Lionel Richie is a man who can’t slow down. In addition to his upcoming appearance on Dick Clark’s ABC special, “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the singer/songwriter is shifting into promotion mode for his next studio album, “Just Go.”

Set for release February 17th, the album is currently represented by the single “Good Morning.” The mid-tempo song stands at No. 35 on Billboard’s Adult R&B chart after three weeks.

“Lionel Richie 2009 … What does he sound like? That’s the question I asked everyone,” says Richie of working with several of the hottest names in contemporary R&B/hip-hop. “Some of these guys don’t always necessarily deal with true melody. But we were committed to melody from beginning to end. They knew I wasn’t going to break into a rap,” he adds with a laugh.

The resulting album picks up where 2006’s “Coming Home” left off, with Richie describing “Just Go” as a “little more pop with a fabulous R&B foundation.”

Richie’s musical handiwork also appears on the current compilation “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement.” Inspired by president-elect Barack Obama’s campaign, the set includes songs by Sheryl Crow, John Mayer and Kanye West. Richie contributed the original song “Eternity,” which also includes Obama speech excerpts.

“There are very few chances to write a song that marks a moment in history,” says Richie who, with Michael Jackson, co-wrote the 1985 benefit anthem, “We Are the World.”

“Being able to use Obama’s voice gave me the weight I needed to say everything I wanted to.”

This is an edited version of an article written by Gail Mitchell for Billboard. For more information on Lionel Richie you can visit his website, lionelrichie.com.

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