On his debut album, Carl Thomas offers more of the well-sung, romantic R&B that never seems to fall out of favor. Unfortunately, while the Puffy Combs-executive-produced Emotional is perhaps a must-own for diehard fans of the genre, it seems less than inspired when compared with, say, Brian McKnight's state-of-the-art Back at One. All the elements are in place here--a guest shot by Kelly Price on "Giving You All My Love," a Stevie Wonder sample on "Summer Rain"--but for all its intended late-night aphrodisiacal potential, the music sounds flat in the bright light of day. The hilariously mumbled come-on interlude "Cadillac Rap," though, does hint at what Thomas might be capable of if he dared to buck the formula. --Rickey Wright