Bell Biv Devoe - Greatest Hits

Amazon.com
BBD stands for Bell Biv DeVoe, named after the three New Edition members (Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe) who made up this 80's new jack swing outfit. It also makes sense that the letters stand for Bewildered, Baffled, and Dumbfounded, which is what one will be after listening to this collection of tunes. After all, does a halfway-decent, spin-off band (best remembered for the phrase "Smack it up, flip it, rub it down") really merit a greatest hits collection? And only seven years after Hootie Mack--their last, largely unnoticed album--came out? Probably not. But there's a certain pleasure in hearing cuts poised pleasantly between cheese and nostalgia, such as the group's biggest hits "Poison" and "Do Me!", as well as lesser-known, giggle-inducing tracks such as "She's Dope! (a.k.a. Dope!)" and "Ghetto Booty." However, given that the Guy reunion album disappeared from the scene only moments after it dropped, it's probably safe to say that new jack swing isn't quite ready to make a comeback anytime soon. --Sylvia W. Chan

Tracks:

Poison
Do Me!
B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)
When Will I See You Smile Again?
She's Dope! (aka Dope!)
Gangsta
Above The Rim
Something In Your Eyes
Show Me The Way
Nickel
Hootie Mack
Ghetto Booty
Word To the Mutha!
Ain't Nut'in' Changed (Remix)
Poison (Remix)
Do Me (Remix)

Amazon.com

BBD stands for Bell Biv DeVoe, named after the three New Edition members (Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe) who made up this 80's new jack swing outfit. It also makes sense that the letters stand for Bewildered, Baffled, and Dumbfounded, which is what one will be after listening to this collection of tunes. After all, does a halfway-decent, spin-off band (best remembered for the phrase "Smack it up, flip it, rub it down") really merit a greatest hits collection? And only seven years after Hootie Mack--their last, largely unnoticed album--came out? Probably not. But there's a certain pleasure in hearing cuts poised pleasantly between cheese and nostalgia, such as the group's biggest hits "Poison" and "Do Me!", as well as lesser-known, giggle-inducing tracks such as "She's Dope! (a.k.a. Dope!)" and "Ghetto Booty." However, given that the Guy reunion album disappeared from the scene only moments after it dropped, it's probably safe to say that new jack swing isn't quite ready to make a comeback anytime soon. --Sylvia W. Chan

Customer Reviews:

Great CD.......2007-01-19

I was about to graduate from high school when BBD came on the scene. They were great! The beginning of the CD contains the tracks that most people have heard of and love. The latter part is on their lesser known songs. When I listen to this CD I find myself only listening to the beginning. This brings back so many memories!

Why?.......2002-01-03

Quiet as it's kept, Poison was a horrible album. The remixes are what saved Poison. Sure, it sold 3 million records - but all you ever heard on the radio were the remixes. The remix album was the one to have. Sadly, I actually paid money for "Above the Rim" or whatever the second CD was called. I want an apology and a refund for that. This smells like the work of Mike Bivens. Can you say "MC Brains"? Oochie-Coochie, La la la, oochie coochie. Keep your money. Spend it when MCA comes out with the next NE compilation called 'All the other songs that we didn't put out, that you probably already own". Or better yet, just listen to the BBD CD's you already own. It's not worth it just to get "Gangsta".

One reason to buy this CD.......2001-04-26

As someone who has both BBD's fine first album and bad second album, I was stunned to see they have put out a greatest hits set. There is one good reason for the album's existence, though: the inclusion of the excellent "Gangsta," which was originally meant for their second album ("Hootie Mack") but inexplicably left off (I'm sorry to say I didn't realize that till I put the CD on. Of course, for those who don't have the first CD, the greatest hits package is a worthy buy -- you can raise my rating to 4 stars. For those who do have the first CD, download "Gangsta" off Napsta and reduce my rating on this to 2 stars.

Jerraine's Review.......2001-03-18

This album should have never came out. It was too early. BBD still have a lot of hit potential. unlike the other members of new edition BBD are still talked about among music lovers. We need to hear more lines like "That girl is poison". I can't wait for the new album to come out.

Another Waste By MCA!!!.......2001-03-06

Here we go again!! Another 'New Edition-Related' Compilation, and this one makes me laugh!! Ha-Haaaa!! Bell Biv Devoe had 90% of thier hits on their 'Poison' CD, which was over 10 years ago during the New Jack period, and their 'Hootie Mack' CD can be found for less than $5.00 in most bargain bins!! This CD follows the 'Bobby Brown Greatest Hits', 'New Edition:Number Ones', 'New Edition:Love Songs', 'New Edition:The Solo Hits', 'New Edition:Greatest Hits-VOL.1', and the 'Johnny Gill:Favorites' CDs.New Edition (It's spin off groups & solo as a whole!!) MUST be through!! Now all we need is 'The BEST OF Ralph Tresvant' on CD!!!!! Oh no, I just gave MCA another idea!! At any rate, YOU DON'T NEED THIS CD!!! It is just another attempt by MCA to get your money for washed up acts!! You can make BETTER N.E. compilations with a CD recorder than this crap!!

Album Review:

Album Review

album review

Album Review

Pocketrock [Import]

Three Viennese Guitar Sonatas

The Prime Meridian

Music: In Pains

Wayne Kramer Presents Beyond Cyberpunk [Import]

Vincebus Eruptum/Outsideinside

Widows

Unforgettable Classics: Orchestral Spectacular

Tribute to a Legend

Tiempo Y Espacio [Import]

This Isn't It [CD-single]

Voiceland

Wave, Vol. 3 [CD-single] [Import]

Flight of the Bumblebee and Other Russian Classics

Palmless Prayer/Mass Murder Refrain