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 (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

Amazon.com

Their remake of "Killing Me Softly" was the hit, but that's only the beginning of the story. A hip-hop trio whose talents reach out into the world of the pop song (Wyclef Jean is a fine guitar player, and Lauryn Hill's a heck of a singer), the Fugees are also all distinctive, inventive rappers--you find yourself waiting for each of them to take the next verse in turn. The beats are the familiar crossed-armed boom-bip, but the group's understated grooves and subtle effects lie low in the mix. Aside from two kicky covers of classics (the other is Marley's "No Woman, No Cry"), The Score'sfocus is on the stars' rhyming with the free-form grace of performance poets and showing that they've thought deeply about the issues they raise. --Douglas Wolk ... Read more

Reviews (60)

"It's Time To Settle The Score!"
What can I say? The Score by the Fugees was definitely their best effort. While the group soon split up and the members, with the exception of Lauryn, tried to capture the Fugees' formula with less success, The Score still stands the test of time. On this release, the Fugees matured from Blunted On Reality and became much more focused. The beats are interesting relying on nice drum and bass lines mixed with reggae, soul, and lots of hip-hop flavor. The lyrics are very good, and the group seems very confident and relaxed when it comes to the delivery. Check out the classic "Fu-Gee-La," the Diamond produced title track, and the posse cut "Cowboys" featuring members of the Outsidaz. And of course, the two cover tunes work. Lauryn proves she is a great singer on "Killing Me Softly" while the "No Woman, No Cry" cover adds a new twist to the classic Bob Marley song. The only low points with this album might be the skits which can get monotonous and stupid after a while. Otherwise, The Score definitely deserves a listen.

A 5 Mic classic according to the Source and Me
This one was a massive comercial sucess in 1996 here is the song
by song review of the Fugees score album.
2.How many Mics-Classic freestyle joint like for Supernat this is not as good as those versions but it is very tight 10/10
3.Ready are Not-One of my favorite rap songs 10/10
4.Zealots-Early 60s 10/10
5.The Beast-Great Produced Album this is tight 10/10
6.Fu Gee La-I was always a fan of the Fugees this tight 10/10
7.Family-They did great on this album 10/10
8.Killing me Softly-Hip Hop Soul classic 10/10
9.The Score-Carribean feel I did not no Pras was this tight 10
10.The Mask-This albums got it all rap-hip hop-raggae not his usual stuff and also Soul 10/10
11.Cowboys-this is pretty raw all of it MCs 10/10
12.No Women Cry-I guess a cover 10/10
13.Manifest-I love the Carribean feel to this album 10/10
16.Mista Mista-Accoustic Guitar pretty tight 10/10
This Album sounds great I have been sleeping.
Lyrics 10/10 Production 10/10 X Factor 10/10 Style 10/10 Voice10

Music 10/10 Innovative 10/10 Classic 10/10 Guest 10/10 Blends 10
Overall 100 This album sounds completely Masterpiece the Source
was good for giving the Fugees there respect they deserve this is a 5 Mic Classic wich is *****Classic

This Is Hip-Hop
"The Score" is one of those unique albums that can never be outdone. Wyclef Jean, Pras, and Lauryn Hill all work together in giving us this classic sophmore album. Guest appearences by John Forte(a member of the Refugee Family), Tha Outsidaz(Rah Digga, Young Zee, Pacewon), Diamond-D, and Omega all do well, but it's really the main trio that make this album great. Wyclef's crazy flow, Pras' laidback rhyming, and Lauryn's angellic voice bring a beautiful flava to this LP that no one else could've done. "How Many Mics" is an example of all three members rhyme skills, especially Pras' who spits, ("too many MC's not enough mics, exit your show like I exit the turnpike"). "Ready or Not" is one of my all time favorite songs, because of the cool beat and the memorable last lines of Wyclef Jean("I think not I'll send a letter to my friends, a born again hooligan only to be king again") and Lauryn's opening line("I play my enemies like a game of chess") and lastly Pras' opening("ready or not refugees taking over"). "Zealots" is a well made song in which Wyclef sings the hook and Lauryn teaches Hip-Hop physics over an amazing beat. But it is Pras who delivers the best lyrical verse("I compress sound sets with my rap DBX, then drop vocals on my 456MPEX, bring terror to the shop of horror, as you cry meamore, the phantom dies in the opera"). "The Beast" is a weirder song and not one of my favorites, though it is not to be skipped. "Fu-Gee-La" is another favorite of mine because of its Caribbean lyrics and beat, and amazing chrorus by Lauryn. "Family Business" is a sad song but another great one with guest rappers Omega and John Forte, rhyming over a frantic beat with a verse surprisingly by Pras(it's the only chorus he does on the whole album). "Killing Me Softly" is a solo song by Lauryn Hill who remakes the song with a Hip-Hop groove. "The Score" is quite simply a lyrical song, produced and guest featuring Diamond-D, the trio drop some of their best rhymes in between a scratched hook. "The Mask" is another good song, with a great chorus and verses. "Cowboys" is the gangsta western song featuring Tha Outsidaz. The mix of Carribean rhymes and hardcore rap is amazing and turns out good, even with the oh-lae-he chorus by Wyclef. "No Woman, No Cry" is another remake, this time of Bob Marley's classic song(Wyclef solo). "Outro(Manifest)" isn't an outro but another real lyrical song where you can actually hear the anger in the trio's voices. The first and best remix of "Fu-Gee-La" is the last great song on the album. The final remix of the song isn't very memorable and not one of my favorites. The final song "Mista, Mista" is very confusing. It's a sad song but you can't help laughing at the constant cussing through the whole song.

The main point is that "The Score" is one of the many classic rap albums of the 90's and was very groundbreaking, because it brought Hip-Hop to the entire world. If you like this album go pick up the trio's solo albums:

*Wyclef Jean- "The Carnival"
*Lauryn Hill- "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill"
*Pras- "Ghetto Supastar"
*Wyclef Jean- "Ecleftic: 2 Sides 2 A Book"
*Wyclef Jean- "Masquerade"
*Wyclef Jean- "The Preacher's Son"

The Fugees are broken up now, but they will always be remembered as one of the greatest and most creative rap group of all time.

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ONE OF THE BEST !
The Fugees are definitely the most complete group of all times. TLC, WuTang, etc all are real good groups, however The Fugees integrated every form of music into rap and made hiphop globally respected. Their themes and videos were the best of all times. The Score is really a street classic. From " Ready or not", cowboys, "the beast". Everything is tight. Lauryn is fascinating though. She really makes fugees what it all is. their breakup is a great loss to the enrichment of hiphop.

The Score [EXPLICIT LYRICS]
The Score [EXPLICIT LYRICS]~ The Fugees is avery good album with great fun and good lyrics. Hill is a good singer and the other guys prevent her from getting to cynical and boring which is her tendency otherwise. A very good album and one should buy it ... Read more

Amazon.com

KC and the Sunshine Band, led by Harry Wayne Casey, brought a bit of male bravado to the predominantly diva-led disco scene. KC and company incorporated a Caribbean feel to their music, with swelling--and staccato--horn parts and multilayered vocals. The repetition of the choruses of "Shake Your Booty" and "That's the Way (I Like It)" had every gold-chain wearing male on the dance floor singing along.While these hits, and "Get Down Tonight," are now disco cultural reference points, "Sound Your Funky Horn," a minor hit earlier in the band's career, has more of an island feel to it. The Best of KC and the Sunshine Band provides a fairly broad sampling of the Sunshine Band's music, including "Keep It Comin' Love," "I'm Your Boogie Man," and the tropical funk of "Boogie Shoes." --Steve Gdula ... Read more

Reviews (26)

All the KC Most People Need
KC & the Sunshine Band, for whatever reason, don't strike me as the kind of band with a massively devoted following. Most folks will probably just want to hear a good collection of their work. This is probably your best bet - containing all the hits (and several that weren't!) from the band. "Get Down Tonight", "That's the Way (I Like It)", "I'm Your Boogie Man", the ballad "Please Don't Go" and the late-period "Give It Up" get the most plays in my player, but the rest of the tracks probably won't disappoint. The inclusion of the early junku/disco tracks "Sound Your Funky Horn" and "Queen of Clubs" adds some needed variety. "Let's Go Rock and Roll" isn't exactly rock, and you'll start swearing you heard "Do You Wanna Go Party" just four or five songs ago - around this point, my interest starts to wane. The liner notes are notably lame for a Rhino Records release, but hey, just peruse 'em once and forget about 'em. Anyone interested in some KC should pick this up, listen to it once, then program around the tracks you're not crazy about. That's what CDs are all about, right?

Still Booty Shakin'
KC was a real guilty pleasure every time his songs got played on the radio, super hooky, catchy as hell and so easy to dance to. Like Motown, its amazing his best tunes can still pack a dance foor in seconds after 20+ years! KC's stuff has been repackaged many times but Rhino has done the best job if you looking for the hits. You get all the original single mixes and excellent liner notes.

My only (little) gripe is that the compilers should have included his 1978 cover of the 4 Tops "It's the Same Old Song" - the song didnt do so well nationwide (it barely scraped the Billboard Top 40) but it still got a lot of regional and dancefloor airplay. Other than that, this whole CD is a lot of fun.

Just excellent!!!!
KC and The Sunshine Band are represented very well, here. All of the songs are terrific and Rhino does their usual fine job of compiling a hit package. I think KC and The Sunshine Band are underrated and they were an important part of the disco/funk evolution. They are without a doubt, one of the funkiest disco bands, ever. This is highly recommended to anyone who likes good disco, with a funky flavor and R & B. I love it!!!

The Best of KC & the Sunshine Band [Rhino 1990]
The Best of KC & the Sunshine Band [Rhino 1990]~ KC & the Sunshine Band is a good collection of their best tracks. Their music is hypnotic with very good tracks and fun lyrics.

I like it
KC and the Sunshine Band were the most successful disco group of the 1970s. They produced a lot of fun records. The songs didn't have any serious messages, but they were had a lot of charm. This is just good time, get up ... and dance music. This CD contains all their big hits and some songs that weren't big hits, but should have been. I would recommend this CD to anybody who is a fan of disco. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Soulful Songs And Stories Cooked Up On Essential Hits Set
This 30-song, one disc collection is Sam Cooke's most lovingly presented and essential single disc released to date. It builds on his 2LP "Man and His Music," itself a revelation when released in the mid-1980s. This set tops it due to remastered sound (this CD has a layer playable in Sony's SACD format), and R&B scholar/author Peter Guralnick's detailed liner notes. Guralnick, author of several books on Southern rock and soul, examines the roots of all 30 songs, performers backing and dueting with Cooke, his inspirations for writing and singing them.

This is important because Sam Cooke's songwriting and storytelling skills are as much his legacy as his Gospel music beginnings, his mysterious, untimely 1964 murder, and his influence on Steve Perry (whose "Lovin' Touchin', Squeezin" was a Cooke tribute of sorts), Rod Stewart (who claimed he listened only to Cooke records for two whole years as a teen), Terrence Trent D'Arby and a generation's rock and R&B singers.

Cooke's chart hits are here, except for the relatively minor "Soothe Me" and "Frankie & Johnny." You get his gentle, intricate vocal trills on his first singles for the Keen in the 1950s (1957's #1 "You Send Me," "Wonderful World," "Cupid"). You get his rethinks of country, blues, even pop standards ("Tennessee Waltz" becomes a gospel rave up; "Little Red Rooster" a slow churn blues with a teenage Billy Preston's extra cheesy organ, "Summertime" a vocal showcase with offbeat rhythm and guitar). Finally, you get Cooke's rollicking humor and detailed lyrics on his dance hits ("Shake," the dancers' garb and moves in "Twistin' the Night Away," the hip DJ requests in "Havin' A Party.")

Guralnick refers often to Cooke's phrasing, which found soul and poetry approximating daily speech. On his greatest artistic achievement, 1964's finale "A Change is Gonna Come," Cooke tops even himself. He takes Bob Dylan's lyrical challenge in "Blowin' In The Wind" (which Cooke admired for being written and performed as pop by whites) and, through hopeful words sung as near-weeping laments, he approximates the timbre and granduer of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech given less than a year before.

"Portrait" set is bookended with Cooke leading Gospel's legendary Soul Stirrers for two songs. They not only define soul's gospel roots but showed Cooke sang a great Bible story as easily as from a cha-cha crowded dance floor, highway prison road gang, or lonely room. For more, reach for his dark, mellow "Night Beat" or the "Man Who Invented Soul" multi-disc. Ultimately, "Portrait" underrates itself; it's more like a small, soulful slice-of=life gallery from one of music's seminal artists.

5 Star Magic from the best voice ever but read before buying
What can I say about one of the most inspiring/soothing singers of all time? Sam Cooke possessed the sweetest voice in soul, and his elegant vocal style inspired almost every singer worth his nickle. He was also a terrific songwriter, and the string of hits created prior to his death in 1964 was unrivaled.

I can hear this CD non-stop for days, weeks,.... It should be mandatory for all singers to listen to this release as it showcases a singer whose delivery was so elegant and did not have to go through vocal gymnastics to bring it home. It did not matter whether he was singing traditional pop, soul, gospel, or (you name it), as it all came back to Sam's voice and elegant delivery.

This collection has all the songs, including the indispensible "A Change Is Gonna Come". Sam's version continues to be THE definitive version and any collection that overlooks it should be banned. As you can imagine I give this my highest recommendation. Also worth noting this release has been remastered to blow away all previous efforts and unlike the previous single CD greatest hits collection, this one has an informative insert that tells us a little bit about the history of the songs.

NOTE: This state-of-the-art digital audio release titled is a magical 31-track greatest hits release that has been replaced the already amazing "The Man And His Music," a 28 greatest hits collection released in the 1980s. There is one downside to the CD as it is a hybrid with SACD capability, so that it will play in regular CD players and those with the SADC technology. The only problem lies in that, like other hybrid SACDs you cannot make a personal copy or grab any of the songs to put in a personal mix. For me that is a huge downside as I make lots of mixes to reflect different moods and favorite all time songs; notwithstanding if you just plan on listening to it and don't mind that you won't be able to pick and choose songs to make a mix, there is no better choice than this release.

During 2003 and now I've found myself listening to the new releases by Al Green and Ron Isley as well as this release, and I am reminded that new artists have it really hard as Sam and others raised the bar so high and so early that it makes it virtually impossible for anyone to make better sounding music. There are some out there who show much promise and I am always trying to support them, but Sam is Sam and God bless him.

OUTTA SIGHT!!!!
THIS IS A TERRIFIC ALBUM BY A TERRIFIC ARTIST. I LIKE EVERY SONG ON THIS ALBUM. IN FACT, AFTER HEARING THIS ALBUM MADE ME PURCHASE SOME OF THE SOUL STIRRERS GOSPEL MUSIC. I LOVE THIS ALBUM I LOVE SAM COOKE THIS IS A NICE SAM COOKE COMPILATION AND IT INCLUDES A LOT OF MY FAVORITES I WOULD RECOMMEND ANY SAM COOKE FAN TO PURCHASE THIS ALBUM I LOVE IT!!!!!!

Best Cooke collection so far
The treatment of the music of the definitive soul singer, Sam Cooke, during the CD-era, at least so far, has fallen far short of his contributions. Complicating the situation is the split ownership of his catalog. The now out-of-print "Man And His Music" was a decent compilation of Cooke's charted hits but was deservedly criticized for some poor mastering and resultant less-than-optimal sound quality. RCA/BMG released a much better sounding "best-of" a few years ago but by then the later Cooke tracks controlled by ABKCO were not made available for that piece, leaving it as a frustratingly unfinished career retrospective. This collection is from ABKCO and therefore contains those later recordings but fortunately and ironically, contains the earlier stuff, being licensed from RCA. With all this ownership infighting overcome, we finally get a truly high-quality, well-executed overview of the music of Sam Cooke. From a sampling of his seminal early sides with the Soul Stirrers up through his pop and smooth soul golden age on the charts in the mid 60's, this piece represents a "must-have" for any serious or casual CD collection. The generous 30 tracks in the best sound yet with many in stereo, the exceptions being tracks 1-3,5-7,9,10,15,30, is accompanied by an informative liner notes booklet with info on each of the included tracks. As a collector, due to their inane refusal to license anything they control to other willing CD producers, this reviewer bristles whenever seeing the ABKCO name, but credit must be given where credit is due. And here, Cooke's material gets the treatment it deserves. An absolute must.

A Perfect Single-Disc Portrait of Soul Music
James Brown may be the Godfather of Soul, but Sam Cooke created the genre--and no one has done it better since. His first charting single, "You Send Me," sold two million copies and was a No. 1 pop hit for three weeks in 1957. Cooke would go on to place 29 singles in the Top 40 (including three after his untimely death in 1964), and 22 of them are included on this collection.

For fans who have been lamenting the deletion of the 1986 collection THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC, this new anthology is welcome news indeed. Not only does PORTRAIT OF A LEGEND duplicate all but five of that earlier collection's tracks (including the poignant "A Change Is Gonna Come"), the disc is playable as a regular CD and as a Super Audio Compact Disc. [I don't have an SACD player, but the sound quality on my regualr CD player is nothing short of stunning!]

Fans who were hoping for a generous sampling of Cooke's work with the Soul Stirrers will be disappointed. [And the title which includes the dates 1951-1964 would certainly lead you to expect as much.] However, the only Soul Stirrer's track is the gorgeous "Jesus Gave Me Water," recorded during his first sessions with the group just two months after joining in 1951. {Every other track was recorded between 1956-1964.]

Another plus to this new collection is the informative 32-page booklet. Author Peter Guralnick (who is working on a biography of Cooke) includes an essay and insightful track-by-track commentary on each song. Recording session information is included for every track including dates, producer, and musicians used.

The album closes with an uncredited 32-second interview. The interviewer asks Cooke to hum eight bars to show the listeners what soul sounds like. After he's done, the interviewer states,
"Sam Cooke's yours; he'll never grow old." He's right. ESSENTIAL ... Read more

Album Description

"Comin' From Where I'm From" utilizes a copy-protection technology that allows the CD to play on nearly all standard playback devices, including CD players, DVD players, car stereos, boomboxes, PCs, Macs, Walkmans, and game consoles. Using the original disc, consumers can transfer this album to their personal computers. From their computer, consumers can also transfer the music to a secure portable device and burn three copies to CD-R. Mac users can transfer tracks to an iPod, but PC users can not transfer tracks to an iPod. ... Read more

Reviews (161)

I give it 4 1/2 stars, great CD
OK if your reading this your probably wondering if this CD is worth buying. Two words: Oh Yes! First of all if you are expecting to hear R&B/Rap as you hear in much diluted R&B today then look elsewhere. Because this set of songs, save a few, is all about love, mostly lost love. My favorite of the set so far is "Charlene"(I just noticed two of the songs have been named after women, and I dont know if any other artists has done that on an album), anyway, if you just listen to this song just imagine his situation as he singing about it you can feel his pain and where hes coming from. At one point as the song is fading out, he sings in an rugged almost tearful yet smooth voice "Sometimes I cry, Charlene if your listenin', could you call me? Cause my heart is aching without you, call me, see about me." When you hear him sing that line there that should convince you this man is for real if you havent already been convinced by hearing the title track. It makes me almost wonder if he really did have a relationship gone wrong with a woman named Charlene. 9 of the 12 tracks are about love, and like one other reviewer said, its not depressing to where you feel bad like after coming out of a sad movie, but when you are listenin to it you feel what hes saying at the moment. Buy it now you wont be dissapointed, unless your not a fan of good old R&B. This man satisfies both of the letters in R&B. Rhythm, and definitely blues.

Impressive!
Combining what's great about our past, and the progressions of today, Anthony Hamilton's debut does not disappoint. Conjuring images of Al Green, Otis Redding, and Sam Cooke, Hamilton proves that he is a force to be reckoned with in his own right. In an age when "Booty Rhymes" rule, it's inspiring to hear a singer that sings from within, thus creating soul music. In addition "Coming Where I'm From" is exceptionally produced. On songs like "Charlene" and "Lucille", you can actually feel the emotion that Hamilton conveys for these women. His duet with Latanya Richardson as well as the title track, are stand-outs. If there is any draw back to the album, you may walk away feeling some experiment. Arista Records, has decided to unveil or unleash the new copy protected "Smart CD", which limits copying and sharing usage. The disc as side effect may not play on your CD player. It is an unfortunate risk that Arista, is asking you to take, however if the disc does work, it is a risk well worth it. This is a project well befitting the talented Mr. Hamilton.
Jivon Jackson

Another great Soulful album
This album was like a breathe of fresh air. 'My first love' was excellent, reminded me of fire & desire from rick james and teena marie, a very beautiful duet. 'Charlene' was a very personal track, I feel his pain from past experiences. And another stand out track is 'Since I seen't you', another great soulful ballad by mr. hamilton. This is album is very well produced, written and performed. He has the heart and drive of past soulful greats like the Dramatics, Stylistics, Barry White, you get the picture. This is a must have for the lover in you.

Much Needed Artist
I've listened to all types of music for years and I must say that Anthony Hamilton is a much needed sound to music today. He brings soul to today's music that many artist lack. He is just a raw, natural talent and it is so refreshing to hear him sing. His album is soothing and easy-going, but also has much power and soul. Thank you Anthony Hamilton for reviving soul music.

Hamilton Jazzes The Soul with the Funk of Soul like no other
Anthony Hamilton!!! His CD "Coming From Where I'm From" What can I say to describe him? Intriguingly jazzy, Soul. I heard the brotha on an awards show, I think, the BET Gospel Awards show earlier this year-maybe. Everything in my mind, my spirit, my body ceased momentarily and my soul was definitely taken, captivated like never before. Hamilton is the Kenny G of Soul.

I was like whooh! Who is this Brotha? Honey, he sings a gospel song in such a way that he takes one back in the day as thought they were birthed and lived in the day. The brother has that funky jazz that jazzes the blues in a sister's soul. Anthony has that Deep Down mesmerizing sensational stuff that a women wants
to experience and enjoy. Particularly if she has long awaited such emotional confessions and desires the earnest dedication of her significant other. Hamilton has that Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Eddie Levert funk that can put Georgia on your mind like Ray Charles.

I am dazzled with "My First Love" and "Coming From Where I'm From" and "I'm Messed Up" and "Charlene" and "Float" are elegantly inticing for lovemaking. Hamilton's joint is the Joint-the entire CD.

I like Cornbread, Fish & Collard Greens to because he tells this evidently attractive and desirable, succulent, yet too outward woman, about how she needs to gain control of herself and how he could rock her world. Yet with the tracks on this CD, he touches everybody even mothers with "Mamma Knew Love".

Charlene,the video-Man!, Hamilton is still feeling Charlene for him to get down in that video, pounding with every ounce of his soul-his emotions. Sister's want to know that a man will cry and release his spirit, mind, body and soul with such expressions.

Hamilton is, with great capability, Jones(ing) the women with the emotions and soul of his loving lyrics like no other. Any woman or man who is no greatly touched by "Coming From Where I'm From" has never known love. ... Read more

Amazon.com

India Arie seems comfortable in her own body. She told us as much on both "Video" and "Brown Skin" from her stunning debut album, Acoustic Soul, which celebrated the diversity of feminine beauty, self-acceptance, and spirituality. She addresses similar themes on her second outing, although much of her original soul-scouring fire is gone. While she still preaches self-empowerment, many of her lyrics veer toward the trite, and that's not where we expected to go on this Voyage to India. In fact, there are very few self-revelatory moments like the ones on Soul. Arie seems bent on journeying to the center of womankind's mind, rather than unearthing more of her own autobiography, casting herself as adviser to the disempowered. But that is not where Arie shines. When she strips her voice down to its unvarnished essence--leaving all the imperfections in the mix--she is a lithe, ethereal presence. She's capable of raising chills, as when she sings of a man who foretells his death on "Good Man." Or on "Complicated Man," where she lets her voice run ragged, brimming with raw emotion while describing her imperfect love. Despite some glibness, this is still a voyage worth taking. --Jaan Uhelszki ... Read more

Reviews (140)

I took the voyage to India and found it refreshing!!!
India.arie has done it again!!! If you are looking for really good, spiritual, and meaningful music then Voyage to India is definitely the cd for you. Just like her first cd, I was caught up by her voice, her lyrics, and her originality. Her first single, "Little Things" is a beautiful song but she has so much more to offer like "Talk to Her" which is a song that cries out for men to treat women with respect. "The Truth", "The One", and "Beautiful Surprise", are all deep love songs. I literally can not decide which is my favorite between "The Truth" and "The One". "Complicated Melody" is so different but so original and has a country flavor to it. She has a couple of songs on her cd that has a Sade-like appeal to them but it is still all India. "Good Man" is a sad song about a husband and father passing away and it is good as well. All of India's songs are about love, life and lessons learned. I am truly a fan of India.Arie and wish her nothing but the best. India stay the same and keep it original because that is what real music is about.

Call Me Insane, but I Expected More.
It's amazing what a few Grammy nominations can do. India.Arie's debut album of folk-laced soul didn't break any new ground, but it was an overall appealing mix of catchy tunes and positive messages that were a welcome alternative to the talk-show/men-bashing lyrics of her ghettoized peers. And even though she walked home empty-handed on Grammy night, her debut album, "Acoustic Soul," enjoyed robust multiplatinum sales. Expectations are naturally high, and I hoped that her followup "Voyage to India," would be a musical and lyrical step forward from her debut. While the album is thoroughly listenable from start to finish, "Voyage to India" just doesn't serve a platter filling enough to stick to your ribs. Arie has her heart in the right place, and her intentions are noble, but the truth remains that she's a passable lyricist, often resorting to "love yourself" cliches that become one-dimensional. And while the music is pleasing, the folkish, acoustic-based melodies and choruses seem a bit predictable. However, I really dug "Little Things," the sincerity of the love song "Beautiful Surprise," and "Get it Together." While "Voyage to India" is an okay album, it pales in comparison to better, superior albums we've heard in the last year from "Cookie" by MeShell Ndegeocello, the flawed yet fascinating "Unplugged" set from Lauryn Hill, and "How Do I" from Res. Ultimately, it's a "Voyage" that takes off promisingly without ever reaching its final destination.

Decent But Not Too Memorable
RnB/Soul singer, India Arie Simpson released her sophomore album in September 2002. Most sophomore albums by other neo-soul artists, such as D'Angelo and Macy Gray (note that I haven't heard either of these albums) were deemed by fans to have fallen to the dreaded sophomore slump so India Arie had a lot to prove. India Arie proved she had undeniable talent with her debut album, both lyrically and vocally and most fans tend to compare the two albums. On both, India Arie wrote or co-wrote all the songs and she writes about meaningful topics such as self-respect and communication in relationships. On her sophomore album, "Voyage To India", India Arie provides her wonderful lyrics and vocals in songs that seem to tell what many women are thinking of, rather than being self-reflective as she was on her debut.

India Arie starts her sophomore album off with a short intro, just over a minute in length, called "Growth" which states that the only thing that is constant in the world is change. It's a somewhat pointless intro, but the statement she makes is definitely true. The second track is an mid-tempo song called "Little Things". As expected by the title, this song talks about appreciating the little things in life such as a "call in the morning from my little sister singing me happy birthday". As with most of India Arie's songs, the lyrics are not complex but are beautiful in their simplicity. Next comes "Talk To Her", a somewhat preachy song about how to talk to a woman. India Arie instructs the listener to treat the woman with respect and "talk to her the way you want someone to talk to your mama". In other words, talk to her respectfully no matter what she's wearing ("It doesn't matter if she's wearing a miniskirt or a business suit"), a message that desperately needs to be heard in today's society. The song also talks about the importance of respect and communication in relationships.

Afterwards comes the mid-tempo "Slow Down", a debatable album highlight. The song speaks about taking life day by day and not rushing through everything. The lyrics are once again simple yet beautiful. It's about remembering that speed isn't always the best way to achieve your goals. Next comes the romantic "The Truth", with its lyrics seemingly half-spoken, half-sung (more like spoken to a tune). Nonetheless, a sweet, romantic song about what India Arie loves about her man. The next song, "Beautiful Surprise", has a similar theme about finding love when you least expect it. It was written by India Arie alone and really shows off her talent for songwriting. After comes a short interlude, "Healing" which talks briefly about releasing all sadness from you. Like most interludes however, it is not too memorable.

Subsequently come two songs about moving away from the pains of the past, "Get It Together" and "Headed in The Right Direction". "Get It Together" is another somewhat preachy song that talks about having to get it together to heal your body and heart. It is a beautiful song when you listen to it but in the grand scheme of things, it does not stand out. "Headed In The Right Direction" fares much better, probably because it is more upbeat however it is fairly short compared to the other songs on the album. After that comes "Can I Walk With You" is an album highlight that seems to talk about taking friendship to another level and it is probably my favourite song on the album. Then comes "The One", a very overused song title but this is probably one of the better songs of that title. Lyrically and vocally it is a unique (in a good way) song but it is also quite short.

Next comes "Complicated Melody" another romantic, metaphoric song that compares India's man to colours, numbers and songs. It sounds somewhat odd when you read the lyrics but India pulls it off well enough that it sounds nice. Otherwise, it adds little to the quality of the album. The song, while it sounds nice, is a little too full of metaphors and comparisons. Following this comes another interlude, "Gratitude" which is not much different from the other two. Then comes another highlight, "Good Man", another romantic kind of song but better then some of the others on the album. India's lyrics and vocals work so well together and with the beat as well. The second last track, "God Is Real" has beautiful lyrics but the beat and vocals sound too similar to other material on the album. Finally, there is the bonus track "Interested" which doesn't stand out at all compared to the other tracks. The verses are not very interesting and only the chorus really sounds great.

Overall Mark: 3/5

Although this is still a great album, "Voyage To India" does not have the same amount of truly memorable material that made India Arie's debut so good. The songs provide great messages but many of them sound too similar and lack anything to really distinguish one from the other. As a whole the album sounds great, but when you break it down, many of the songs sound like one long song with only slight changes to the beat and, of course, different lyrics. India Arie has undeniable talent but her album lacks the catchy tunes that made similar artists, like Jewel (similar in the fact that she writes meaningful lyrics rather then Britney Spears style pop), so memorable. The album definitely has some highlights but it mostly seems too similar to be memorable.

Headed In The Right Direction
I purchased India's first cd, "Acoustic Soul" upon hearing constant airplay of "Video" and am very contented with my purchase. Upon learning about India's second release "Voyage to India" I immediately ran to the store to purchase it, without hesitation. I was definitely surprised to learn that "Voyage" sounds nothing like the "Acoustic Soul" that I so fondly enjoyed. In light of this discovery, I will say this: Though I expected work that would match that of India's first effort, and was initially disappointed that it didn't, upon listening to the album a second and third time, I realized that this time around India has come close to mastering her gift. She has a way of delivering messages that come packaged in simplicity, while the content is unexpectedly meaningful and emotional. This is what I have come to appreciate with this second album. It is evident through her songs and delivery that she has grown as an artist, knows what is important and is quite self-possessed. As a result, though "Acoustic Soul" is an excellent first effort that should have earned her a grammy, "Voyage to India" is actually a better album in the sense that India.Arie has learned what it actually means to be an artist, a creator. This is most evident in songs like "Little Things" "The Truth" and "Complicated Melody" which happen to be my favorites. Despite having favorites, there are no songs that I dislike, and you can rest assured that a thoughtful message will be delivered on each track. I pray that India.Arie will continue her voyage and be generous enough to share her discoveries with us.

Took time, but it won me over
At first, I didn't like this album as much as ACOUSTIC SOUL. The lyrics seemed less complex and less passionate. It's also heavily produced.

But it wound up in the regular listening rotation because bottom line is -- it still has her heart. And I can feel that every time I listen to it.

When you listen to India Arie, it's not just one thing or another that you're getting out of the listening experience. It's not just the words or else the smooth feel, or else the guitar. It's a strong spirit that's more than the sum of its parts. No matter whether you like one song a little better than another or one album a little better than another... in the end, it still has that broad feel, that spiritual depth that sinks in and makes you a little better for listening.

If you liked ACOUSTIC SOUL, I'd buy this ... and prepare to give it a few listens before its spirit seaps in. It really adds another layer to the gifts of heart she gave us in the first album. But I'd still by the other one first! ... Read more

Amazon.com

As the lead female voice of family gospel band the Staple Singers, Mavis Staples has shown more than a little faith across four decades, using her voice as a powerful instrument in the battle for civil rights and the eternal struggle for salvation (as well as pop hits). Here, on her first CD of new material since 1993's Prince-produced The Voice, the 64-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer seems relaxed. That's why acoustic treatments of tunes like "Step Into the Light" and the Blind Lemon Jefferson tribute "A Dying Man's Plea" sound so good wrapped around her warm honey-and-grits tones, with slide guitars and fiddles following the easy flow of her melodies. Nonetheless, there's a simmering intensity to her performances, though she eases for sweet recollections in the uplifting biography of her late father Roebuck, "Pop's Recipe." Yet Staples always remains strong enough to render the disc's overabundance of lite-funk arrangements irrelevant. --Ted Drozdowski ... Read more

Amazon.com

Produced by the infamous Dr. Dre with assistance from Mr. Suge Knight, Doggy Style was the first solo outing by Calvin Broadus a.k.a. Snoop Doggy Dog. Incorporating a straight gangsta vibe into the deep funk grooves pioneered by George Clinton and his Parliament-Funkadelic ensemble, Snoop and Dre dogmatically invent the "G-Funk" aesthetic. Espousing an irreverent dope, bitches, and guns mentality, Doggy Style garnered the Parental Advisory for explicit lyrics it sorely deserved. Still, Snoop's lazy-yet-acrobatic rap/drawl is distinctive and undeniably entertaining. With additional vocals from Tha Dogg Pound (Nate Dogg, Warren G, Kurupt, and Dat Nigger Daz), this disc is deceptively professional and musically quite slick. "Murder Was The Case" is practically an inner-city classic, while "Ain't No Fun" is another blunted, urban-rap anthem. Woof! --Mitch Myers ... Read more

Reviews (110)

a must have rap classic!
1. Bathtub - Umm... sort of pointless.... (4/10)    
2. G Funk Intro - Cool song. Dr.Dre makes an appearence in it. (9/10)    
3. Gin and Juice - Awesome song. Love it. (10/10)    
4. That Shiznit - Great beats (10/10)   
5. Lodi Dodi  - Not a big fan of this one. (2/10)  
6. Murder Was the Case (Death After Visualizing Eternity) - Awesome song. (10/10)    
7. Serial Killa - Great, but many better ones. (8.5/10)    
8. Who Am I? (What's My Name) ? - Awesome song. One of my favorites. (10/10)   
9. For All My N**** and B****** - Great track. (9/10)    
10. Ain't No Fun (If My Homies Can't Have None) - My favorite. This is an awesome song. (10/10)    
11. Doggy Dogg World - Great Snoop hit. (9/10)   
12. GZ and Hustlas - An okey track....(6/10)   
13. Pump Pump - Awesome. Love the beats. (10/10)

One of the Top Rap Albums Ever!
Every track on this CD is good. There is not ONE bad track to speak of, and that's a huge accomplishment by itself. This is the perfect complement to The Chronic. Both albums define the very nature of what G-Funk and rap are all about. It's produced by Dr. Dre, and his influence is seen in every track through incredibly irrestible beats (a la The Chronic). This CD has some of the best beats ever heard on a rap album, combined with incredible lyrics and Snoop's best style. Guest appearances from The Dogg Pound rappers are excellent, and this is by far Snoop's best rapping.

This CD CANNOT be compared to any other Snoop Dogg CD; it surpasses any of his other albums with ease. There are so many classics on this album ("Gin and Juice," "Murder Was the Case," "Ain't No Fun," "Tha Shiznit," etc.) and the others, though less played, are equally as good. If you liked The Chronic (in other words, if you like real rap with incredible beats and lyrics) then buy this album. It will not disappoint. This goes along perfectly with The Chronic and many debate which album is better. Either way, you cannot lose with this album: It is easily one of the best rap albums EVER.

give black people their own country
the black "race" is always complaining that they want to have their own everything such as colleges. i have an idea, america should take every blackie out of society and give them their own territory with their own government, schools, etc. this will be very amusing because their country would crumble within the first few days. and i would send letters to the taliban asking them to bomb the new and "much deserved" country after it crumbles to destroy the ashes and crumbled buildings that now lie there just to be sure that i won't have to hear this crappy music blasting and hear blackies pathetic cries of injustice and "White america owes me."

thank you

now die

3 and 1/2
I bought this album not too long ago, too young to hear it when it first came out (I was 8), but not too old to dislike it. Around 5 years after this album came out, it was deamed a classic, probably because it came out so long ago. There's some quality tracks here (G Funk Intro, Gz and Hustlas, Serial Killer, Ain't No Fun), but there's some garbage here too. If you like rap, you'll love this, but for me, this album was a little dissapointing. So if you're not the biggest rap fan, be prepared to be let down. Snoop Dogg's still the man though.

pretty good
this is the best of snoop right here. Ever since he left deathrow his music just aint as good. However he did very well on Dr. Dre 2001 & The Marshal Mather's Lp.

Oh well, thats just my opinion ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sade's brand of elegant pop/R&B owned the charts in the '80s, making the Nigerian/British chanteuse one of those artists whose very name becomes the adjective to describe their sound. After an eight-year layoff, Sade and her core band (and longtime producer Mike Pela) are back with a CD that is both a stunning reaffirmation of her artistry and a solid soulful collection. Perhaps the best thing that can be said about Lovers Rock is that it picks up where Sade left off, which means you will hear no cool beats or hot hired hands or hip-hop cameos. This is Sade music, and on the firstsingle, "By Your Side," she glides back into the spotlight on gentle,countryish, sparse wings--singing, once again, about love's power to redeem. Of course, Sade knows that love can stink: listen to the dub-riddim-tinged "Every Word" and cry tears of recognition. Decidedly female but utterly universal, grown up yet not hardened, Lovers Rock ranks as one of the best of the year, and marks the return of a true original. --AmyLinden ... Read more

Reviews (439)

Sade Adu still shines brightly; Sade, the group fades a bit
Again, as with the early CDs, Sade Adu comes forth as a complete woman, strong and supportive, yet vulnerable. As with the former collections, the strongest songs (IMHO) are grouped in front. With "By Your Side" and "Flow", she portrays strength in standing by her man, loving and supportive. "King of Sorrows" expresses deep sadness and yet there's no self-pity in this woman living in a real world of hurt. "Somebody Already Broke My Heart" expresses a deep past hurt with courage and hope as she ventures forth for the love she needs. These are emotional songs speaking to the women who experience these emotions and also to the men in their lives. Here is the appeal of Sade Adu and it's every bit as strong at the time the record was released as it was 15 years earlier when she first came into the music scene.

Another notable song is "The Sweetest Gift" which may be a lover's song, but also works as a mother's song. And of course, there is the title song, "Lovers Rock".

I do admire Sade Adu for including songs of social consciousness in her collections. "Slave Song" and "Immigrant" do not preach to us, but they portray past and present injustice.

Sade Adu's fans won't be disappointed by this set, but jazz fans will be. Her first three albums were distinguished by superior jazz work and by the way she gave the group space in which to perform. Stewart Matthewman's sax faded in LOVE DELUXE, but the group still had their chance to play some cool and smooth jazz in the final instrumental. Not so here. The percussion sounds like a drum machine and the keyboard and guitar are very subdued. I miss that distinctive jazz backing.

However, if you have other Sade CDs, you'll want this one; and if you don't have any yet, c'mon, get with it! This is a good enough one to start with!

She's done it again!
True, the voice sounds a little older and deeper, true, the saxophones that graced DIAMOND LIFE and PROMISE are gone, but Sade's trademark is still there: soft, sweet, elegant and romantic music, powered by her beautiful melodies and lifted by her unique, understated yet expressive vocals. Most of these songs are powered by a gentle, soft acoustic guitar rather than a sax and jazz drumming, but that gives LOVERS ROCK a warm, romantic quality - perfect for snuggling up in a comforter with a mug of hot cocoa on a cold winter's night. I've heard Sade's sound described as "aural comfort food," and I think that sums it up nicely. As in the past, Sade's lyrics aren't exactly Nobel Prize-winning poetry, but are lifted and given new meaning by her voice and her backing band. Favorite tracks: the title song, "King Of Sorrow," "All About Our Love," "Somebody Already Broke My Heart," and "Immigrant" (a simple yet moving song about the pain of racial prejudice).

hope is an agent in the world.!!!!
ACOUSTIC, LUSH, DECIDEDLY SPARSE AND BEAUTIFUL. SADE never disappoints especially here on LOVERS ROCK.The countryish opener of "by you side" which uses hope as its core, remember hope is an agent in this world of dismay and hunger for tenderness and truth;JUST as sure as the album opens with that sheer hope it closes with the same joy and openess. Each of SADE recordings shine and shift, but here there is a distinct sound. a change to a more cohesive nod to reggae gentle and perfect in delivery and content. IT IS POWERFUL in its vuneralbilty.SADE IS JUST SO COMPLETE AND TRUE. THIS BAND IS CONSISTENT. A MUST FOR THE MASSES. BEYOND WORDS.BRAVO.

Relaxing
I purchased Sade's Lover's rock album back in 2000-2001. I found her album to really satify my need to relax and think about situations I was going through. Her delightful voice combined with her soulful lyrics produces a serine enviorment for any true music lover. Lover's Rock is not much different from any other album she has previously released. Her songs are based on the same topics, love and relationships which I feel to be a good thing it shows consistency. Lover's Rock has proven for me to be the best song on the album, and it's also the the title for the album.Her hit single King of sorrow also display her talent and ability to touch her audience. I plan to have this album in my cd rotation for a long time.

The Rock That I Sing To....
A few months ago I bought Sade's ''By Your Side'' CD Single because I thought it was a awesome song that reminded me allot of the previous hit ''No Ordinary Love''. Well, what I didn't know is that there was a full and great album out there ''Lovers Rock'' that I didn't have. So on another occasion, I was browsing through contemporary R&B, Soul, Trip-Hop and I found ''Lovers Rock'' there.-- I was curious, so I HAD to get this.

And what I found was a excellent soulful album that has space for everything that keeps you calm and chilled-out. I think that this is Sade's best album to date, really great!. I hope she releases another great disk like this!.

My favorite track is the title track ''Lovers Rock'' which is a esque-portishead trip-hop track, with great production value and the chorus rocks!!!. Other great one's are ''By Your Side'', a deeply entrancing and sensual song with great lyrics (check out Shania Twain's ''From This Moment'' for a almost identical track.), ''Somebody Already Broke My Heart'', ''All About Our Love'' and ''It's Only Love That Gets You Through'' are nice songs to sleep to, very relaxing.

This a essential album that would satisfy any Sade, Dido, Massive Attack, Portishead and Sinead O'Connor fan. Excellent!. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!.

Enjoy! ... Read more

Amazon.com

As the title would lead to you to believe, these are the greatest hits from a group that had a fair share of hits in the late '60s and early '70s.Too pop savvy to be merely a funk band, and too damn funky to be just a rock band, Sly and his multicultural crew made intelligent party music that crossed boundaries and became AM radio staples. Included in this collection are smashes like "Dance to the Music", "M'lady", "Sing A Simple Song", "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)" and "Everybody is a Star".--Amy Linden ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Great CD! Makes you move and groove
This CD was on for 6.99, so I thought, "What the heck. It's the band who did Dance to the music." (I thought that's the only hit song they had). Then I put the CD in and the first thing I heard was "I want to Take you Higher." And I thought, "Sly and the Family Stone did this? Wow". It just got better with "Everyday People", "Hot Fun in the Summertime," "Thank you (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" and "You can Make it if you Try." There's nice funk and groove musac (aka music, when it's funk you call it Musac). Has some slow songs too like "Everybody is a Star". Awesome CD. If you have no idea who Sly and the Family Stone is, get this CD, if you do know who Sly and the Family Stone, get this CD. DANCE TO THE MUSAC!

The band that made pop funky, and FUN...HOT FUN..
Anybody who was under, say 25 in 1969..and had a pulse, 'got' this, and really, really dug it. Every single track is a testament to how GOOD this band was. Hendrix and Sly (and of course Ritchie Havens...whose life and world all begin with a dream'; and advertiser's dream, that is) were the only "black cross-over" acts at Woodstock, and Sly, I think, outdid Hendrix. Back then that really counted. This CD will bring back the "hot fun in the summertime" - and as Cynthia says..."all the squares, "GO HOME!!"

Psychedelic funk at its best!
There was, and is, only one band like "Sly & the Family Stone". A group that put the "H" in high produced a slew of hits during the 70's. There was some major ones to follow the tracks gathered, but this "greatest" package, for the buck, is a "must-buy". The album version of "I Want to Take You Higher", presented here in all its glory,is a brilliant tour de force, combining R & B, pop, and funk with the masterful of Sly and company.

One word : FUNKEY!!!
You gotta love Sly. If you can put on this cd loud enough, and remain quiet, check your pulse! The grooves are so powerful, they define funk, and they make you wanna move! The first song just grabs you, and it doesn't let go until the last. Great grooves, great vocals. Now, I think we need to clarify. A reviewer said that Freddie invented slap bass lines. I think not. It was Larry Graham, even before getting into S&tFS. One of the first (if not the first) recording of slapped electric bass is "Thank You", a track included here. Now, get your afro wig, your plattform shoes, and dance to the music!

Everyday Star
Greatest Hits concluded the first phase of Sly and the Family Stone's career, neatly summing up their boisterous, politic-pop era. But the darkness was creeping in, as heard on the sarcastic "Thank You (Fallenme Be Mice Elf Agin)" and the resigned "Everybody is a Star." Sly's next move would be the mercurial There's a Riot Goin' On, and then his subsequent slippage. Greatest Hits is one of the few "best-of" packages which serves as a complete statement rather than the typical career supplement of most such collections. This stunning set covers a mere two years of recording and argues favorably for the group place alongside The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. ... Read more

Reviews (53)

One of the great recordings of the century.
In his prime (c.1971-1982), Stevie Wonder produced a body of music that ranks among the most original, innovative and consistent ever created. As a composer, lyricist, drummer, keyboardist, harmonica virtuoso, producer and arranger, Stevie was the very epitome of the independent creative artist, and almost entirely self-sufficient at that. "Innervisions," along with 1972's magnificent "Talking Book," is arguably his finest hour. Nine extraordinary songs, with Stevie's finest set of lyrics to accompany his rich, intricate music and arrangements, display a true musical genius at his most intensely creative. "Innervisions" has been universally acclaimed as a landmark recording since it was released and it is easy to see why: there is nothing here short of excellent, and most of it is among Stevie's very best. And not only is the material virtually peerless, but Stevie's production was also unique--in addition to playing almost every instrument on the album, he was busy using synthesizers in ways no one else had ever imagined they could be used. If you buy only one Stevie Wonder record, let this be it.

Arguably Stevie's Best
A friend first got me into Stevie, and now I own what you might term the five essential albums - Music of my Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, Fulfillingness, and Songs in the Key of Life. After that, let's be honest, he turned into a pile of poop, but boy were the 70s a good decade. Each album is a fantastic record, and Innervisions is perhaps the best. Personally I favour SITKOL, as it is more varied and simply bombards you with musical genius on all sides.

Yet Innervisions is the greatest of the albums Stevie produced when he was doing pretty much all the stuff himself. He plays virtually everything on this record - listen to Living For the City, and you'll be amazed that he's playing every instrument. Whereas SITKOL has a proper 'big band' feel, because he brought in lots of other musicians and created a real wall of sound studio feel, Innervisions remains intimate and personal. That's what gives it its charm.

Unquestionably, these are 9 great songs. Plain and simple. Golden Lady is one of my favourites, a gorgeous song. But Too High is a great opener, All Is Fair in Love is a suitably over the top love ballad, Don't You Worry is a brilliant funky number, and Misstra Know It All (spelt like that because he just wanted to, and about his accountant, apparently) is fantastic, especially the growling finale. Stevie is also the master of the outro, and some can last for several minutes. Don't You Worry and Misstra are ones to look out for here is you are a fan of the over indulgent fade out (as I am). But SITKOL really has the monopoly on outros, and if you're a real connosieur, that's the album for you - look out for As and Another Star in particular, though Isn't She Lovely, Black Man and Summer Soft also clock in impressive repeated choruses.

Stevie is an idiosyncratic musician. Listen to the six second pause on Visions, where he says 'everything must have an ending' before coming back with the next line - geddit?! That's what makes him appeal to me. He has more talent in his sunglasses than most popstars have in the combined body mass of them and their hundred-strong entourage. This is a great album, with immaculate instrumentalism, superb lyrics, that fantastic voice which can do seemingly anything, and funky, groovy, melodic tunes. You should buy this, and then move onto other Stevie terrority, according to taste.

Thank You Stevie
"Innervisions" quenches my musical thirst. At thirty years old, it is beyond categorization and is a stellar album on so many levels. It is a marvel of studio production. The music is outstanding and (with the exception of a few instruments) is all played by Stevie. It has so much depth, but is so well put together. I frequently pick up on little nuances I hadn't noticed before. The vocals are unbelievable. Stevie Wonder has a beautiful voice with an amazing range and great control. On "Innervisions" he shows that he knows just how to use it and how not to. It's something that you just don't hear from today's popular singers and that is a shame. What I think makes this album so phenomenal and separates it from so many others is the songwriting. So often great music lacks lyrical substance or vice versa. Such is not the case here. The content is insightful, spiritual, socially relevant and presented in a creative and coherent way. It all comes together in nine songs at around 45 minutes. Of all the great albums I have ever listened to this one is my absolute favorite. I would like to thank Stevie Wonder for giving the world this timeless musical treasure.

Stevie's Best
This is easily Stevie Wonder's best CD. Though his previous "breakout album" Talking Book did have some innovative tunes, to me it was hindered by a few overly sappy love songs. "Key of Life" is a great album, but isn't as concise. There is only one traditional love song on Innervisions ("All is Fair in Love" is a sad reflection on relationships, but certainly not a romantic ballad). Here's a track by track analysis

1) Too High: Jazzy cautionary tale about drug abuse and its consequences, but subtle enough not to be overtly preachy. It captures the feeling of an addict who exists only to "touch the sky" but never gets there. Outstanding drumming by Stevie (yes, he plays the DRUMS too!!).

2) Visions: Utterly stunning in its beauty. The acoustic guitar work is second to none.

3) Living for the City: The "epic" of the CD describes the tribulations of a man raised in poverty in the South only to find more poverty upon his migration to the city. Yeah, the interlude section is a little cheesy, but still effective and with great vocals as always.

4) Golden Lady: I love how this song keeps going up a key in the end, which signifies the yearning of the singer for his lady. What a great love song.

5) Higher Ground: Once again, outstanding drums and a very funky beat. Like most in my generation, I heard the RHCP cover first (which is a decent interpretation), but it didn't take long to me to realize that this is the definitive verision.

6) Jesus Children of America: Stevie boldly confronts religious fundamentalists, junkies, and even the listener, challenging all to "come clean," all while being backed by insistent gospel harmonies.

7) All is Fair in Love: Laced with agony and pain, Stevie teaches us all about the difficulties of a romantic relationship.

8) Don't You Worry Bout a Thing: A great song about being there to support a friend who is going through a transitional period. Very comforting.

9) Mista Know-It-All: Some think this song is a bash on President Nixon; others interpret it as a stern message against arrogant street hustlers who are looking to corrupt inner-city youth. However you interpret it, it is certainly an effective kiss-off and a creative way to end the album (as opposed to ending it with a sappy love song).

People who have only ever heard "Part Time Lover" may have a hard time accepting Stevie Wonder as a genuine artist, but trust me and the other reviewers, this CD is different. You will not regret buying it.

Visions of a Prime Stevie
Stevie Wonder was established as a major talent by 1973, with his previous two albums 'Music Of My Mind' and 'Talking Book' he had abandoned the shackles of Motowns pop-soul hit machine shackles to craft inventive funky and soulful albums in his own unique & distinctive style.

The 3rd album in this vein was 'Innervisions', which has to be one of the mans crowning achievements. 'Livin' For The City' still sounds titanic, an awesome number, as is 'Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing' and the opening 'Too High'. Not only was the mans music incredibly funky but he was now covering issues such as social ills and politics. The closing 'He's Mr Know-It-All' is an enjoyable piano-led groove, and with so many classic cuts on one album this in itself could run like a Best Of record. Theres a nice vibe that runs through this album and the production is real high quality.

This is his 3rd essential in a row, and you have to admire the work of Stevie Wonder what an incredible back catalogue this guy was able to create in the 70s. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Adding pop savvy to their soul-disco mix, Jamiroquai grabbed the attention of MTV and Top 40 radio and won a Grammy with this platinum-selling album, their third. It's a fine record, with warm keyboards, sweet strings, and irrepressible grooves grounding Jay Kay's sublime vocals and fueling the hits ("Virtual Insanity," "Cosmic Girl," the title track). That voice--elastic, jazzy--is the fire of the band, but immaculate guitar sounds, snappy backup vocals, and clever old-school soul samples (Eddie Harris on "Alright," Esther Phillips on "High Times") are the details that create perfection. Balancing the dance-ready, radio-friendly tracks are the ballads "Everyday" and "Spend a Lifetime," the reggae-styled "Drifting Along," and a couple of didjeridoo instrumentals. --Suzanne McElfresh ... Read more

Reviews (105)

Manifest Destiny: Jamiroquai show their true colors
Just when you thought there was a single band in the world not fueled by greed. On "Travelling Without Moving", Jamiroquai take their music to a new level: "Commercial". Meaning you've probably scene the video for "Virtual Insanity" countless times. Forget the sincerety and quality of the previous albums and prepare for cars, women and all the excesses that have preserved the longevity of bands like the Rolling Stones.

This effort encorporates one song from nearly every genre of black music. Disco, Reggae, Jungle to whiny "Boyz II Men" type ballads and a bit of rock-ish influence but very, very little in the way of Funk, Soul or Jazz from which the band won critical acclaim. The almost non-existant range of Jason Kay's songwriting and lyrical structure seems to remain.

Make no mistake, the album does have it's funky moments. "Do you Know Where You're Coming From?", the bonus track on the US lp, is a worthy drum n' bass tune. But if you suffer from insomnia let "Virtual Insanity", "Alright" and "Spend a Lifetime" be your cure. Several issues to which Jay would previously object are executed quite easily. It makes one wonder if Sony was the driving force behind this record.

This is not a fake plastic pop version of the band. In fact, it's a revelation. Jay Kay no longer parades as an eco-friendly man with a mission, but rather as himself. It shows us also the future of Jamiroquai's music as being less interesting as time goes. Thus, "Travelling" is deep in a shallow sort of way.

My Favorite of Jamiroquai's Work!
In my opinion, "Travelling Without Moving" is the best of jazz/funk/pop band, Jamiroquai's, work! Who can forget the infamous video for "Virtual Insanity" and the way you and your friends tried to figure out how they filmed it (even I was surprised by how simple the technique was)?!?

I was very impressed with Jamiroquai's music from the second I heard it. Having been a fan of similar music from the Brand New Heavies, Jamiroquai was a pleasant and welcomed surprise. It's unfortunate that it took three albums (along with a quirky video and lead singer) for the United States to take notice of this incredible band. Jay Kay's vocal abilities are wonderful. His voice can go from fun to loving to sensual very smoothly and effortlessly.

Needless to say, I quite enjoy this album!!!

Stand-out tracks:
Virtual Insanity
Cosmic Girl
Everyday
Alright
You Are My Love

If you want to hear some seriously good music and have a lot of fun while doing it, buy this CD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The turning point
For us Jamiroquai fans who love the instrumental and creative side to the band, Travelling Without Moving is the album that begins a total descent into 'jazz-pop', that Jamiroquai, by the two latest albums have turned into. The album does deserve 3 stars due to its' obvious merits in terms of accessability. Virtual Insanity is the best song on the album, and one expects the album to develop depth and innovation wise, but it simply never occurs. One of the main reasons seems to be in the bands increased use of strings and guitars, rather than a greater range of horns and synths, which makes Jamiroquai's music less challenging and gives it an easy cuddly feel.
Overall the album is a collection of catchy songs, but with little experimentation, sadly unlike Space Cowboy and Emergency.

the best imitation of someone else's album
Ok, so Jamiroquai has a strong similarity to mid-seventies Stevie Wonder. I dont see anything wrong with that, Stevie Wonder has influenced many bands. I wont say Jamiroquai is very original like some reviewers say, but they are good at what they're doing. It was refreshing to have some uplifting sounds emerge out of mid-nineties Britain due to an array of good but dark and melancholic music like Tricky, Portishead, etc.

One could say that Jamiroquai's lead vocalist not only imitates Stevie Wonder's voice but his lyrical character, this is true. But hey, if you're going to imitate someone, Stevie is a great choice. Differences from Jamiroquai and Stevie is that the music more dance orientated, otherwise it would sound like a perfect follow up to Songs in the Key of Life (except that Jay Kay's voice is no match for Stevie's).

I admit, imitations are not good, but Jamiroquai has altered enough for me to excuse it and to realize it's just good music.

The poor man's Stevie Wonder!
Forget this guy and get the real Stevie Wonder. ... Read more