by Ed HoganBad Boy/Arista recording artist Carl Thomas' major label debut was certainly Emotional. The buzz caused by the airplay of the not-available-to-retail single "I Wish" -- not to be confused with the Stevie Wonder classic -- from the urban R&B singer's Emotional album was such that the release date was moved up to April 18, 2000. Speaking of Wonder, Thomas used excepts from "Summer Soft" from Wonder's 1976 two-record/bonus EP set Songs in the Key of Life on his own "Summer Rain." A hit on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, the mid-tempo groover "I Wish" is a great introduction to singer/songwriter Thomas' soulful vocals and substantial sense of great lyrics (lyrics that speak to a keen observational and empathic view) and that recall the heydays of R&B/soul music. Thomas wrote or co-wrote 11 of the album's 15 tracks. He also co-produced several tracks for Emotional, whose lineup of producers also includes Mario Winans, Mike...