Conquer

Carl Thomas | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 6, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Verve Forecast
• ASIN: B0058OA6V6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,922 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2011 album from the R&B vocalist. For the recording of Conquer, Thomas enlisted some of today's top producers, including Andre Harris (formerly of multi-platinum production duo Dre & Vidal) who produced the smooth and seductive title track which opens with a quiet tempest of strings--the kind you hear during a pivotal scene of a spaghetti Western--and "Round 2," about his request to repeat an intimate encounter with a beautiful woman to jar his memory. Conquer continues with the Rex Rideout-(Ledisi) produced "It Is What It Is" which was written by hip-hop legend Heavy D and showcases Thomas' effortless ability to ride rhythms and skillfully ad-lib all at once; the romantic wedding ballad "I Do" which was written by Thomas and produced by The Internz (Justin Bieber) conveys the groom's point of view as he watches his gorgeous bride walk down the aisle; and the Mario Winans-produced "It Ain't Fair" whose production style works in perfect tandem with Thomas' subtle yet urgent delivery as he continues his grown-man flirts and adulation of a angelically beautiful woman.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars After the long wait...it conquers! December 6, 2011

By Kishman Spence

Format:Audio CD

I'm a huge Carl Thomas fan! I loved 'Emotional', enjoyed 'Let's Talk About It' - but thought Carl lost it a bit on his 3rd project (So Much Better). Since then he's been all but absent from the scene. Until now - The Real Carl Thomas delivers on this album it has all the soulful sounds of Emotional, but real maturity. It's the kind of album that takes you back to the sound of 80's with the modern beats of the 21st century all wrapped around timeless love ballads. A real jem for those who appreciate love ballads!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Same Blood--Different Vein. December 28, 2011

By D. Baker

Format:Audio CD

Not counting the #11 track, which is the remix of DON'T KISS ME, there was only 5 songs that sounded like it was tailor-made for Carl Thomas. The other 5 sounded as if they were to be made for other male artists. They didn't have that special made flava that was placed in his past recordings, of which I own all of them. I didn't get it. Tracks 5,6,8,9 & 10 were the best for me and I even dug the remix (track 11). Snoop wasn't really needed, but his imput didn't hurt it either. The musical blood of this cd was good enough to listen to, but on a whole, only a real fan would really appreciate it, of which I thought I was. I believe I am....just not of his latest release.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One word AMAZING!!!!! December 10, 2011

By Serenity

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I gotta say this is a good cd. It may take you 3 times to listen to it. but it grows on you. Carl Thomas Vocals are soothing and just amazing. I definately miss music like this. If you want to here real meaniful music listen to this cd. Carl Thomas but his heart this one and you can definately tell. it aint fair is one of my favorites along with most of the songs on the cd. Definately buy this cd it won't dissapoint.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Carl Thomas gets radio friendly on "Conquer" February 8, 2012

By Perverted Alchemist

Format:Audio CD

It's been a roller coaster ride for Carl Thomas these last fifteen years. He originally made his debut on The Notorious B.I.G.'s 1997 album "Life After Death" on the song "The World Is Filled...". A few years later, he released his debut album "Emotional" which featured his signature song about an affair with a married woman "I Wish". While he saw instant success within the first few years of his career, the next few years saw several twists and turns. For starters, he waited four years to release his sophomore album "Let's Talk About It". Also hindering the album was Carl's brother getting killed during its promotion and Bad Boy Entertainment showing indifference to the project- which caused the album to sink before it got a chance to swim. Carl left Bad Boy and signed with the indie label Umbrella Recordings for his next project "So Much Better". Ironically, his best album got little to no promotion and to make matters even worse, Umbrella's label head former MCA/Motown executive Jheryl Busby died a year after the album was released. After laying low for a few years, Carl resurfaced on Verve Forecast Records and released his long awaited fourth LP "Conquer".

On this new album, he reunites with old collaborators from the past. Producers include Andre Harris of the production duo Dre & Vidal on the sensual "Round 2" and the title track "Conquer", Mike City on the ballad "Sweet Love" and the northern soul inspired "It's Not The Same", Mario Winans on "It Ain't Fair" and the late Heavy D. on "It Is What It Is". Carl brings in Rico Love on the Salaam Remi-esque sound of "Long Distance Love Affair" as well as the 70's influenced first single "Don't Kiss Me". He brings in J.R.... Hutson (Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Eric Roberson) on the album opener "The Night Is Yours" and closes the album with the inspirational power ballad "Running". While it's nice to have Carl Thomas back after a long absence, "Conquer" falls short on expectations. A lot of it has to do with material that sounds like he's trying to reach the younger crowd. Songs that sound out of place for him would have went over better with the likes of Ne-Yo or Trey Songz. In any case, it's okay but is well below of what fans would expect from Carl. Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars round 4 December 11, 2011

By muziq luva

Format:Audio CD

unlike the other comment, it did not take three listens for me to love this album. the only thing i do not like about albums in todays' world, there are not enough songs... anyway, i had listened to some of the tracks on youtube before the release date... all i can say is mr. carl did his thing from front-to-back with this album! my stand out tracks are: 'long distance love affair', 'conquer', 'it ain't fair', 'sweet love', 'running', and of course the lead single, 'don't kiss me' and the remix w/ snoop is nice... i honestly can say this year has been a great comeback for r&b, and mr. carl, indeed, made his contribution at keepig it consistent. we have one more, and that's mr. anthony hamilton (12/13)...... but back to mr. thomas, you do not need to give this album a second thought. get it! it's worth every penny.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Eehhh! January 15, 2012

By LadyLuv Lavoe

Format:Audio CD

Damn what can I say Carl Thomas is my duud. . Been a fan from the beginning ;) however Im not sure what occures between artist and producers. . . egos, respect whatever, I don't doubt the music industry is challenging but when Carl was with BadBoy the albums were bangers!! The third project with Bungalo Records that one was struggling. Now Carl's vocals stay flawless unlike some artist that take a break come back and lose they sound because they are second guessing there talents; but carl's production is not matching his soulful melodious voice. . period. What a disappointment because many talk so much ish about BadBoy but throughout history R&B music that is pushed out from the lable are classics that's why the Queen of HipHop Soul went back *side eyes* So with that said he needs to go back and make that full circle of soul he's lacking that soulful production. . .arrangments, some of the lyrics and vocal game sill tight though just need that sound baby. . . once a fan always a loyal fan ;) carl still got my love just gonna paiently wait to hear you bring it on back. . .shoot waited severel projects for MJB to figure the ish out. . Lol