With the release of his much-anticipated third album Life Goes On, Donell Jones hopes his "most romantic creation so far," will inspire a "coast to coast baby boom."

"This album is by far my best work, even better than my first two and reveals more about myself and my life." The Chicago-bred performer spoke recently from his hotel suite in New York City. "I took a chance experimenting with new sounds, like strings and live percussion. Also, I was able to showcase some truly underrated producers like Teflon and Route 80, who were able to provide me with some great beats." Jones is sure the result will make "cats feel the sexy vibe, which I hope will help them succeed in the love department."

Life Goes On, set to be released in June, has a more mature sound than Jones' critically acclaimed second album, Where I Wanna Be (for which he earned an American Music Award for Best New R&B Artist in 2000). The recently debuted single "You Know That I Love You," which is a tribute to Jones' special lady is being well received in the U.S. and is currently spinning on FLOW 93.5 FM in Toronto and The Beat in Vancouver. Wayne Williams, FLOW's new music director said the track is getting lots of positive feedback from listeners. "It sounds awesome on the air, straight-up R&B, just a notch up from a ballad." Williams added that Jones' new single is a favourite with female listeners.

But it is the wildly seductive "Do U Wanna" track, written for a friend "to help him create the perfect evening" that is sure to set his loyal listeners on fire. "Love always inspires me," admits the avid basketball player who includes Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Babyface as his musical influences. "And this song is going to really get you in the mood for loving."

Donell Jones grew up on Chicago's gang-ridden south side and remembers "the gang life having a strong pull on young kids" and credits his parents influence with helping him escape the seduction of the streets. "My parents had to work all the time and knew I needed some direction. Mom gave me an electric keyboard when I was 11 so I trained myself to play. And I was inspired by my Dad's talent as a gospel singer and love for R&B songs," the soon-to-be 29-year-old Gemini explained. "My friends and I formed a group and we started to do some shows. The rest is history as they say."

Discovered in 1993 at a Black Radio Exclusive talent showcase in Washington, Jones was immediately signed to Atlanta-based LaFace Records. The artist went on to pen tracks for stars like Usher and Silk and contributed vocal arrangements on Madonna's 1994 hit album Bedtime Stories. Considered by many to be a "younger, more street-orientated BabyFace," Jones second album went platinum with its title track "Where I Wanna Be" sitting atop Billboard's R&B singles chart for eight weeks.

When asked what he advises young people living in the projects or poverty-stricken communities to give them hope, Jones didn't mince his words or pretend he had all the answers. "I know from experience it's the toughest thing in the world. You see the expensive clothes and the jewelry and they get all the girls," says Jones, speaking of the influences gang leaders had in his tough neighbourhood in Chicago. "I tell kids to dream and believe in themselves. They can do anything they want in life if they set their minds to it." Jones adds a warning "But, if you choose the gang life, there are only two ways out - jail or dead."

This latest album, a well-crafted mix of hip-hop-inspired dance songs and beautiful ballads, highlights a multi-talented young man with a bright future. "After I finish touring this next year, which I hope includes dates in Canada because y'all have the most beautiful women up there, I want to focus my attention towards producing."

Jones is currently promoting a young R&B/pop artist named Nilyne and would love to move into producing movie scores and possibly acting in the future. But right now he's enjoying his success living on the east coast with his young daughters and long-time girlfriend.

Donell Jones' Life Goes On may not create a population explosion but its soulful tunes will certainly help set the mood in his many fans' bedrooms.

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