Joe is back in the studio working on the follow-up to his double-platinum My Name Is Joe and has already co-written four songs with producer Joshua Thompson.

"Joe is expanding his scope," Thompson said. "It's got the classic Joe elements, but I think it's going to mark his transition to being a real Marvin Gaye-type artist. He knows his place in R&B history."

Thompson, who co-wrote five songs on My Name Is Joe, said he wanted to keep Joe's new sound, and even the song titles, under wraps, but said he always tries to push the artists he works with.

"I never put a limit on them, because I always believe they can do more," said Thompson, who also produced O-Town's hit "Liquid Dreams" and songs on the upcoming Usher and Luther Vandross albums.

Joe and Thompson began laying down tracks in early January at Thompson's home studio in West Orange, New Jersey. No release date has been set for the album, which will be Joe's fourth.

Joe is nominated for three Grammys, including Best R&B Album, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance (for "I Wanna Know") and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or a Group With Vocal for "Coming Back Home," with BeBe Winans and Brian McKnight.

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