Robin Thicke is "Something Else"

Robin Thicke is back and is most definitely working it out! I have got to admit that whenever I think of him, I cannot resist thinking of the lyrics; "Play That Funky Music White Boy" - (just kidding Robin) but you know I'm just being real (lol).

Anywho, I had the opportunity to check out his newest album and he does not disappoint. Robin is fresh, PHINE (urban for gorgeous) and fabulous as ever. Thicke says ; "It's time for hope and change, It's in the air," which is why the CD is aptly titled "Something Else." Thicke also adds, "I do think at the core of every great existence is an abundance of love and joy, and the only way to create that is to give it."

With tunes that include, Gamble and Huff-inspired horn arrangements "Hard on My Love", the dance floor invitation "Side Step", slow romance jam "Lover man," politically conscious "Tie My Hands (featuring Lil Wayne) and the disco infused single "Magic" Thicke is certainly - back in full effect.

A Los Angeles native by birth, Thicke grew up with R&B and hip-hop. "I was listening to Kurtis Blow at 8, NWA at 12, Jodeci and Mary J. at 14 and Boyz II Men and Babyface soon after," Thicke says. "I didn't even listen to rock and roll music until I was 17. André Harrell (then president of Bad Boy Entertainment and mentor to Mary J. Blige and Puff Daddy) has been quoted as saying (about Thicke) ,"I heard the lanky white kid and was dumbstruck. I heard what Martin Luther King, Jr. described in his dream of a new America: a place where a white man in the San Fernando Valley can feel Detroit, Harlem and the blues."

About his new release, Thicke seems to channel The spirit of Michael Jackson, explaining that; "Michael is the epitome of celebration, and the core of this album has that: It's celebratory, healing, loving music" and to further make that connection, he borrows from the horn section used on Jackson's "You Wanna Be Starting Something," from the 1979 classic, Off the Wall. The album however, makes every attempt to transcend generations, "I kept the kids on some songs and the adults on others, so it's the sound of young and old coming together" - Thicke summarized.

Something Else reflects the mood evoked by writing sessions that took place in different cities; "New York is the center of information, so I took a few trips there and set up a big studio," Thicke says. Songs like "Sidestep" and "Something Else" with their heavy, insistent grooves, were the result. "Paris is the center of romance," he says, "and I went there, and found 'Sweetest Love,' 'You're My Baby' and 'Miss Harmony."

Now, if you don't know about Mr. Robin Thicke - or if you need a little reminder, his first album, A Beautiful World was released in 2003 and produced the hit song, "When I Get You Alone," paving the way for his breakthrough second release, 2006's The Evolution Of Robin Thicke. That second "Thicke attack" brought us the mega hit "Lost Without U" which became the #1 most played song in Urban Adult Contemporary BDS and topped four Billboard charts simultaneously: #1 R&B /Hip Hop album, #1 Hot R&B / Hip Hop song, #1 Hot R&B Hip Hop Airplay, and #1 Hot Adult R&B Airplay. Oh, and did I mention two back to back appearances on OPRAH?

If that was not enough, the year 2007 concluded with the VH1 Soul/ Vibe award for "Best Breakthrough Artist" and nominations from BET ("Best Male R&B" and "Viewer's Choice"), Soul Train ("Best R&B Soul Album, Male"), MTV VMA ("Male Artist of the Year"), MOBO (Best Song, "Lost Without U"), the American Music Awards ("Favorite Breakthrough Artist") and "Lost Without You" was named ASCAP's ("Song Of The Year").

If I've got you all excited again about Robin, you can catch the new CD in stores beginning 9/30/08 and will be on tour with Ms. Mary J. Blige beginning 9/19/08. Yes, Robin is not only "Thicke" y'all, the man is most definitely - SOMETHING ELSE!