with a smooth delivery and a velvety tone, but not necessarily outstanding on his own — and here he's in really good hands, especially on the aforementioned Kelly and Hamilton songs, which rank among the very best of his career.