Interesting scenario.  A man takes pen in hand, writes 9 of the 10 tracks to feature on his debut release (due in stores on March 2), adds one hot cover by the one and only gloved one, Michael Jackson (just for extra flava, I suppose), and boldly steps out into the groove-laden world of smooth jazz and instantly begins making his mark. Hmm… Now, that could work. In fact, in the case of Michael J Thomas, it does.  Saxman Thomas delivers on City Beat the kind of self-confidence and stand-up solid material that has ushered in so many of our smooth jazz greats today.

Despite being born and raised in a part of the country that proudly struts its country music like a badge (i.e., Kentucky), Thomas was fed a steady diet of Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Prince by his super-hip parents.  Talk about going against the grain!
 
Thomas obviously knows home when he sees it, as he’s honed right in on smooth jazz like an old neighbor.  With equal amounts of sway (the opening track, "Midtown Manhattan," and the title track) and respect for the genre (the soothing allure of the more mellow tracks), the artist thoroughly enjoys his seduction of this music.  Stepping to pieces like his warm, hook-sweet tune called "Wedding Song (Forever and Always)" and demonstrating why it should be the song in demand at all weddings, he then takes you on  a bright, high-steppin’ walk with “30-A Degrees.” By the way, lovebirds, I have to single out "Wedding Song" only because, yes, you play this one whenever you need to remember why you married him or her in the first place, and you’ll fall in love all over again.
 
Remember how you felt when you first heard “Billie Jean” by MJ? Well, this is not MJ, and I make no assertions whatsoever that it is, but this young man gets his own groove off the ground with his own movin’ and shakin’ version here. Not a snoozer by any stretch.

A big fan of catchy hooks, I couldn’t help noticing the beauty of the mid-tempo “Pretty Skin” and the slick and funky “Mind Your Step,” with its own hot hook. In fact, the hooks throughout are full, catchy, and attractive.  Appropriately so, the album ends on a stout dose of funk and a grabbing hook to take it all “home.”

I strongly know that Thomas’ parents are beaming with pride at the man they had hoped would benefit from that diet of R&B and pop.  They have every reason to do so.  He has already shown that he’s a natural at this and only needed to be taken lightly by the shoulder and turned in our direction.  Thanks, Mom and Dad Thomas! --  Ronald Jackson