Reviews (7)

OK, so it's a bit eclectic...
I think that was the whole idea behind this collection. Country, folk, stadium rock, R & B, pop, Motown, funk, disco, and a little jazz; it's all there. Sure you could argue that some really great songs from the 70's have not been included, but this is a compilation of Sony owned music; some of these records I remember as being on ABC Records and Epic. I grew up in the 70's and I would recommend this collection just for the cheap trip down memory lane!

Great compilation CD!
This CD series has a bunch of really great songs from the 70's - early to late. It is a winner for the value ratio too! Check it out and you'll love what you hear.

This is a slack compilation
I think the seventies have many more representative hits than the offered in this compilation. A good compilation needs at least 10 cd's to bring together the highlights of "golden era of music production" This is not a good stuff to buy. I recomend AM Gold Collection, Superhits of the 70's (have a nice day) - rated by myself as the best - , a year of your life, and others.

Garden Variety Compilation
The sound is good, and that earns my three stars. What some call eclectic, I call incoherent. There's no theme. It's a random post-mortem of 70s pop that includes one of the most hated tunes of that era: "Arizona", by Mark Lindsey. Where's the masterpieces? There are none. The 70s deserves much better recognition than is offered here. This is not testimony, it's nearly slander.

Must Have Multi-Set
so many Great songs here.this really captures the 70's&it's full range of styles&Artists that represented the time period.this was the Era of Songwriters&story-telling.I have all of these songs be it on the Artists Albums or on other sets this 3 Disc Set is a Must have. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In an era of fast-food divas and ready-made starlets, finding the genuine article is often as hard as finding a needle in a haystack. Anita Baker could not have picked a better time for her return to music. After a decade-long hiatus, the soulful songstress returns with her eagerly anticipated Blue Note debut, My Everything.

The 10-track disc doesn't disappoint. Lush, emotive, and gorgeous are a few words that come to mind when listening to the Toledo, OH native's album. Lead single "You're My Everything" opens the album with an infectiously smooth groove that reminiscent of her classics. The album also includes "You're My Everything Revisited," a jazzy interpolation of the aforementioned single. Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds joins Baker on "Like You Used to Do." The ballad, with its warm electric guitar-accented backdrop, evokes a classic R&B sound without dating itself. Other standouts include "I Can't Sleep," and the heavenly "Close Your Eyes."

If the album had any real flaws, it's that Baker's serene sound rarely wavers. Still, "My Everything" could serve as a tutorial to aspiring R&B singers on what it means to deliver music with style, class, and true artistry. --Rashaun Hall ... Read more

Reviews (11)

The Meters bring the Bayou funk with the Cymande touch
If you love The Meters and you've never heard of Cymande (sah-mahn-day) then you got to check this out. The Meters brought down home Bayou funk to the table. But they also had some of that Carribean feel to them. Well, Cymande takes it to the next level of deep funk, carribean reggae and jazz blends. Cymande "The Soul of Rasta" available here on Amazon is a must have.

These original funky brothers from all hailing from the West Indies created the most amazing and invigorating fusion of funk and african reggae ever heard.

Most famously sampled by the Fugees, De La Soul ,EPMD and many others. Cymande is one of the most sampled bands in Hip Hop ever.

However, no longer is this band hip hop's little secret. This album allows new listeners to hear the great original tracks in a re mastered format. Featuring "Brother's on the Slide" and "Listen". This is an anthology of their most memorable material from the original 3 LPs recorded the between 1972-1974 in London, UK. Its unfortunate that their amazing musicianship was too unique for the period.

Yet today people are rediscovering and grooving to these hidden jewels. Dive in and feel the Funk!

funky fun Mardi Gras
I first heard of the Meters from a small time record producer who threw this record my way and its great. The kind of music people that love good music and have huge good music collections love. This is good feeling party music that was made in the seventies and doesn't date, it just remains good like so much New Orleans music does. The Meters still tour too. So watch for them. Another CD to get is The Wild Tchoupitoulas, which was a one album only New Orleans all star group which featured the Meters as well as the not yet formed Neville Brothers. The Meters solo albums are funky and have an upbeat feel to them and they are often lyrically funny but musically they are highly respected and regarded as pioneers. Even though it sounds like they're partying in the studio while recording (which they probably are) they're also doing interesting things blending funk with other styles of play and always listenable. Some of the lyrics will crack you up and this album will put you in a festival going mood every time you hear it and everyone always wants to hear it again once they've heard it. Their live CD is also great and features some extended versions of their classic songs(all here) for true Meter fans and I am one. If you're only gonna own one this is the one.

gotta love it!
what else can be said about the Meters that hasn't already been said? If you like funk and soul, then you need to get this CD.

Relentless New Orleans funk
Nearly all of the The Meters best-known sides are here, including their first hit recordings for Josie from the late '60s and more sophisticated tracks laid down for Reprise through the mid-70s. In addition to the seminal funk-soul of "Cissy Strut" and "Look-Ka Py Py," the Meters offered unusual touches like the banjo-like guitar hook of "Tippi-Toes," the happy-go-lucky organ topping "Soul Island," the 50's styled R&B novelty "The All Ask'd For You," and the New Orleans piano of "Cabbage Alley." Though the later works add horns, wah-wah pedals and even (gasp!) vocals, the Meters remained true to their New Orleans rhythmic roots throughout.

Each of the four original Meters was a master of New Orleans meter, with drummer Joseph "Zig" Modeliste showing especially deep mastery of second-line rhythms. Leo Nocentelli's guitar and Art Neville's keyboards combined in a similar way to the soul sounds heard from Booker T & The MG's, but there was an underlying funkiness (in no small part due to the rhythm battery of Modeliste and bassist George Porter, Jr., but also from the way Nocentelli and Neville played both melody to rhythm) that gave the band its distinctive sound.

This is a nearly perfect single-disc distillation of The Meters brand of rootsy New Orleans funk, with excellent, informative liner notes. Those who need a broader view should check out Rhino's double-disc "Funkify Your Live: The Meters Anthology," but most will find this nearly hour-long disc to be a compelling and sufficiently complete tour through the band's catalog.

GOOD FOR THE SOUL
This cd is a good refresher compared to todays soul and R&B. Todays R&B has nothing to do with rythm and blues. it disguists me. what has the world come to when something as simple as rythm and blues has no rythm or blues in the song. it is sad that soul has gone away i hope people will wake up and listen to good music like hendrix led zepplin and zz top to name a few. ... Read more

Amazon.com

No other Otis compilation quite satisfies the way the old double-LP best-of does, but never mind: any way you hear Redding's many great moments is a good one. The Very Best splits ballads and up-tempo stuff half-and-half, letting you hear the great one's humanity in every mood--the pile-driving rock of "Respect," the preaching fervor of "Try a Little Tenderness," the nascent reflection of "Dock of the Bay." A record collection with no Otis is a poor thing: here's yours. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Can't say enough about Otis
Otis Redding died at the age of 26 in a tragic plane crash. It's sad to think of how much he accomplished in such a short time and makes me think of Buddy Holly if only these two men have lived what other wonderful pieces of music would they have made. Redding's sad and emotionally charged "Sittin on the Dock of the Bay" was recorded only days before he died and remains one of the best known tunes around. It is a masterpiece in itself. His song "Respect" which was made known by Aretha Franklin, she released his song and made it popular even though he wrote it. "Try a little tenderness" is an awesome soul song and if anyone wants to hear a great cover of it check out the Duets Soundtrack which Paul Giamtti and Arnold McCuller covered. "Satisfaction" "Pain in my heart" and the wonderful "These arms of mine" as well as the classicly known "I can't turn you loose" add to the wonder of this collection. A great buy for any Redding fan getting his feet wet.

Otis Sings On The Dock Of The Bay
This CD is great for anybody, ecspecially R&B and soul lovers. I love just about all the songs on this CD. His #1 Pop and R&B hit '(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay', is included. As well as a Rolling Stones cover of 'Satisfaction' and an Aretha Franklin cover of 'Respect'.
What I like about this CD, is that it has 4 bonus tracks included. These songs are 'That's How Strong My Love Is, My Lover's Prayer, The Happy Song (Dum Dum) and I've Got Dreams To Remember.
The sound quality is not the best, but it's descent. Inside the jewel case, there are pictures and a mini biography on Otis Redding (On the inside of the packet that is shown as the front cover.)
I would recommend this CD to anybody. Like the title says, It Is The Best Of Otis Redding.

Another Rising Star Taken From Us Too Early
Otis Redding, born September 9, 1941 in Dawson, Georgia, was one of those rising young stars taken from us - not through alcohol or drug abuse - but by the fickle finger of fate. Like Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Jiles Perry Richardson [The Big Bopper], Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Cowboy Copas, and Jim Reeves [to name just a few], Otis perished in a December 10, 1967 airplane crash.

He was just 26 years old, and already he had 21 R&B hit singles to his credit, most of which also scored on the Billboard Pop Hot 100. Following his death he would have another 10 posthumous hits, including his greatest, Sittin' On The Dock Of Bay, which he recorded just three days before the crash and which ultimately reached # 1 on both the R&B and pop charts early in 1968.

In this first of two 16-track volumes re-issuing earlier vinyl LPs, Rhino includes that hit, along with four bonus tracks, and all 16 [unlike Volume Two] were among his 30 charted hits. It starts off with his first ever hit for the Volt subsidiary of Stax Records, These Arms Of Mine, which hit # 20 R&B/# 85 pop in late March 1963, and also includes one of his hit duets with Carla Thomas [Tramp which reached # 2 R&B/# 26 pop in spring 1967].

The insert contains a complete discography of the contents to go with six pages of notes written by Kevin Phinney and six nice photos of Otis and, in addition [in spite of another review] the AAD sound quality is just fine.

"That girl took that song away from me!!!!
It was the summer of 1967. Otis Redding was in the midst of the performance of his life at Monterey International Pop Festival. What he was referring to of course was the way Aretha Franklin had turned his song "Respect" into one of the biggest hits of the year. His version topped out at #35 on the pop charts a couple of years earlier. But I digress. Otis Redding was just beginning to hit his stride as summer turned to autumn in 1967. This veteran performer had been around for a while. The fact is that up until this point he had made the Billboard Hot 100 a total of 19 times although his records usually ran out of gas somewhere in the middle of the chart. His tunes fared much better on the Soul/R&B charts where 8 of them had made it into the Top Ten. It is really difficult to understand why the man had not had greater commercial success up until this point. After taking a few months off Otis Redding returned to the studio in early December 1967. There he recorded a song he had co-written with Steve Cropper. Everyone thought it was a mistake. His wife hated it. Three days later Otis Redding was dead at 26, a victim of a tragic plane crash in Wisconsin.
When the story appeared in the newspaper I remember thinking to myself "Who is that?" And although I had been collecting records for about three years I had never heard of him. Despite his enormous talent Otis Redding had just not quite connected with general audiences. Less than two months later in January of 1968, Volt records released that tune his wife and friends hated so much. "(Sitting On) The Dock of the Bay" went all the way to #1 on the Pop charts and remained there for a month. Everyone was now beginning to realize just how talented this man had been. There are a few different Otis Redding collections around but I find this to be the best of the lot. You'll hear his version of tunes that went on to become hits by other artists like 1965's "I Can't Turn You Loose" and his dynamic version of the great blues standard "Try A Little Tenderness". In the meantime, you'll also enjoy the exhilirating work of the Stax/Volt house band who were undeniably at their peak during this time. For me other favorites on this compilation are the 1968 hit "The Happy Song (Dum-Dum") and Otis' high energy duet with Carla Thomas "Tramp". An informative 12 page booklet with interesting biographical information and chart data for each track is also included. Believe me you cannot go wrong with this one. Highly recommended.

Great Early 60's Soul
Love this CD! Not a bad track on here! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Nikka Costa's fiercely bootylicious first single, "Like aFeather"--that song with the thick, clapped 16th notes--has alreadygarnered the 28-year-old singer one hell of a buzz, and for the mostpart, she's got the goods to back it up. Already a platinum-sellingartist in Europe and South America, the Tokyo-born, L.A.-bred singer'sstateside debut bulges with ambition. It's a mixed bag of musicaltricks that's equal parts '70s-style funk, hazy LedZeppelin-inspired psychedelia, and angst-ridden alternachick yowling, withhealthy dollops of soul, hip-hop, and thrash thrown in for goodmeasure. Produced by Costa, Australian rocker Justin Stanley (who'salso the singer's husband), and high-profile New York City DJ MarkRonson, the album works best when it piles on the noise--like on thestandout "Tug of War," which features the unmistakable rim-shot work ofRoots drummer?uestlove. On that track, a flurry of scratched samples, layers ofsoundboard-smeared noise, and a few luscious string sweeps break intogospel-choir harmonies that swirl gorgeously beneath Costa's reedymezzo-soprano wails. It's a shame that she can't match this intensityon sparser down-tempo ballads like "Nothing" and "Just Because," whereshe sounds like Fiona Apple'sslightly less annoying older sis. As the album's title says, everybodygot their something, and Costa sounds best when she sticks to hers.--Sylvia W. Chan ... Read more

Reviews (123)

Nikka What? Nikka Who? Nikka Where? Nikka got that Something
I absolutely love this album. It's got funky dance beats and is just as good as Macy Gray's albums. All 12 tracks are excellent in their own way.

One <10/10> Like a Feather- This is that groovin song that they play on the radio and on that Levi's 501 jeans commercial. Get down with Nikka's sultry Janis Joplin-like vocals.

Two <8/10> So I Have For You- A soft rock jammer and a damn good one too.

Three <8/10> Tug Of War- A slower beat song but will make you get down anyway.

Four <10/10> Everybody Got Their Something- My personal fave. A simple beat but funky and groovin nevertheless.

Five <7/10> Nothing- A slow ballad that you'll sing in the shower over and over.

Six <9/10> Nikka What?- Just a cheesy little 25-second interlude with a good beat. Kind of a prelude to track seven.

Seven <10/10> Hope it Felt Good- Probably Nikka's most edgy track on the album. Adds a rock n roll flavor to it as she bad-mouths a cheating lover.

Eight <10/10> Some Kind of Beautiful- Second single. Very funky disco like.

Nine <8/10> Nikka Who?- Another interlude, this time 43-seconds. A young but still strong vocalized Nikka belting out a heart-felt song.

Ten <8/10> Just Because- Another soft rock song to be compared with track two.

Eleven <9/10> Push & Pull- A great easy listening track that you can still dance to.

Twelve <10/10> Corners of My Mind- A slow song that makes you think.

All & All, this record is awesome...

Peace.

Refreshing and Funky
Nikka Costa has blown onto the music scene with her single (and cool-looking video) "Like a Feather". Her debut album is of the same high quality. "Like a Feather" is the opening track and in case you haven't heard the song, imagine a funkier sounding Janis Joplin style.

Other stand-out tracks include the heavy "Tug of War", the happy, clap-along title track "Everybody Got Their Something" (in which co-producer (and significant other) Justin Stanley is a veritable one-man band, playing all instruments), the slow and sad "Nothing" (detailing how there once was love, and now nothing) and the album closer "Corners of My Mind" (note: after this last track, there is about a 5 min gap of silence before the album closes with about 20 seconds worth of audience applause from what sounds like a jazz club).

All in all, a very convincing album. It is hard to believe that this is Nikka Costa's debut album. The confidence she displays in her songs would one expect this to be a middle-of-career album. Come find the familiar "Like a Feather" and stay around for the remainder of the album!

Nikka's Something
Upon receipt of this musical endeavor, I found myself moved by this amazing and surprisingly unknown (or underground trying to surface) vocalist. Everybody's Got Their Something is a wonderful masterpiece. It allows the listener to inhale it, let it marinate and not want to ever exhale. The first song on the album, Like A Feather, (and first single) creeps in like a Prince inspired surprise. If you thought that was what you would be hearing throughout the album... you were wrong. Nikka takes the listener on a journey of proclaiming and owning self-confidence and pride, all the way to your not-so-cozy love song (or lack there of). Some of the tracks on the album I absolutely adore are:

TUG OF WAR: Brilliant song about how our soul and body can't quit get it right all of the time. This song features an awesome change in momentum when you're really not expecting it.

SO HAVE I FOR YOU: Everyone has felt the need to stray away from what they have been raised to know and are "suppose" to live out. This song screams out "I'm going to do what I want to do because I have the drive and the motivation and the confidence and no one is going to stop me". The lyrics, "Mama you can choose the rain/ but I choose the sun" strongly display that message.

Some other songs I love are Push and Pull and Corners of My Mind.

This album is a must have for those of you who seek great artist that create awesome music.

Flushes you out, that's for sure!
My bowels emptied when I heard this cd for the first time. Talk about a mess, but that's another story for another time. Point is, I danced my (large) rear end right off because it is freaky, funky, and will make you want to grab the nearest person of either gender and do the w*ld th*ng! I'm a female, as readers of my reviews will note, and God has blessed me with more than a husky figure. Anyone near me when I start shaking my dumper will end up squashed (and smelling quite foul to boot). That is what the music does to me, I cannot help it. Bodily functions just seem to go by the wayside, for better or worse.

If the Sun were a woman, her name would be Nikka.....
Don't you dare call yourself a music lover and NOT have this woman's CD in your collection.

Nikka is fire and energy; funk, rock and soul. She's a hard rockin' soul-sista with a funky banshee wail on the side.

Oh yeah, folks. This is one woman who is truly a force of nature not to be denied. ("Mama, you can choose the rain, but I choose the sun")-"So Have I For You"

Go on; buy the CD. You can thank me later. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

The Best of the Series
This is the best of the "Pure Disco" series. It contains all the best songs. It kicks off with a decent remix of Gloria Gaynor's disco standard "I Will Survive" and the album takes off after that. My favorite track would probably be "Turn the Beat Around," an explosive purscussion-based track. You also get "What A Feeling" from the movie Flashdance which was which hit long after disco's hey-day and "Rock the Boat" which was is considered by some the first disco song. Abba are included with "Gimme Gimme Gimme" which was not one of their bigger songs, but a great disco track anyways and the Weather Girls are a great addition with "It's Raining Men." This is an awesome CD for a party. It'll be sure to have everyone up and dancing to these great disco classics!

Wow! A Fun Disco Compilation!
Who knew a disco compilation could be so fun? This is actually one of the best (And funnest) CDs I have ever listened to. The album starts out with the fantastic I Will Survive Remix, which is followed by the classic Shake Your Booty by KC & The Sunshine Band. Vicki Sue Robinson's song Turn The Beat Around combines catchy hooks and great vocals to make one of the biggest dance anthems ever. Then the CD gets corny for just a little bit to include Macho Man and We Are Family. Irene Cara was a huge star after the songs from Fame and Flashdance, and she shows she has some killer vocals on the uplifting Flashdance (What A Feeling). The next few songs are sort of medium until you hit Rock The Boat by The Hues Corporation, which was recently featured on a Pepsi commercial. Then comes Love Rollercoaster, which was definately one of Disco's biggest hits. The rest of the highlights are Abba's haunting and catchy Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie! (A Man After Midnight), Anita Ward's unique vocals on Ring My Bell, the two classic hits Last Dance by Donna Summer and It's Raining Men by the Weather Girls, and then finally the Diva Megamix. If you are a fan of disco, or are just looking for a fun party CD, this is definately the one for you!

The best of the Pure Disco series.
This is a great compilation album! It starts off with a remix of "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor. I prefer the original, found on Pure Disco #1. The second track is the KC and the Sunshine Band Hit, "Shake Your Booty", which I doubt anyone doesn't know at least one line of. Then is one of my favorite disco songs, Vicki Sue Robinson's "Turn the Beat Around". It is a song with so much going on you almost get lost! After that is "Macho Man" by the Village People, which is definitely not one of my favorites, but some people like it. Next is Sister Sledge's "We Are Family", which is just a bit repetitious. After that is the famous "What a Feeling" by Irene Cara. It may not technically be disco, but it's a nice inclusion. Next is Andy Gibb's "I Just Want to Be Your Everything", which I like the beat and melody, but not Andy Gibb's vocals. After that is "Everlasting Love" by Carl Carlton, a quite unappreciated song. Then you'll hear "Can't Get Enough of Your Love", a Barry White song I'm not too fond of. After that is The Hues Corporation's "Rock the Boat", which annoys me for some crazy reason. Then you'll get "Love Rollercoaster" by the Ohio players, the most annoying disco song of all time. The only songs after that worth mentioning are "Upside Down", a fun song by the Motown/Disco legend Diana Ross. "Gimme Gimme Gimme", one of my favorite ABBA songs, "It's Raining Men", a song with about 3 other versions floating around, and "Last Dance", the most energetic disco song I've heard. The best songs on here are "Last Dance", "Turn the Beat Around", and "What a Feeling". I reccomend this to any disco fans.

My kids Love This Collection!
I do too...Listening, i forget how long it has been since these
songs were popular! Few of these artsts had great albums,but if you are looking for a collection of good disco music from a fun
era...when you could still escape with music...this is a must-have! My kids love it too...and they are very young!
Regina

Flash Back in Time
Great selection of favorite listening and dance hits from the 70's. Although some of the songs I really wouldn't classify as disco, every one on the cd brought back many memories. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Even for a relatively brief (20-song) overview of Ray Charles's '60s output during the peak of his recording stardom at ABC-Paramount, Anthology covers a hell of a lot of styles. It couldn't be any other way, not when examining the period in which he hit the charts with transformed versions of half-forgotten standards ("Georgia on My Mind"), hip jazz instrumental takes on Clovers tunes ("One Mint Julep"), rocking uptempo R&B ("Hit the Road Jack") and mournful proto-countrypolitan ("I Can't Stop Loving You"). If any of those four titles means a thing to you, this primer on America's greatest singer is probably a disc you should own. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Almost perfect.......
This is the best mini-collections one can get of Ray's music. I think it's a crime that so many of our legends that are still living are virtually invisible, drowned out by the thunder-thump of some of the digital wizards that pretend to be musical artists today. There is one song I really like that wasn't included her. It's "You Don't Know Me" ("You give your hand to me....and then you say hello...."). This is the music of my early childhood, and it was played around my house along with Cannonball Adderley, Lou Rawls, Nancy Wilson, Wes Montgomery..... oh man, the list could go on and on! I find myself reminiscing every time I come to these Amazon music pages! If you are on a budjet, this CD gives you the most for the least dough. Ray Charles is part of the royalty that gave us the best music of the 20th century. He will be eulogized and all after he passes away, but it's just a shame there isn't enough room in the mainstream spotlight for those that got us here.

A SAMPLER OF BROTHER-RAY'S BEST
In 1967 I was stationed at Ft. Benning, Ga. after doing my 1 yr."tour" of Viet Nam. I needed a healthy dose of Soul to re-invent my lost spirits, so I bought a double-album by Ray called "Ray Charles, A Man And His Music", I liked that album so much I kept it, and played it quite often for over 35 yrs. Yikes am I gettin old! I finally gave it away to a friend cuz my record player went to Hell.
Anyway if you like Ray's music even a little bit I think you'll like "anthology" Here are a few of my picks in different
music styles: 1- "I Don't Need No Doctor" (blues-rock) "Unchain my Heart" (blues-rock) 2-"I Can't Stop Loving You (mournful-blues ) "Lets Go Get Stoned" (hard-day-at-work blues)
Buy This One....I am cuz I know what's on it
Later on dudes!!
Blues-eyed Bob

Rest in peace, Genius
This CD features recordings from Ray Charles' 1960s heyday. (I have a first pressing of this CD, which features "Sticks and Stones" instead of "America the Beautiful".) This is all prime Ray Charles. He had (for the most part) stopped writing his own material at this point, and instead became an interpreter of any song that struck his fancy. He could take a song from any musical genre and make it his own. People said he was crazy when he decided to record an album of country songs, but it went on to become his best selling LP. This anthology is by no means complete, (it doesn't include his Number Two hit "You Don't Know Me"), but it is a solid hour-plus of Ray Charles at his best. Highly recommended.

Blues God
I own this CD and The Genius of Ray Charles. Both excellent, but between the two, I have to give my thumbs up to the Anthology. "Busted" is enough of a reason to own this album and the entire CD is just as good. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

A Great Collection
If you're looking for one CD that has the best of Ray Charles on it, this is it. There are more complete collections, but this is the best overall. ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2000

Jill Scott's debut, Who Is Jill Scott?, is a luscious portrait of the artistas a grown woman. In R&B, black femininity has often been reduced to two dimensions:sex and materialism. But Scott lives in 3-D, and it shows in her voluptuous songwriting.She combines a beautiful voice with an extreme generosity of spirit, making her music adreamy, soulful delight. Lizz Mendez Berry ... Read more

Reviews (486)

JILL...AHHH THE THICKNESSSSSSS....
Erykah, you betta get back on it! Jill is comin' full throttle and she looks like she ain't tryin' to stop! Hopefully.

She melts poetry and voice like no one before her. Powerful. Insightful. Sexy.

DO YOU REMEMBER gets me all "good-feely" all inside. I like that vibe. And when I first heard GETTIN IN THE WAY I though Badu had dropped her 2nd album. A LONG WALK is nice sweet ditty that makes you wanna do exactly that with a good close friend. HE LOVES ME (LYZEL IN E FLAT) makes me mad. Why? Cuz it shoulda been me she was talkin' too/about! LOL! THE WAY is smooth and sexy and makes you wanna sing it to ya girl when she comes through the door. LOVE RAIN and ONE IS THE MAGIC # round out the CD very nicely.

James Poyser and Jazzy Jeff (Yes, the same cat from the duo Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince) really know how to put out a sound. I also like the way Jill looks in her all her songs...she is one of the very few artists that has a smile on her face everytime she sings. Amel Larrieux and Janet are the only 2 other singers I see do that. She makes you feel good that she's feelin' good. Feel me? (wink!)

C.D IN CONCERT-I KNOW WHO MISS JILL IS
On March 23, 2001 at the Tower Theatre in Philly Pa I had the devine pleasure of seeing Miss Jilly Jill. It was the most pleasurable audio and visual experience I've had since Miss Badu. Besides the various colorful stars as a backdrop, Miss Scott's vocals were "divamatic" to say the least. If vocal capacity described "Divas" then she is a diva in the making. Miss Scott "brung it". As compared to her cd some of the musical arrangements were different in concert than on the c.d, however they change was refreshing. Some songs had a touch of Jazz, or a Reggae feel. There were a few songs that when you heard the intro you wondered, now what is this, then your brain and hears connected and said, AAh yea that's my sh?t. The band Fatback Taffy and backup singers were grand. The acoustics were crystal clear and the band did not drown out the artist (take note Musiq Soulchild). Yes, Miss Jill was not playing. Then just when you thought it was over, she strikes back with a poem, The Thickness. The poem was about a young sister whose body matured faster then her mind. It was on time. Jill broke it down and dropped some knowledge during and between several songs. I could tell by the look on some folks faces that they felt as if it was neither the place nor the time. But I say get it while you can. Then she sang my song, HE LOVES ME,LYZEL IN "E" FLAT. It was like an operatic experience. Miss Jill belted out that song, then with an operatic stance, hands clasped, she and her girls chorused, AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. Next time Miss Jill, Sting will be opening for you. Big ups to Kendrid, Jill's opening act. So if you didn't see the concert get the C.D. Peeeece

...
...There is no word that can express this album without insulting it. That is all I have to say.

Jill, We Know Who You Are Now
Jill Scott is the embodiment of strength, irrevocable talent and artistry. She is a self-described poet, and this is what makes her music so consummate and authentic. I did not buy the album until I saw her in concert, and that alone should speak for itself. If it doesn't, let me explain. Jill Scott is one of the most powerful voices I've ever heard, and seeing her live is a special treat, to say the very least. Her voice is pure, but when she sings, you can feel her strength, emotion and tone reverberate throughout the arena. Absolutely infectious. Her band, FatBackTaffy, is masterful, both as individual instrumentalists and together. Excellence. And so I bought the cd. What do I think? Well, I think if you like a booming voice that finds its stride in power notes, yet knows when to become hushed, soft and sweet, buy it. If you like a voice that knows how to playfully flow on jazzy riffs, buy it. If you like a voice that knows how to capture all the subtle nuances of the music, buy it. If you like a voice that displays attitude and funk, buy it. If you like for candid words to be minced with complimentary musical arrangement, buy it. If you like music that contains a great amount of meaning, passion and soul, off to the music store with you.

"Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds, Volume 1" is a masterpiece of beautiful singing and passionate thought. The arrangement of the songs is intelligent and each flows fluidly into the next. There are no songs to skip over. This is one of few cds to be heard from beginning to end. With that said, if you are wondering "Who Is Jill Scott?" you will soon have your answer. All you have to do is listen.

Loving Classical Soul Jill Scott
This album is like a Classical Soul Record. It is timeless. She is so real that she defines the 'Neo-Soul' movement/genre. This album is so deep that it takes you time and effort to truly understand and appreciate the album's beauty.

Jill Scott for anyone who doesn't know is a touch of Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu with the confidence of Aretha Franklin and the vulnerability of Nina Simone. Except she doesn't just sing, she reads her poetry -sounding like rapping, except it's got this calm soothing tone. Her song are very unique and quite different to each other. The entire album gives me a sense of spirit, soul, and reality. It takes me to a different place, and I can just hit play and let it roll. I think this is due to the album not being overly produced like most R&B albums which leaves you feeling empty. This album is jam-packed with SOUL!

There is also a use of variety of instruments. I can still remember how suprised I was when I heard trumpets in "A Long Walk". Each song tells a personal story.

"Jilltro" sets the tone, and you can see why this girl deserves a Grammy! "Exclusively", "A Long Walk", "He Loves Me", "The Way" are excellent songs that deal with love. But my absolutely favorite jam is "Love, Rain" -a piece of brilliance. Jill Scott not only co-wrote and co-produced the album. She wrote most of the lyrics herself, proving how song-writers are really poets.

This album always gets me onto a high positive buzz, and I recommend it to anyone who wants a taste of 'Neo-Soul'. For a darker retrospect album try Sarah McLachlan's "Surfacing" or Lauryn Hill's "Miseducation", but for a positive jam get this one! ... Read more

Amazon.com

After mounting successes with the Commodores during the late '70s, Lionel Richie exploded into one of the biggest stars of the '80s, then enigmatically disappeared from the music business for nearly a decade. Fourteen of the tracks on this 20-track anthology (which also includes a five-cut bonus disc compiled by Richie) topped the charts, ample testimony to Richie's remarkable success in shifting from the Commodores' roots in the Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye Motown to a pioneering career as a crossover balladeer. His willful drift to the middle of the road found that its yellow line was nothing but gold. This collection charts the singer's upbeat successes with his former band, segues gracefully into the ballads and party-lite sensibility that made him such an unlikely '80s icon, and touches on his late-'90s reemergence. A newly recorded duet with Enrique Iglesias on "To Love a Woman" suggests that the elder popmeister hasn't lost his touch; indeed, his voice seems more warm and soulful than ever.--Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (36)

A guilty pleasure, but not too much guilt
For me, admitting that I like Lionel Richie's music is a little embarrassing. How can a rock 'n' roller admit to liking something like "Say You, Say Me?" The answer is, to quote Mr. Richie, it's "Easy." The tunes compiled here are nearly all heartwarming and catchy, perfect for romance or just pleasant listening. This collection beats the previous "Back to Front" hits CD -- after all, it is titled "Definitive." The two extra new songs included are OK but not quite in the league of his very best work. The bonus disc is more of collector's item than anything amazing. Lionel's songs such as "Sail On" have given me a lot of listening enjoyment over the years, but I don't quite rank him as an "all-time great." My only comment regarding Richie's place in late 20th Century pop music is that just before hearing this collection I listened to Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" CD. Called "the greatest album ever" by Smokey Robinson, the Gaye disc puts Lionel to shame. You won't find ANY Richie song on The Definitive Collection that comes close to the magnificence of "Mercy Mercy Me."

Adult Contemporary Staple Finally Gets His Hits Collection
Yes, Lionel Richie actually had two hits collections on the market before THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION- but BACK TO FRONT missed as many hits as it included, and TRULY: THE LOVE SONGS just contained his ballads. So it's welcome that 2002's THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION actually tries to live up to its nature as a definitive compilation, and fortunately, it does a very good job in compiling Richie's biggest hits, along with two new songs that are fine, but still forgettable ("To Love a Woman" and "Goodbye").

While listening to this album, it's easy to see why Richie was such a popular solo artist during the 1980s, as many of these songs have stood the test of time with grace, whether they be dance numbers like "All Night Long (All Night)" and "Dancing on the Ceiling"; midtempo pieces such as "Running With the Night" and "You Are"; and ballads like "Endless Love"; "Truly"; and "Hello." It's also nice that five ballads from the Commodores (all led by Richie) also make it into this collection, as they help tell why Richie has remained a staple on adult contemporary radio over the years (especially "Easy" and "Three Times a Lady," two of the best songs in the genre). That said, THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION is still not perfect; it's still missing a few big solo hits like "Se La," "Love Will Conquer All," and "My Love," and even though the nonchronological sequencing here isn't bad at all, it still makes the overall collection feel incomplete.

But this still has most of Richie's big numbers anyway, both solo and with the Commodores, and these big numbers are so good that they make the shortcomings of the collection forgivable. This may not be a completely definitive collection, but it's still pretty terrific anyway. Recommended for anyone who enjoys adult contemporary radio.

An Outrageous Collection
Rarely regarded as one of the great singer/songwriters of the 1970s and 1980s, Lionel Richie has certainly has had his share of hits, both with the Commodores and as a solo artist. His profile remains high today, and recently released the "Just For You" album.

It's pretty easy to find your favorite Lionel Richie track here. Whether you enjoy "Three Times A Lady", "All Night Long (All Night)", "Say You, Say Me" or "Dancing On The Ceiling", you will not be disappointed by this cd. I was certainly surprised to find that my favorite Lionel song, 1992's "Do It To Me", was included, since it's the only one of his solo Motown singles not to hit the top 10 that is included here (1987's "Se La' also didn't make the top 20 but isn't included here). I also enjoyed some of his songs that were big hits their first time out but not that big today: "Stuck On You", "Penny Lover", "Ballerina Girl", "You Are" and "Running With The Night".

Lionel recorded some new tracks for this album as well. "To Love A Woman" is a country - tinged Enrique Inglesias duet that harkens back to some of his earlier work, and "Goodbye", a simple piano - driven ballads whose roots lie in "Truly" and "Easy".

There are a few top 10 hits missing from this cd that I would have loved to have seen included, both solo and with The Commodores. They are:

"Sweet Love" (number 5)
"Brick House" (number 5)
"Lady (You Bring Me Up)" (number 8)
"Oh No" (number 4)
"My Love" (number 5)
"Love Will Conquer All (number 9)

Those songs aside, this is an excellent collection of classic music that should be cherished for years to come. Also, pick up the aformentioned "Just For You" cd, and catch Lionel's daughter Nicole on Fox's "The Simple Life".

You Listen To This "All Night Long"
With so many great artists getting recognized with definitive collections of their greatest hits, it was only a matter of time before Lionel Richie would have this honor bestowed upon him. With 18 big hits and two new songs, this album remains one of my favorites and is the most complete collection of his hits to date.

For a cd with his most popular hits, "The Definitve Collection" can hardly be beat. Songs like "Hello", "Three Times A Lady", "All Night Long", "Endless Love" (with Diana Ross), "Say You, Say Me" and "Dancing On The Ceiling" have become engraved in American pop culture and remain radio staples. Songs like "Penny Lover", "Stuck On You" and "You Are" rank among his finest efforts of all time, while "Do It To Me" remains my favorite, with a sweeping melody and a nice, mellow saxophone. And then there's "Angel". This is such a great song. I remember hearing this song at least once a day on some radio station on the way to work. The two new tracks are really special. The counrry - tinged Enrique Iglesias duet "To Love A Woman" and the haunting "Goodbye" prove he still has golden touch.

Alas, it's still not a perfect collection. This could've been a two - disc set, as there are many songs with The Commodores plus some solo hits that could've been included. Here a list of some (if not all) of those songs, plus their chart positions:

"Machine Gun" (number 22)
"Sweet Love" (number 5)

"Brick House" (don't knwo exactly what its peak position was, but was a top 10 hit)
"Oh No" (number 4)
"My Love" (number 5)
"Love Will Conquer All" (number 9)
"Se La" (number 20)
"Don't Wanna Lose You" (number 39)

I would also like the to have included his live version of "All Night Long (All Night" from the 1984 Olympics as a bonus track, but otherwise, this a great cd filled with countless hours of classic music. Get it today.

Soppy ballads and tunes for the tv generation!
Listening to this is like watching a current tv show. Fluff, brief "possibly" entertaining interludes, but overall it leaves one unstimulated!

Listening to this is like watching the world go by. Not good for the soul. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Smooth Sounds from Smokey
This is a great additon to the Ultimate cd and I'm just loving it! Smokey has amazing music. So smooth! I was happy to get my favorite song "Yester Love" on cd and I'm glad they included two new bonus songs. This is a great deal for a legendary artist. ... Read more

Amazon.com

India Arie's Acoustic Soul is just as advertised:grooving soul music with an acoustic bent. Arie herself plays guitar,supplemented by strings (instead of synthesizers) and drums (instead ofdrum machines). The first single, "Video," is a calm, confident ode toself-love, comparing the dreadlocked, petite Arie to the average girlin a video. Arie is indeed anything but average: her debut marks theauspicious return of the black female singer-songwriter, in the vein ofMe'ShellNdegeocello, Tracy Chapman, and Dionne Farris. Ifyou like their music, with thoughtful lyrics and layers ofinstrumentation, you'll love this album. "Video" is fabulous, but otherhigh points include "Ready for Love," a lament that smolders beforeslowly building to a crescendo, with tinkling piano, guitar, and celloswelling beneath the vocal. "Strength, Courage, and Wisdom" is anoptimistic anthem that'll have you clapping your hands and swaying fromside to side, and the best track on the album, "Simple," is astraightforward love song with a pulsating beat. Acoustic Soulmay not be full of radio-friendly tracks, but every track is strong,and the disc improves each time you press play. --Courtney Kemp ... Read more

Reviews (361)

Superb--too beautiful for the Grammy voters!
I'm still in total shock on why India.Arie did not win any Grammys. I guess the Grammy voters were too busy oohing and aahing, drooling, and getting all goggly-eyed over Alicia Keys to even pay attention to India.Arie, which is a real shame, because it is India.Arie who has all the talent--and she doesn't need a manager like Clive Davis to get the media to overhype her. Instead of playing the piano like Alicia, India plays the acoustic guitar plus, she can also play the drums. All of the songs on ACOUSTIC SOUL are truly amazing and beautiful! It is a breathtaking album and I'm sure India.Arie will be around for a lot longer than Alicia Keys is. "Video" is definitely the best track off this album, but all the others are wonderful, too. Some of my other personal favorites include "Promises", "Ready For Love", "Beautiful", and "Nature". ACOUSTIC SOUL is a true original album, and the lyrics do not repeat each other like on SONGS IN A MINOR. India.Arie has a beautiful, soulful voice that soars way over Alicia's head, and is just simply breathtaking like everything else about India.Arie. ACOUSTIC SOUL was definitely one of the best albums of 2001 that was overlooked by the Grammy voters. I listened to both SONGS IN A MINOR and ACOUSTIC SOUL and I just find India.Arie's album to be better than SONGS IN A MINOR and I find India.Arie to be more talented than Alicia Keys. Alicia Keys is too manufactured and too MTV-like to ever be known as a true soul/R&B artist. India.Arie is not manufactured at all and she is not played on MTV often so she is a true soul/R&B artist. I cannot wait for India.Arie's next album and I hope it's as good as this one, if not then better. Grab ACOUSTIC SOUL off the CD shelf at the music store and play it in your CD player because it's a must-own for all music lovers!

THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO THIS WOMAN,THEN WHAT YOU'VE HEARD
One day in March 2001,while I was in the car a song came on.
A warm acoustic guitar riff with a snappy drum machine beat
with a chrous that went like "I'm not your average girl /from a video /my worth is not determined by the price of my clothes.../
Because I am a Queen".WOW! Who was that?,I'm thinking to myself.
Come to find out,a young Atlanta-based soul singer-songwriter
named India.Arie.That song,"Video", was what the world needed and months later,when I finally listened to India's debut,"Acoustic Soul",I thought that this album is what the world needs too.

FIRST THINGS FIRST,there's much more to India.Arie than the singles "Video" and the sensual "Brown Skin" display.
India is a smart,moody,warm singer-songwriter who has her own sound.She's not an overdone pro-black Afro Queen but she's not your average major-label female R&B artist,either.

Among my favorites on this disc(and the tracks that I feel show
the many facets of Ms. Arie's endless talent) is "Part Of My Life" as well as the quietly-released third single "Strengh,Courage,&
Wisdom"(altough I must admit,this song is a tad earnest but that's better than mindless).

The thoughtful "Back To The Middle" is a strong showcase for India's guitar skills and songwriting prowess.This should be the next single.If not this,then "Part Of My Life",would do.

I was persuaded to review "Acoustic Soul",after this album got a
Grammy nomination for Album Of The Year(beating out the more hyped up "Songs In A Minor",by you know who).I was very happy that it got nominated but I just felt that folks didn't know half of
Arie's talent by this album's first two singles.

India.Arie stands out in the overcrowded world of contempary R&B.
And I look forward to more work from her.

Wonderful Debut From A Talented Artist
India Arie Simpson made her debut in March of 2001, around the same time as Alicia Keys made her debut. At the Grammies that year, fans of India Arie were stunned when, despite her seven nominations for her debut "Acoustic Soul", India Arie did not receive a single Grammy and many of her fans dislike Alicia Keys for "robbing" India of her Grammies. India Arie was twenty-five at the time of this debut and she, as far as I know, either wrote or co-wrote every song on this album. As well, I believe India Arie herself played the acoustic guitar in many (or all) of the songs. Though her lyrics are somewhat simple, they have a generally elegant kind of simplicity as well. On her debut, India seems to be introducing the listener both to herself and her style and she pulls it off quite well.

The album starts off with a short "Intro" in which India lists some of the artists who inspired her. It is quite short and not memorable. The first song on the album is India Arie's single "Video" in which she asserts that she's "not the average girl from the video." In this song, India seems to be giving the listener a little insight as to what she's like as a person as well as giving us a taste of her lyrical and vocal style. The vocals in the bridge of the song are especially great (the part that begins "am I any less of me if I don't wear pantyhose?"). Though this is different from most singles in 2001, it is a wonderful song and a great introduction to India Arie. Afterwards comes "Promises", one of the catchiest songs on the album. To me, this is one of the best songs on the album. In this song, India gives the messages that "a man's only as good as his word" and basically, to keep your promises and you will be rewarded.

Next comes two decent songs, "Brown Skin" and "Strength, Courage and Wisdom". By decent I mean that they are still good but not quite up to the same level as other songs. "Brown Skin" is a touching song about how India Arie loves her man's brown skin. The only downside is the song is quite long and the lyrics are somewhat repetitive making it seem even longer. "Strength, Courage and Wisdom" is a little more upbeat and talks about finding these three qualities inside you. It is a decent enough song but is not quite as good as other songs on the album. After comes the slightly more interesting "Nature" with its captivating chorus and vocal style. This song showcases India's vocals quite well even though the lyrics contain a lot of similes and are not the best. Overall, it is a good song.

Next come three of my favourite songs on the album, "Back To The Middle", "Ready For Love" and "Always In My Head", though they are interrupted by an interlude. "Back To The Middle" has great vocals and the lyrics seem to be a little bit autobiographical. The music in this track, like with all the tracks on the album now that I think of it, fits with the vocals and lyrics very well. It is not exactly clear what "back to the middle" means but that does not take away from the quality of the song. In "Ready For Love", India states that she is ready for all the pain, joy and time involved in love. The song is a calm ballad that grows increasingly more powerful as it goes on and shows off the sandiness of India's voice. To me, it is a definite highlight. After that comes a short interlude which is mostly a continuation of the intro. In other words, its nothing too memorable. "Always In My Head", like several India Arie songs, contains a lot of metaphors but this time is works well. The music in this song it awesome as well.

Next comes "I See God In You", which could have been extremely cheesy or wonderful. Thankfully, it is closer to the latter. The song mostly repeats the chorus with only two real verses, but India's voice and the catchiness of the song save it from being too cheesy. Afterwards come another three decent tracks, "Simple", "Part of My Life" and "Beautiful". "Simple" has a catchy beat to it but suffers from average lyrics. The vocals in the chorus sound great though I think there's a little too much of the background singers in the chorus. However, it does sound pretty good. "Part of My Life" is decent but not nearly as good as some of the other tracks on the album. It suffers from subpar to average lyrics that do not do India Arie's talents much justice. "Beautiful" truly lives up to its name, particularly in the chorus. However, while "Beautiful" is good, it is not quite as good as other songs on the album. Finally, we come to the Outro and the bonus track, "Wonderful" which is a dedication to Stevie Wonder. The Outro is basically a "thank you" song to India's family. "Wonderful" is somewhat cheesy but is still a nice dedication to Stevie Wonder. Despite its good lyrics and great vocals, the song just seems to be lacking something.

Overall Mark: 4/5

Overall, India Arie comes out with a wonderful RnB/Soul debut album that touches on many topics that are not generally talked about in modern music. Despite the quality of the album, I do not think it would be one that many people will remember several years down the road simply because now, three years after this albums release, very few people even remember India Arie as more than "the one who sang Video". This is really a shame since India Arie is an undeniably talented artist. Unfortunately, her sophomore album wasn't nearly at the same level as her debut. This album is great to add to any collection.

INDIA AINT ALL THAT!!!!
SHE'S ALRIGHT.... BUT SHE WON'T GO THAT FAR IN THE INDUSTRY,BECAUSE OF THE WAY SHE LOOKS.!!!! THE INDUSTRY IS JUST LIKE "HOLLYWOOD" !! IF YOU'RE TO DARK, THEN YOU DON'T GET THE GRAMMY,OR THE MTV AWARD,OR GUEST APPEARANCES.... AS FAR AS HER CD IS CONCERNED; IT'S GARBAGE!!! WE ALREADY HAVE AN ERYKAH!!!! EVERYBODY IS TRYIN' TO BE SO DEEP,AND SO CONNECTED WITH BEING "NATURAL"; THAT IT HAS TURNED R&B INTO SOME MAINSTREAM BULLS**T!!!

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Great CD India! The words to her songs are full of meaning and expression. She handcrafts every detail of feeling and creates a masterpiece. The best songs on the cd are: Video, Promises, Brown Skin, Simple, God in You, and Part of My Life. These are in no particular order. I just bought this cd 2 weeks ago on the internet along with the Alicia Keys cd I purchased. On a review for the AK cd, it said Acoustic Soul was also highly recommended. I bought the CD only knowing 1 song on it and I have to say that I'm quite pleased with it. THIS IS A MUST BUY FOR YOUR CD COLLECTION! ... Read more

Amazon.com

These days she's fodder for tabloid writers and late-night comics, but way back in the '90s Mariah Carey ruled the charts. This two-disc collection offers up evidence why, for better or worse, Mariah's five-octave, pop/R&B stylings set the diva standard. Greatest Hits culls its offerings from Carey's five albums on Sony (she is now signed to Virgin), and you get all the facets of her platinum-plus sound. From the soulful smolder of her 1990 debut "Vision of Love" (still one of her best tracks) to the coyer-than-thou duet with Jay Z ("Heartbreaker"), Carey thrills, trills, and hits notes that only canines comprehend. Fans will gobble this collection up, but inclusion of some of Carey's more adventuresome remixes (e.g. the Puffy-produced "Fantasy," featuring ODB) might have made this package more noteworthy. --Amy Linden ... Read more

Reviews (159)

The Ultimate Showcase for Mariah Carey's Peak
Anybody who has followed the media in recent years probably knows that Mariah Carey was reminding people in 1998 that her #1'S collection was "not a greatest hits collection," and that she had not been recording long enough for something like that. But then came, sadly, Mariah's GLITTER disaster. Because of those terrible events, it's probably not too surprising that her former label Columbia Records decided to assemble this GREATEST HITS collection, which is, if you think about it, hard to view as anything but a slap in the face for Mariah's "haven't been recording long enough" comment.

But let's get away from these assumptions and look at the list of GREATEST HITS itself: what this contains is all of Mariah's hits that she scored during the 1990s ("Hero"; "Love Takes Time"; "Fantasy"; "Always Be My Baby"; etc.), the songs that received heavy radio play ("Butterfly"; "Forever"), and a few standout album tracks ("Endless Love"; "Underneath the Stars"). Now, it can be argued that Mariah's huge success was partially due to timing (could you see "One Sweet Day" becoming a hit in 1985 or today?), but still, the songs here show that Mariah was an artist of significant range and dimension. And by listing the songs in chronological order, the compilation gives its showcase a great benefit by tracing Mariah's evolution from dance-pop to contemporary R&B to hip-hop effectively, all the while over her blanket of adult contemporary balladry. Her talents during her peak should not be underestimated.

As far as the selection of the songs itself goes, there is nothing really missing (apart from personal favorites, maybe the Brian McKnight duet "Whenever You Call"). But if there is any complaint with this collection, it's that this extensive showcase may be a little too long for some of the more casual fans, especially since Mariah has always been clearly best known for her hits alone. That's why casual fans should still consider purchasing #1'S instead, since with the exception of its first three tracks and the "Fantasy" remix instead of the original, it puts all of her big hits, one after another, on one disc. But if you prefer a thorough overview of Mariah's peak, then GREATEST HITS is your compilation to buy.

The Top Selling Artist of the 90's In One Album
This is a compilation of Mariah Carey's greatest hits from 1990-2000. This album more than presents the listeners with her songs; it also presents how she's evolved as an artist since her breakthrough in 1990 with "Vision of Love". It takes listeners to a journey from her contemporary pop days to her easy-going pop days to her hip-hop days. These tracks are taken from her previous ten albums (look at bottom for the list), except "Glitter". Behind the revealing clothing is one of the greatest female voices in music history. Her seven-octave range and her pitch-perfect high E-flat are only some of many amazing features in Carey's voice. This is one of many reasons why she's earned the title as second biggest selling female artist worldwide with sales of about 140 million copies (only surpassed by Madonna) and biggest selling worldwide in the 1990's. She's deservingly broken many other records. Whether she's singing an upbeat song or a ballad and regardless of pronounced genre, she shines on every musical note. She sings every word with intense emotion, forcing them in the listeners' hearts. Every track featured on this album will become a classic in the next following years. Her newly released remix of "All I Want For Christmas Is You", performed with Lil Bow Bow and Jermaine Dupri is also worth listening.

Unfortunately, "Greatest Hits" is her most unappreciated release, only peaking at #52 on Billboard Top 200 Albums Charts due to lack of promotion. However, this is the ultimate album for all Mariah Carey fans to own. This will entertain listeners for a long time.

List of previous albums:
"self-titled"(1990)
"Emotions"(1991)
"MTV Unplugged"(1992)
"Music Box"(1993)
"Merry Christmas"(1994)
"Daydream"(1995)
"Butterfly"(1997)
"#1's"(1998)
"Rainbow"(1999)

Albums released since:
"Charmbracelet"(2002)
"Remixes"(2003)

So True To Its Name
This CD speaks for itself, though mostly the first disc has the best songs. First half has her early work, (starting with "Vision of Love" and ending with "Fantasy" which is the prelude for the second disc starting with other songs off "Daydream". I have to say the remix of "All I Want For Christmas Is You" stinks. A typical disobident child. I WANT TO KICK LIL ROMEO OFF THIS CD. The highlights of this CD- All of it (except the remix of "All I Want for Christmas is You".) Two things that would have perfected this CD, four new tracks (like on #1s) and not putting it out 3 months after "Glitter", most fans weren't ready for another one at that point. But cool CD anyway.

Mariah Carey Collection
I have to say that Mariah Carey has a beautiful voice and this collection includes her best songs ever. My favourites are !"Without You", "Emotions", "My All", "I Still Believe", "One Sweet Day", "Vision of Love", and "Heartbreaker".

Mariah Carey Is The Best!!!
I have always loved Mariah Carey & I have been a huge Fan of her music ever since 1994.She has a great Strong Beautiful Vioce.She kind of sounds like Whitney Houston & Celine Dion.Mariah has been sining for many years & I think that she will keep on continuing singing.Mariah Carey has it going on!!! ... Read more

Album Description

UK edition of the tabloid queen/gifted vocalist's career retrospective. Featuring a different tracklisting than the domestic, this version features four tracks not available on the US version, 'RunTo You', 'Count On Me' (duet with CeCe Winans), 'Greatest Love Of All' (Club 69 Mix) and 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' (Dronez Mix) but only has 35 tracks where the US has 36. 2000 release. Standard double jewel case. ... Read more

Reviews (274)

Excellent CD... best Whitney CD
This is an excellent CD. I recommend you get if you like Whitney. It has all of her great hits and its TWO complely full CDs. Its very L O N G but very good. If you just want one of the songs I still recommend you buy the whole thing and listen to the whole thing.

Here's the track list I copied from Amazon.com:Disc: 1 1. You Give Good Love 2. Saving All My Love For You 3. Greatest Love Of All, The 4. All At Once 5. If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful - (with Jermaine Jackson) 6. Didn't We Almost Have It All 7. Where Do Broken Hearts Go 8. All The Man That I Need 9. Run To You 10. I Have Nothing 11. I Will Always Love You 12. Exhale (Shoop Shoop) 13. Why Does It Hurt So Bad 14. I Believe In You And Me 15. Heartbreak Hotel (Featuring Faith Evans, & Kelly Price) 16. My Love Is Your Love 17. Same Script, Different Cast (Duet With Deborah Cox) 18. Could I Have This Kiss Forever (Duet With Enrique Iglesias) (Metro Mix) ----------------------

Disc: 2 1. Fine 2. If I Told You That (Whitney Houston & George Michael) 3. It's Not Right But It's Okay (Thunderpuss Mix) 4. My Love Is Your Love (Jonathan Peters Mix) 5. Heartbreak Hotel (Featuring Faith Evans And Kelly Price) (Hex Nector Mix) 6. I Learned From The Best (HQ2 Mix) 7. Step By Step (Junour Vasquez Mix) 8. I'm Every Woman (Clivilles & Cole Mix) 9. Queen Of The Night (CJ MacIntosh Mix) 10. I Will Always Love You (Hex Rector Mix) 11. Love Will Save The Day (Jellybean & David Morales Mix) 12. I'm Your Baby Tonight (Dronez Mix) 13. So Emotional (David Morales Mix) 14. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) (Junior Vasquez Mix) 15. How Will I Know (Junior Vasquez Mix) 16. Greatest Love Of All (Juniour Vasquez Mix) 17. One Moment In Time 18. The Star Spangled Banner (Performed Live 1/27/91 at Super Bowl XXV) ----------------------

This CD is definatly rememberable and is a bunch of Whitney Houston tied up in one great CD that you really need for your home CD collection. This is a great CD and I recommend you get it for yourself here at Amazon.com really cheap.

A set I have waited years to own!
It's about time Whitney released a greatest hits package! I have loved her music since high school in the mid-80's and have been dying for a compilation of her wonderful songs. The first disc is the best, containing mostly unmixed versions of her slower classics like "Saving All My Love For You," "Greatest Love of All," and "All At Once." The second disc is OK, I do enjoy the mixed versions, but would also have liked to have the original versions of "So Emotional," and "I Wanna Dance (With Somebody Who Loves Me.)" I was floored by the duet with Deborah Cox, "Same Script, Different Cast," I had never heard it before and it is beautiful. I also really like the inclusion of the Jermaine Jackson duet, "If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful"; I only wish I knew it existed when I got married. The only other thing I dislike is that the CD case is a single jewel box...you have to pry the back cover apart to get the second CD out, and I can't tell you how annoying that is when you're at a stop light and need to get it out quick! You'd think that with all her clout she could persuade the record company to put the CD's in a jewel case with room for them. That's just one more reason I don't listen to the "Throw Down" disc too often. All in all, this is a satisfying retrospective of her career.

Whitney's Greatest Hits, or is it Remixes?
The first disc "Cool Down" of this truly magnifcent singer's greatest hits collection is superb, with all her greatest. Then comes "Throw Down". It's started off with "Fine" which is Ok, but it's not classic Whitney. Then she goes off into various remixes, those would have been better off in their original form, EXCEPT "I Will Always Love You". In that song, the best part is by far the 'And I's' where Whitney's best note in the song is transformed into an array of different volumes. It's cool. Bottom line: if you don't have any Whitney cd's and you're looking to get just the classics "Cool Down" will do it for you, "Throw Down" you can 'Throw Out' if you just want unspoiled Whitney classics, but if you're on the lookout for old and new, it's worth every penny.

Should have used the original versions of her dance hits
Whitney Houston has had an amazing career, churning out hit after hit over a 20 year span. She will truly be remembered as one of music's greatest divas. Her incomparable voice is showcased beautifully on the first disc of ballads. I was slightly disappointed with the second disc of dance hits, however. I was looking for her greatest hits, and I did not care for many of the "club" mixes of songs that I grew up listening to. I especially miss the original versions of "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" and "How Will I Know". I wish she had released the second disc with the original versions instead.

Cover to songs
From Cover to songs, her company has obtained and released a very good compilation. All the songs are timeless classic of Whitney. There are rare songs and I am glad that she didn't want to repeatedly release the songs again and again. It is a great way to consumers specially her fans, why would you buy a CD/2CD if they are exactly the same songs released in her old albums?
If you buy this CD and then you can truly tell people that you have "all" whitney songs. If you bought this and then tell people you don't like Whitney's songs then you have never liked her. If you bought this CD and then tell people you don't like what whitney does now, then you are a liar because how can you like her and now don't? as most songs are exactly from the previous albums.
The remixes are just a bonus. She doesnt have to give you that and you should appreciate it if you buy it. If you don't appreciate what she is doing, then please go ahead listen to something else. She didn't force you to buy her albums, you know! ... Read more

Amazon.com

This is an early collection that gathers the group's hits up to 1975. While they continued to make the charts (albeit sporadically) for another decade, the Stylistics' golden years had drawn to a close by the time this record hit the stands, so almost all of their key tracks are here. Best of the Stylistics Vol. 2 and All-Time Classics cover different bases, while Greatest Love Hits is a theme compilation with some overlap. Yet another compilation, Very Best of the Stylistics, largely has the same material as the Best of... package. For an exhaustive selection of the group's best work, you'll have to go to the original albums. Top picks: The Stylistics, Round 2, and Let's Put It All Together. --Gavin McNett ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Stylistics Best of A Philly Feather For Group, Songwriter
"The Best of The Stylistics" is another Philadelphia feather for legendary producer Thom Bell and his songwriting partner, the late Linda Creed. Like DeBergerac to Roxanne in literature, Bell and Creed could have asked for no warmer, more precise voice than Stylistics lead singer Russell Thompkins, Jr. singing some of their (and the 70s') most romantic urban poetry.

Bell's soaring melodies and lush arrangements met Creed's words (and Thompkins' voice) head on. You hear the painful chance meeting that wasn't in "You Are Everything," the synthesized winter chill starting "People Make The World Go Round," the soul daydreaming in "I'm Stone In Love With You," the dramatic, expansive introduction to Airrion Love's gentle first verse on "You Make Me Feel Brand New." None of this was new to fans of romantic harmony music the previous 30 years; in other hands it might well have been considered schmaltzy and too pop. But the Stylistics and their collaborators updated the ingredients to the lives they led, and town (Philadelphia) they lived and worked in. That explains the music's timelessness, even to Prince's tribute cover of "Betcha By Golly Wow."

This collection misses an important hit, "Stop, Look, Listen," and the group needs a career-spanning compilation. Even so, this early "Best of The Stylistics" chronicles more than the best of one classic soul group. It ranks among the best of a time, a city, and a legendary musical team, and is recommended for fans of each.

Strokes of brilliance.
Wow! They sure don't make music like this anymore. The Stylistics were an incredible group, and they released some of the most romantic (and heartbreaking) songs ever recorded. "You Make Me Feel Brand New" is one of those slow jams that can make even the hardest of hearts believe in love, while "You Are Everything" still sounds gorgeous after all these years. My only gripe? "Stop, Look, and Listen to Your Heart" is not on this collection, but that's a small inconvenience when you consider the other brilliant tracks that ARE here. Fans of the old school won't need my recommendation to get this disc, and younger listeners should definitely pick this one up.

The Stylistics Had Style; Man.... Did They Ever!!!
Ya gotta love The Stylistics. These guys could definitely perform and their songs are so pretty! As a matter of fact: their songs are SO pretty they will melt your heart!!! "You Are Everything" "You Make Me Feel Brand New" "Betcha By Golly Wow" "Break Up To Make Up" and "I'm Stone In Love With You" are simply beautiful and the song "Rockin' Roll Baby" will have you ROCKIN ROLLIN!!!
This (The Best Of The Stylistics) is a wonderful CD with some very gorgeous songs on it plus some great upbeat songs on it also and as I stated earlier in this review: the song "Rockin' Roll Baby" is a honey of a rocker.
It is hard to believe that these songs have been out around thirty years or more but they have and they sound as fresh as they did in the 70s when they first came out...Buy It...You won't regret it.

Simply Outstanding Music!
For over 30 years, the Stylistics have been one of my favorite groups.Mention their name to someone, and they ask.."What did they sing". When you start singing a few bars of their hits, they immediately recognize the group. Although they seemed to not enjoy the notariety of the Temptations, and Four Tops, this group was, and still is Superb. This CD is loaded with their biggest hits. The popularity of the songs spans generations. Our teens play the Stylistics songs as often as we do. If you've seen the public television show "70's Soul" you realize that this is and always will be one of the major groups in the history of soul music. This CD is a must-have, and will NOT disappoint you!

OUTSTANDING
This is a wonderful CD with quality CLASSIC music. Definitely woth every cent! I've been a fan since I was 16. I'm 28 now. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A towering figure in postwar American music, for over 40 years James Brown has written, produced, and performed some of the most compelling R&B ever recorded. 20 All Time Greatest Hits! distills Startime!, itself a four-CD set that barely scratched the surface of Brown's prodigious output. As such, this collection concentrates on Brown's best-known records: "I Feel Good," "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," and "Cold Sweat." The propulsive one- or two-chord vamps with Brown's hoarse, declamatory vocals laid the groundwork for modern funk. It's a perfect starter set for anyone unfamiliar with Brown's work. But be warned--Brown is addictive. Like peanuts and potato chips, it's impossible to stop with just one. Buy this and don't be surprised if one day you find yourself scouring used record bins for a rare copy of Grits and Cornbread. --Steven Mirkin ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Don't Ask Why or How...Just Get This Disc!
You can have your Elvis Presley, but for my time and money, you can't beat James Brown for stage prescence, charisma, tight grooves, and cultural impact. His influence in popular music is beyond calculation, and his songs deliver a rush of energy unlike anything you will ever hear. Diehards will probably steer towards his box set, but this single disc collection is just as good. You know the hits, and if you don't, you've definitely heard their samples: "Sex Machine," "The Payback," "Get Up Offa That Thing" and so forth. Serious jams and real insruments with the Godfather himself grunting and screaming throughout. John Lennon once said, "Before Elvis, there was nothing." Well, even visionaries like Lennon can be wrong. Along with Chuck Berry and Little Richard, James Brown is one of the key founding fathers of popular music, and this disc is a great display of his many hits. Priceless and timeless.

Still underappreciated genius
If you're looking for a single-disc collection of the Godfather's greatest, this is it.

For most people, James Brown is known for I Feel Good, Livin' in America, and his prison sentence a while ago. Most people have no clue what James Brown really did for American music. He's the acknowledged Godfather of Soul, one of the original and probably the greatest funk master, an R&B legend, and if you've ever bothered to find out where so many rap song samples come from, you'll recognize him at the roots of hip-hop.

This disc is a fine introduction to a career that everybody needs to hear more of. The album starts off with the obligatory and overplayed "I Got You (I Feel Good)," but then we get to hear JB rip it up on the classic "Sex Machine." Then, we get classic after classic including my favorites "Mother Popcorn, Pt. 1," "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," "It's A Man's Man's Man's World," " Cold Sweat, Pt.1," "Super Bad, Pts.1&2'" and my absolute favorite on this disc "The Payback," a long, slow, heavy, politically-charged piece that really grew on me.

Just remember that this disc just scratches the surface of the JB catalog. You may not be able to afford it, but if you're looking for a great retrospective of James Brown's work, you need to get the Star Time box set. It includes career highlights from the 50's all the way to the 90's.

I hope you take my advice and get this album because it's a great testament to an artist who remains underappreciated by most people.

This is not complete!!!
This should have had Livin' in America!!! That song would make it complete!!!!!!

Faultless compilation of soul and funk
James Brown is without doubt one of the greatest popular musicians of the twentieth century. Listen to this album and find out why.

The true Elvis
After Chuck Berry, James Brown is possibly one of Rock and Funk's most undeniable forces. This twenty track collection is only a small sample of the sound that is James Brown. Some criticize the repetition found in alot of his music, but this is due to the point that though many of his songs contained conscious elements, he was first and foremost an entertainer that specialized in dance. It can be claimed that not only is James Brown the creator of Funk, he is the catalyst for the obsession with Dance music that continues in several genres of music in America. James Brown was created to truly move the crowd and keep them off the wall. Mission Accomplished. ... Read more

Amazon.com

You don't expect a Broadway star to be slow burning and funky (Ben Vereen notwithstanding), but Heather Headley is both. Best known for her stage roles in The Lion King and Aida--the latter won her a Tony--the Trinidad native is used to arch performance. Yet her debut album focuses on smooth, lean R&B grooves and Headley's honeyed voice. Heartbreak is Headley's ace. "I Wish I Wasn't" is a tortured missive dispatched from an empty home. "Always Been Your Girl"--the set's hands-down centerpiece--finds Headley pleading with a longtime friend to consider her in a different light. It's a staggeringly powerful song--the kind you can imagine Headley belting out beneath a stark spotlight--made all the more stunning by the fact that the whole collection isn't tied to that one emotion. Also here are the breezy, Mars-Venus meditation "Nature of a Man" and the near-tribal thump of "Like Ya Used To." There are producers and guests aplenty, but Headley is, as always, the star of the show. --Kim Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (122)

I Can't Say Enough.....
Looking for a well performed CD that is full of passion, with great lyrics and a good blend of tempos, without all the bump 'n grind undertones? Well, this is it.

In a time when many of us are wondering where all the "real" R&B singers are, along comes Heather Headley. This album is the perfect blend of R&B and neo-Soul music. I highly recommend this CD for anyone who feels the same. For anybody who enjoys India.Arie, Jill Scott, or Anita Baker, I think you'll enjoy this CD.

I instantly liked this CD. Less than 24 hours after listening to the CD (which belonged to a friend), it was in my collection. As a matter of fact, I'm listening to it as I write this review.

For anyone who loves the lyrics in the first release "He Is", this album is full of beautifully written songs that are performed with such passion. Just take a listen to "Fulltime", "I Wish I wasn't" and "Always Been Your Girl", three ballads that have you saying, I know how that feels. Heather Headley is a performer who can sing both ballads and up tempo songs that have you singing and/or dancing, for example, "Sunday" is an up tempo groove with a slight comical appeal.

"Sista Girl" has the neo-Soul appeal, but is a very poignant song. It is also a song that all teenage girls should listen to, I mean really listen and hear everything that is being said.

Fallin' For Her............ She's Awesome.
Heather Headley's voice is outstanding, these songs are filled with such emotion and range. It's hard not to imagine her being a huge mega-star. Which she deserves enitrely.
Of course i do have a few stand-out tracks,which i hope will be released by her company as singles and dance mixes.
#3 Fallin' for you.....incredible dance tune.
#7 Always been your girl.....what a ballad,and what a dance anthem this one can be.
#8 Sunday......is a fine mid-tempo track filled with such a laid back feel.
and the lead single #1 He is ..... is awesome,and has marvelous remixes.
I am one that also loves album art and photographs,and Heather's choice of album art and photos is just superb.
I love how she used her photos, she cropped them so that ,just a wee bit of her is showing, and then you finally see her radiant smile inside, just perfect.
Heather, if you read this, your work is outstanding, so here's to you and your band, and writers and producers.
And here's to your very promising future.
Thank You

This is Who I am
Dear Heather, Your voice and spirit were so beautiful and healing on Saturday for Liz Nelsons funeral. I felt compelled to let you know our hearts were a little less broken by you. My daughter, her friends and I thank you from the bottom of our broken hearts..May God and the Angels continue to bless you and the people you love.

Looking for the new R&B mega-star? Look no further!
Heather Headley's current and only CD has been out for a while now, but I only just recently discovered it. Beyond being a fan of the great female R&B singers like Aretha, Whitney, Chaka and Christina, I am also an R&B producer/songwriter. I could go on for paragraphs about this fine lady's range, tone and quality, but suffice it to say that Heather immediately takes her rightful place with the aforementioned legends. Listen to the single "I Wish", or better still, the wrenching "I'll Always Be Your Girl". When you're done, if you are not totally wrecked, like I was, Heather and other incredible R&B divas aren't your cup of tea. If you are, run and buy this CD immediately, then get on her website and beg her weekly for a follow-up album and a live appearance in your area. As a songwriter, I'd give anything to have her work her magic on any of my tunes, and you can bet I'm gonna ask her! Heather, you are it!!

Great voice not so good CD
I have been a fan of Heather's voice from The Lion King and Aida .I do not think this CD showcase's her voice like the broadway shows she was in.There are very few songs on this Cd That I like, but then again I am not a big fan of R@B music. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Maybe this music by Prince & the Revolution will never quite sound as,well, revolutionary as it did in 1984 (and nothing else has ever sounded like the extraordinary cooing and fluttering of "When DovesCry"), but it's a pop landmark in Prince's Artist-ic career. The hit moviewas really just a big-screen showcase for Prince to perform these songs (some ofthem in tear-the-roof-off "live" versions set in a Minneapolis club). I don't know why that warped sermonette introduces "Let's Go Crazy"(one thing you've got to love about Prince: he's always been weird), but somehowI'm glad it's there. Other highlights include the sexual scorcher "DarlingNikki" (with its crazy backwards coda) and that anthemic title tune. Don'tyou miss Wendy and Lisa, too? --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (122)

"Let's Go Crazy And Let's Get Nuts"- One Of Prince's Best!
After Prince went forward and made a major breakthrough with 1982's "1999" that spawned the hit singles "Little Red Corvette" and the dance-pop hit, "1999", Prince and his new band the Revolution began to write music for the album that made him a superstar called "Purple Rain". "Purple Rain" was the first album to be credited to the Revolution that featured longtime keyboardist Matt Fink, drummer Bobby Z, bassist Brown Mark, and the fabulous female duo of guitarist/vocalist Wendy Melvoin and keyboardist/vocalist Lisa Coleman. While Prince strays away from his R&B roots in favor of more pop-oriented styles, that doesn't mean he turned his back on soul music since a lot of the album carries soulful elements. Though the soul is still on Prince's mind, he mixes it up with dashes of metal, new wave, pop, and even some traces of psychedelia. "Purple Rain" was the one that helped launch Prince into superstardom. The album opens up with the rocking, "Let's Go Crazy". As Lisa Coleman's wailing organ and Prince's gospel-like sermon ends, Bobby Z's rhythmic elctric drum tracks comes with metal-blazing guitar riffs and wailing keyboards. Then, there are the puncy bass lines that come in. Next, there is the smooth and psychedelic tune, "Take Me With U", as it opens with the mid-tempo bass drums and the melodic synthesizers that are accompanied by the pounding bass lines. It's a beautiful duet with the Purple Rain movie co-star, Apollonia. The strings are just wonderful. "The Beautiful Ones" is a great R&B-like ballad, which has some great drum work by Bobby Z and Matt Fink's piano and organ-sounding synthesizers are lushy, as well as, great. The tune is about how beautiful women aren't always happy. "Computer Blue" is a funky, pop tune, which is very hard-pounding. The guitar-work and strong backbeat percussion is breathtaking. "Darling Nikki" totally sounds like something from his 1980 album, "Dirty Mind". The song is all about eroticism. The tune has some killer, blazing metal guitars. "When Doves Cry" is probably Prince's greatest song ever. It went #1 on the charts and stayed there for six weeks. The song doesn't have any bass included, it just has percussion, keyboards, and guitars. "I Would Die 4 U" is a up-tempo tune with some great, energetic synthesizer work. "Baby I'm A Star" is a funky, dance-pop song with Prince saying that he doesn't want to stop being a star, until he reaches the top. The spritual-like "Purple Rain", has to be one of the best compositions Prince has done. The song has some well-focused instrumentation in it. It has a beautiful fusion of guitar, cello, violin, drums, and strings. The album, itself, is a major classic. Every song on here are probably Prince's best performances ever. His 1982 album, "1999" might've introduced Prince to pop music, but "Purple Rain" was the one that kept the monumental going. It was the album that took pop music to a whole new horizon. "Purple Rain" is truly a pop landmark. The disc will never leave your CD player, trust me. A+

Gee,What A Toughy!
How do I review an unimpeachable classic?Well lets take a
look at the artists past.Prince had previously been known for
producing his own varried,minimalist elecrto-funk/rock with
overt erotic/political lyrics,even on "1999".But on "Purple Rain"
Prince allows the mass public to enjoy and/or get into his music
without losing his artistic integrity.Side 1 is pretty seamless-
the opening rocker "Let's Go Crazy" and his Apollonia duet in
"Take Me With U" and his unique electro-funk jam "Computer Blue".
The live' Darling Nikky" may delve into the lust of yore but
then you get "When Doves Cry"-simply put the greatest pop creation without a bassline.The intense "I Would Die 4U" doesn't
go very far in it's magnifisance while "Baby,I'm A Star" leads
the Revolution through a major-legue workout.Then theres the
closing tital cut,a brilliant,catchy hard rock ballad that serves
to sum up the overall albums culmination of soul,funk,pop and rock of the past 25 years before this.Black aand white musicians
of all those genres have attempted to do the same thing with
popular music but largly without the multitalented capabilities
of Prince never quite achieved the same feel or results.Unlike
the movie,the "Purple Rain" album is simply breathtaking!

No "Sex Shooter" on this soundtrack
Some labels just have a habit of excluding certain song(s) off movie soundtracks. There are some songs or instrumental beats in a movie that a person may love and hence purchase the soundtrack not for the heck of it but because of that song(s). But leave it to Prince to exclude Apollonia's "Sex Shooter" and the beautiful piano arrangement/piece whatever you want to call it, which was played by his "on-screen" father on the piano. But hey, you can't win 'em all. However, the soundtrack is delicious. Prince is sexy and the lyrics are orgasmic---apps~

Memories
This CD brings back so many memories of 1984-I was staioned overseas in the military that year, and those were some great times. Lots of partying, and the music from this CD takes me back to that period . '84 was a long year with many ups and downs, and Purple Rain reminds me of those times. This is a great additon to my '80s collection, along with Hall and Oates, Billy Ocean, Madonna, Def Leopard, Teena Marie and scores of others. This, IMO, is Prince's best work EVER..a must have for any pop music fan..

Wah-Hoo!
This is one of my favorite records now and when it came out. Prince is a great singer/songwriter, one of the world's best, if I may say so myself. This was Prince's highest selling album, and I can see why. While some other of Prince's releases may seem not my style, this one shows that Prince is one of pop/rock's greatest stars. Adding equal amounts of pop, rock, and funk, Prince shows off his talent. Although this record may seem extremely 80's at first listen, it really is one of those timeless ones, like the Beatles 'Revolver' or Ratt's 'Out Of The Cellar'. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A brave effort at cramming one disc full of Temptations classics, The Ultimate Collection nevertheless makes a couple of puzzling choices. Why, for instance, include "Error of Our Ways," a very minor mid-'90s hit, and ignore "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" or "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)," both number ones from their classic period? Still, for the price, it's hard to argue with. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (30)

A Nice Sampling from a Classic Motown Act
The Temptations were wonderful. David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin were a part of the original hit making lineup in the sixties. This CD has some good classics, but like said before; where's "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep"?! Do we really need "Error of Our Ways"?! That is hardly a great song. Otherwise, while listening to this CD it's good, but you still feel more needs to be there. A nice sampling though!

One of the great Motown groups
This is not quite the ultimate Temptations collection, but it comes close. You could never fit all their great songs on one CD anyway, but the compilers were clearly determined to include some of their later recordings - the last three tracks on this CD. Angel doll, though recorded in 1967, was not one of their big hits - indeed, it was not even released at the time. The inclusion of these four tracks at the expense of real classics, including Beauty is only skin deep, devalues the title somewhat.

Despite the omissions, this is the best single-CD collection of Temptations music currently available and contains many familiar songs. It begins with The way you do the things you do. A big hit in America, it did not chart in Britain. I first came across the song via an excellent cover by Rita Coolidge, but the original version is impressive. Other classic sons here include My girl, Get ready, Ain't too proud to beg, I wish it would rain, Cloud nine, I can't get next to you, Ball of confusion, Just my imagination and Papa was a rolling stone.

Anybody seriously interested in sixties music in general and Motown in particular will enjoy the Temptations. Unless you want to go for a double-CD or a boxed set, this is the CD to choose.

Good sample of the soulful, tempting Temptations!
This is a terrific compilation from probably the best Motown act ever! Yes, there are few errors here: songs like "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep", "I Could Never Love Another After Loving You", "Loneliness Made Me Realize It's You That I Need", and "Psychedelic Shack" are missing. I think I can understand why Motown did what they decided to do with this. The Temptations were a really special group, and their musical output was beyond vast, both with their hits and misses. A wide overview of this output was given and not just stuck to the same era. That's why songs like "Treat Her Like A Lady", which is from the '80s, and "Error Of Our Ways", from the '90s is on here.
I don't why an a capella version of "My Girl" is here, though. If the four songs mentioned above were on this disc, it would be perfect running at nearly 80 minutes. Things were done to preserve continuity. All in all, you can't resist the temptation of purchasing "The Temptations: Ultimate Collection."

It makes you cry...for the wrong reasons
For a serious Temptations fan (exempli gratia, ego) this is a pretty lousy and insufficient compilation. The pattern of lineups in this group can best compared to Lynard Skynard-there are so many flamin' line ups that it gets to the point where it's not the same group anymore; it's just the Temptations by name only. David Ruffin, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, all of them gone. If you ask me, the real Temptations died the early 1970s. In place of indispensable gems of their golden years (id est, the REAL Temptations) such as "Slow Down Heart", "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep", "Just Let Me Know", etc. this "ultimate collection" includes mediocre, (relatively terrible) latter cuts such as "Error of Our Ways". If you endeavor the enchanted staggering, and soul-moving work buy their studio albums prior to 1976 like "Meet The Temptations" and "Temptations Sing Smokey"; the earlier the better. They are more rare, but they are worth the purchase. Also, almost any other Temptations hits compilation is way better. I give this one an extra star for the beautiful closing track, the acapella of "My Girl". It makes me cry and reminds me:

RIP TEMPTATIONS 1961-1976

LOVE THE WAY YOU DO THINGS YOU DO
I SAW THE MOVIE THE TEMPTATIONS AND I THOGHT IT WAS GREAT!
I THINK THE WAY THINGS THE WAY YOU DO IS THE BEST SINGLE
THE EVER EVER MADE!!!!!!!!!! I THINK DAVID IS THE BEST
TEMPTATION!! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best 60s compilation I've seen
I've bought several 60s compilations but this was the only one I've been pleased with. If you like the five songs Amazon lets you preview then you'll like many of the others as well. Surprisingly, the record company resisted the temptation to include just enough good songs to sell the CD and fill the remaining space with garbage... all of the songs are excellent.

Pure 60's = Pure Entertainment
Even if you think you've got all of the songs on this CD, you still need this one. Not only is every song on this CD a #1 song, there are a couple of surprises. Notably, "Hang On Sloopy" which features a verse not usually heard on radio. Also, the version of "Na, Na, Hey, Hey, Kiss Him Goodbye" is an extended version as well. You won't be disappointed with this CD. ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Too Urban & Uninspired
Nivea needs to really change things up if she wants to bein the R&B business.True this album debuted a little better numbers wise, but still isn't the top album on the charts nor a top listen in the R&B circuit.

What makes this album rather unviable is the fact that it is so uninspired.What often gets an R&B artist is they try to be too urban.That is Nivea's problems.The album is so urban that it is boring and would easily make you fall asleep.The material is just bland.After a few listens, the title track "Complicated" has grown on me, but it is still uninspired."Okay" is the one true hit of the album.Maybe she should've payed Lil' Jon to produce the whole album (even though it would sound the same, but it would be better sounding repetitive than just bland).The Other two decent tracks are the remix of "Okay" ([Red Cup Version]) and a nicely sampled "You Are Everything" on "I Can't Mess With You".

What is most shocking to me is that as many hits and productions that R. Kelly has written for numerous artists, that he can't do the same for Nivea.I think that in this case, it must be Nivea. Her voice is somewhat unremarkable, even annoying in some cases.I think that with the right producers and the right songwriters (she co writes alot of material on COMPLICATED) that maybe she could atleast make a 3 star album. This is just a bit off."Okay" is the star track from this album.Another Lil' Jon masterpiece.

get over it a -zero star album
she talks about lil wayne waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy too much, and she claims to be over him. Get over it already, move on my gosh! i can't stand to listen to her 5 year old voice sing about him.She sounds like a sl*t toooooooooo much in her songs, and she wonders why men don't respect females, we got girls like her makin men think we're easy! Naw, cut the ho talk out, cut the annoying baby voice out, and she might be OKAY.THAT WOULD'VE BEEN A F**KIN WASTE OF MONEY, BUT YOU REALLY CAN'T DETERMINE IF AN ALBUM IS GOOD OR NOT JUST BY LISTENIN TO 30 SEC OF IT, YOU MAY THINK IT'S GOOD, BUT WHEN YOU HEAR THE REST, IT'S HORRIBLE, OR THE OTHER WAY AROUND.i ADMIT IT IS A LIL BIT BETTER THAN HER 1RST HORRIBLE CD, EXCEPT SHE DIDN'T TALK LIKE A SL*T ON THAT ONE SOOOO.... I DO AGREE SHE NEEDS SOMEONE ELSE TO WRITE HER LYRICS, AND TAKE VOICE LESSONS PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND STOP F**KIN TALKIN ABUT LIL WAYNE, IT'S ANNOYING AS H*LL!IF YALL DON'T WANT TO HEAR HER SING ABOUT LIL WAYNE IN LIKE, 5 OF THE SONGS ON THERE, YOU SHOULD BORROW IT FROM SOMEONE BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO BUY IT, TO SEE IF YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.IT'S REALLY ALL ON YOU, I CAN'T TELL YOU IF YOU SHOULD BY IT OR NOT, YOU HAVE YOUR OWN OP, BUT I'D SAY IT'S JUST OKAY

HOT FYAH!
This Album is HOTT! Its got it all from beats to just down right good lyrics. Though at times it seems to be a little repetative its a real hot album,probably one of the best RnB albums behind John Legend,Anthony Hamilton, and Bobby Valentino. Go out and buy this one, you will NOT regret it!

Don`t Be Fooled, The Album is GREAT.
This album is really good, the songs on here are GREAT. (Complicated, Parking Lot, Breath, Okay, Okay(rmx), I Can`t Mess With You, etc.) The album is worth buying, Nivea put it down with this album.

Second Time Around Not Really Complicated
This is a really good album.The intro and interlude do sound a bit cheap and unprofessional.You can't really hear what shes saying but skip to number two and its all good.Its obvious to see she did what most of these singers out here need to do..(((practice and take lessons to improve yourselves!!!!))))

1. Rain (Interlude)
2. Complicated(3/5)
3. Okay(4/5)
4. Parking Lot (4/5)
5. Fulton County Correctional Call (Interlude)
6. I Can't Mess With You (4/5)Nic ebeat sounds like a future single
7. Breathe (Let It Go) (5/5)
8. Quickie(5/5)Sounds like could be likely single
9. Indian Dance (4/5)
10. No More (5/5) SHOWCASE HER ABILITY TO SCREAM AND HER RANGE
11. Gangsta Girl(2/5)
12. Okay [Remix] (5/5)Smooth relaxing and better than the original
13. So Far(3/5)


OVERALL GRADE =89/100 A ... Read more