CeeLo Green spent a little over a year out of the spotlight and hasn’t released new music in almost five (save his 2012 Christmas LP). The last year was controversial at best: Green was sentenced to three years probation following a no contest plea after authorities charged him with supplying ecstasy to a woman. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office brought that case to court after dropping sexual battery charges, citing insufficient evidence.

The last public report on Green’s probation came in May, and it was completely positive. Green, nee Thomas DeCarlo Calloway, complied with all conditions, and a judge relieved the singer of having to attend any further court hearings. It seems the experiences of his past year have affected his creative process, but not necessarily changed the former “Voice” coach.

“I’ve endured quite a bit, and I’ve experienced quite a bit,” Green told me as we chatted for a few minutes about his forthcoming album, Heart Blanche. “I’m at the time of my life where, I just felt like more mature music needs to co-exist. It’s definitely from the same signature soul perspective of CeeLo Green and even more introspective and reflective, but still enjoyable and entertaining.”

I followed up by asking if he is reflecting on the past year in these songs; he confirmed that and elaborated.

“It’s a culmination of that (and) just a desire to kind of get back in and contribute again,” Green responded. “You just feel like you’re being idle.”

But while the “Forget You” artist probably wasn’t moving at the pace he had grown accustomed to, he was far from idle. Green recorded his new LP while fulfilling community service requirements with Volunteers of America, working with homeless veterans. And his therapist said that anytime Green was asked about his upcoming project, he exhibited a “genuine humbleness.” During our conversation, we talked about “humanity” and “humility” as two central traits of the to-be-released LP.

“You ever heard the term, ‘carte blanche’?” he asked after I inquired about the new album’s title. “It means, ‘one who has the ability to act as he wishes, behave, create.’ You know what I’m saying?

“Heart Blanche, music being a matter of the heart.”

The album drops November 13. Surely Green will continue making the media rounds to promote the album, but in between now and then, there’s also that small little holiday called Halloween.

“It’s very ironic. I’m more prone to kind of dress up on a normal day and not just for Halloween,” he joked. “But I don’t know, we’ll do something wacky.”

Listen to “Ralphie Tonight” weeknights from 7 p.m. to midnight on 97 BHT.

By Ralphie Aversa | For Weekender

Ralphie with CeeLo Green.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Ralphie2.jpgRalphie with CeeLo Green. Submitted photo