Essential R&B Love [Import]

Product Description
UK urban two disc compilation scheduled to include tracks from Usher, Kelis, 411, TLC, Shabba Ranks, Outkast, Beyonce, The Fujees, Justin Timerlake, Angie Stone, & more. BMG. 2004.

Essential R&B Love,Various Artists,Bmg,R&B/Soul,Soul/R & B Collections

---

Average customer rating: Mostly the essential, at least A fine introduction to a great band. You may still need this even if you bought "the collection" Looks like you need this collection after all!!! Boom-laka-laka-laka! Boom-laka-laka-laka!

Essential Sly & Family Stone Sly & Family Stone Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of War The Essential Isley Brothers Essential Earth Wind & Fire Kinks (The Ultimate Collection) James Brown - 20 All-Time Greatest Hits! ASIN: B00006NSH7 Release Date: 2003-03-11

Tracks:

1. Underdog
2. I Cannot Make It
3. Dance To The Music
4. Are You Ready?
5. Fun
6. M'Lady
7. Life
8. Love City
9. Stand!
10. Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey
11. I Want To Take You Higher
12. Somebody's Watching You
13. Sing A Simple Song
14. Everyday People
15. You Can Make It If You Try
16. Hot Fun In The Summertime
17. Everybody Is A Star
18. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)

Tracks:

1. Family Affair
2. Luv N' Haight
3. Poet
4. (You Caught Me) Smilin'
5. Runnin' Away
6. Brave & Strong
7. Just Like A Baby
8. Thank You For Talkin' To Me, Africa
9. In Time
10. If You Want Me To Stay
11. Frisky
12. Skin I'm In
13. Babies Makin' Babies
14. If It Were Left Up To Me
15. Time For Livin'
16. Loose Booty
17. I Get High On You

Amazon.com

Long before Michael Jackson and Prince became superstars by fusing rhythmic soul with rock's sense of scale and ambition, a former Northern California deejay and producer named Sylvester Stewart took the vaunted musical utopianism of the '60s and forged it into the cross-cultural, ass-shaking, genre-bending groove monster that was Sly and the Family Stone. James Brown may have invented funk, but S&TFS masterfully tooled and supercharged it into mass-acceptance. No mere greatest hits collection--though they're all here in digitally remastered glory--this 35-track, double-disc anthology delves deeper into the handful of seminal albums the band produced before its leaders' long, troubling slide into drug abuse and oblivion. Given the chronological development, there's a sense here that Stewart/Stone's problems paralleled the increasingly militant and hard-edged stance his band took on albums like the uncompromising classics There's a Riot Going On and Family Affair. Propelled by Larry Graham's locomotive bass lines and accented by rousing horns, Sly and company swooped from the heights of 1969's hit-laden "Stand" towards a darker and more unsettling decade ahead. Few bands have soared higher--or fallen as far. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Mostly the essential, at least.......2007-07-12

All right, as of today (July 12, 2007), I have listened to SEVEN Sly & the Family Stone albums in the past 24 hours (A Whole New Thing; Dance to the Music; Life; Fresh; Small Talk; Back on the Right Track; Ain't But the One Way) - eight in the past week because I spun There's a Riot Goin' On recently too. What does this have to do with my review? Absolutely nothing. I like Sly and the FAmily Stone, that's all (okay, the last three albums on that list aren't all that good, but the first four are!)
So now, onto the review of the album itself. This is a good roundup, but there are two Sly Stone studio albums that must be heard before you get anything by him. They are (dat duh duh duh dat dat dat daaaah!) High on You and Heard You Missed Me, Now I'm Back. No, wait, those are the only two Sly & the Family Stone albums I've never heard. I'm REALLY talking about Stand! and There's a Riot Goin' On. This album contains most of those, but they feature some songs you NEED to hear that you won't find on essential: the former's Sex Machine jam and the latter's Spaced Cowboy (very funny song!) and Africa Talks to You (The Asphalt Jungle).
So now, what do I think of Essential? I think it's a pretty good Sly overview with a few faults. First off, only one pick from A Whole New Thing? Okay, that's not Sly's best known album by any means, but it is unfairly overlooked. Yes, Underdog was a great selection, but I think a couple more songs are needed, in interest of fairness to that album (What Would I Do, for instance). Similarly, Dynamite! from Life (another unfairly overlooked album) would've been a nice selection, not like the title song, Fun and M'Lady don't belong here or anything. Let's see... Dance to the Music (the group's second album and breakthrough) is pretty uneven, but I Ain't Got No One is a good listen, and it wasn't on this album either. I won't bring up the tracks from Stand! and Riot, because you need both those albums anyway. Fresh is quite well represented - they got all the best songs from that one. Loose Booty and High on You are good late-period Sly. Time for Livin' is not, but it was a pretty substantial hit so it'll probably make it on most other Sly comps no matter what I say.
I think the one disc Greatest Hits is the ideal Sly primer myself, but if you can't find that, Essential has its moments too. You still need Stand! and There's a Riot Goin' On, though, no matter which one you buy. (Fresh, Life and A Whole New Thing are pretty good too, just not as good).

A fine introduction to a great band........2007-05-19

A superb overview of an essential musician who has been somewhat dismissed, "The Essential Sly and the Family Stone" presents a picture of just what this incredibly important band was all about. Formed by songwriter/producer/one-time DJ Sly Stone, the band was in many ways an extension of him and his vision, beginning as a pop/funk/soul outfit and quickly evolving into something altogether different, rewriting all the rules along the way. The early recordings have much more of a band feel, anchored by the incomporable rhythm section of Larry Graham and Gregg Errico. Both would leave the band as Sly Stone's vision seemed to become more exclusive and the band seemed to become a reflection of the darkness that was growing inside of him.

But enough hyperbole-- the music itself, presented in fine remastered sound, includes virtually all their singles for Epic and a number of album tracks, with particular emphasis on "Stand!" (seven cuts), "There's a Riot Goin' On" (eight) and "Fresh" (six). As I've often thought the three of these were far and away superior than everything else the band ever did, I'm alright with this. With the presentation chronological, you can hear the band rising from an older funk sound ("Underdog") to the commercial pop forced by the record label ("Dance to the Music") to eventually into a sunny sort of optimistic funk/soul ("Life"). Had the band stopped when they did find their own sound, they dismissal of them would make sense, but instead Stone's artistry became increasingly more dense, more personal, and more powerful. There are few records out there as direct and potent as "Stand!" and "There's a Riot Goin' On", the former perhaps the summation of the California dream ("Stand!", huge hit "Everyday People"), the latter being a reflection of its failure ("Luv N' Haight", "(You Caught Me) Smilin'"). Along with all this are many songs that have worked their way into collective consciousness-- the aformentioned "Everyday People", "Sing a Simple Song", "Everybody is a Star", "Hot Fun in the Summertime", "If You Want Me To Stay"... when I first started listening to Sly and the Family Stone only recently, I was shocked how much of this material I knew.

For fans, in the wake of the recent batch of remasters, this is somewhat undervalued with the band's first seven albums available in remastered sound. This does however include the two singles that were omitted from that remasters-- "Hot Fun in the Summertime" and double-A side "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)"/"Everybody is a Star". There's also one track from Sly Stone solo record "High On You" ("I Get High on You"), which has not been reissued.

Sly and the Family Stone's place in music history is a bit undervalued, and I think this collection can go some way towards reconciling that. For the uninitiated, this is the place to start. Highly recommended.

You may still need this even if you bought "the collection".......2007-05-14

At first I bought "The anthology" (the single disc 20 track complilation), I wanted more so I bought Stand, There's a riot going on and Stand.

It wasn't until years later they came out with the "Essential Sly and the Family Stone". This is an excellent collection and feels more complete than "the anthology".

However, now the Collection (seven sly albums remastered and with bonus tracks) is out.

You would think that the Collection would have ALL the Sly tracks. BUT IT DOESN'T. Three singles (that were not on any albums and were singles only) are not in the collection, "Thank you" "Hot Fun in the Summertime" and "Everyone is a Star". As far as I know, these three tracks are only on compliations i.e. "Greatest Hits" "The Anthology" and "The Essential Sly and the Family Stone". The Essential is the only one that is remastered. (It usually makes little difference when they "remaster" tracks but the stereo versions of "Thank You" and "Hot Fun" do sound better).

If you need all the Sly tracks, you might need this for those three tracks. If you want a good compilation of some of sly's best tracks, well, this is the better of the three.
CORRECTION: The Sly and the Family Stone Collection seemed to have gone up to about 65 dollars (it was 55 the last time I checked which is about a week ago)

Looks like you need this collection after all!!!.......2007-04-13

Well, I bought this 2CD Essential collection of Sly & Fam when it came out...and I thought, while it was awesome, I'd wait to see if there is a boxset in the future, as 2CDs don't do Sly justice...

Turns out, "The Collection" did come out this week, so I picked it up...it consists of the first 7 Sly CDs in their entirety, in beautiful numbered digipacks with awesome booklets, plus 33 bonus tracks overall, and on the BestBuy version, a 2-track DVD!!! so I was VERY happy...until I saw 3 key singles were missing: "Hot Fun In The Summertime", "Thank You For Lettin Me Be Mice Elf Again" and "Everybody Is A Star" (a cool live clip is on the DVD though)...turns out they weren't originally on ANY album, just released as singles and on that 1970 "Greatest Hits"...many bands like New Order have done this, even Elton John back in the 70s...release singles apart from their albums, as many of their albums are artistic statements, as are their singles, which never fit in the album format anyway.

Because of this, you need this "Essential" set in addition to the box...I wish I had known this back when this was first released...hey, better late than never, right!!!!

It's all good...

Boom-laka-laka-laka! Boom-laka-laka-laka! .......2007-02-08

I liked Sly back in the day when he was churnin' out hits like Krispy Kreme churns out doughnuts. Never purchased any of his vinyl records. I usually thought of the Woodstock performance whenever I saw the name Sly Stone.

Years later (read 2006) I developed a keen interest in Miles Davis and started collecting most of his stuff from 1955 - 1975. Every single CD from 1968 forward mentions the incredible influence that Sly Stone had on the music of Miles when you read the liner notes. I didn't really understand why someone who was a Julliard student, an incredible jazz player and a great band leader would take such an interest in a pop star who had little or no musical education. So, I set out to buy Sly and The Family Stone Greatest Hits. Then I saw this collection and picked it up instead. After listening to this, I do get it. The grooves are just so deep, they're infectious. It's hard not to want to get up and dance around. After a hard day at work, this is just the thing to pop in the car CD player. It's impossible to arrive home in a bad mood no matter how much the morons at work pissed you off that day. Great stuff! You get about 1/2 of Stand, All but one tune from Riot Going On, and most of Fresh. Then you get stuff from the earlier releases and the later stuff as Sly's star was starting to fade. But it's all great stuff!

If I have one criticism it's the overall packaging could have been better. A collection like this deserves a booklet with lots of pictures and more detailed notes. That's a pretty small complaint really. It's all about the music.

Well worth the price of admission. Have fun!

Average customer rating: As you would expect -- Absolute fun Michael Jackson re-discovered! Definately The King Of Pop Excellent Compilation! Let Michael Jackson touch you.

The Essential Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music Motown | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music New Jack | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Dance & DJ | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Essential Daryl Hall & John Oates Design of a Decade 1986/1996 The Immaculate Collection The Very Best of Prince Stevie Wonder - The Definitive Collection ASIN: B0009XNUK0 Release Date: 2005-07-19

Tracks:

1. I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
2. ABC - The Jackson 5
3. The Love You Save - The Jackson 5
4. Got To Be There - The Jackson 5
5. Rockin' Robin - The Jackson 5
6. Ben
7. Enjoy Yourself - The Jacksons
8. Blame It On The Boogie - The Jacksons
9. Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)
10. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
11. Rock With You
12. Off The Wall
13. She's Out Of My Life
14. The Girl Is Mine (with Paul McCartney)
15. Billie Jean
16. Beat It
17. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
18. Human Nature
19. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
20. Thriller

Tracks:

1. Bad
2. I Just Can't Stop Loving You (with Siedah Garrett)
3. Leave Me Alone
4. The Way You Make Me Feel
5. Man In The Mirror
6. Dirty Diana
7. Another Part Of Me
8. Smooth Criminal
9. Black Or White
10. Heal The World
11. Remember The Time
12. In The Closet
13. Who Is It
14. Will You Be There
15. Dangerous
16. You Are Not Alone
17. You Rock My World

Album Description

The 2CD The Essential Michael Jackson takes you on a journey from budding star, to iconic legend and allows you to immerse yourself in the musical and emotional development of each track defining the story of a global superstar.

Michael Jackson needs no introduction, as part of the Jackson 5 he helped make up a remarkable musical family and one of the biggest pop phenomenons of the early 70s. The Jacksons' infectious brand of funky soul and now iconic stage presence reached out globally and made them and Michael international stars.

As the success of the band grew, Michael branched out with his own solo career first launching with "Got to be There" and then "Rockin' Robin". The momentum started to grow with the release of more successful singles and, as the hype surrounding the Jackson 5 slowed down towards the late 70s, Michael continued to develop and grow as an artist. With the release of Off the Wall, an immaculately crafted set of funky disco-pop, smooth soul, and lush, sentimental pop ballads, Michael cemented his place as a global star. The 1980s were a career-defining period with his instantly identifiable voice, eye-popping dance moves, stunning musical versatility, and loads of sheer star power Michael Jackson was unstoppable. The 1982 album Thriller became the biggest selling album of all time and combined his musical genius with an exceptional and ahead of its time music video epic. Bad (1987) was released with enormous public anticipation and spawned another succession of hit singles with "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Man in the Mirror."

Customer Reviews:

As you would expect -- Absolute fun.......2007-03-25

This is a wonderful compilation of "essentials" for the Michael Jackson aficionado--one thing that is really fun about it is that the first disc starts with his earliest work and then proceeds linearly onward. Basically, you get to listen to him grow older and hear how his voice and style change. It's very interesting.

To sum up: you get two wonderful discs with a wonderful compilation of the main hits of Michael Jackson--if you have a favorite song of his chances are it's on one of these discs. If you want a more complete collection you might try the Michael Jackson Ultimate Collection of course, but as I own both I must say that I nonetheless find this a very convenient collection for just grabbing to take along with me.

Great! And God bless dear Michael by the way.

Michael Jackson re-discovered!.......2007-03-24

Even though I'm only 25, I grew up listening to Michael Jackson. I was singing, twirling & grabbing my crotch like him when I was 10 years old. As I got older, my musical tastes shifted and my once beloved MJ cd/casettes started to gather dust.

Flash forward to a few days ago! I came across this CD and I KNEW I had to have it. It had been YEARS since I listened to the Michael Jackson classics and I just knew that this CD would make my day ;) I was growing tired of today's radio hits, but how can anyone get enough of Michael?

I loved hearing the Jackson 5's ABC & I Want You Back. Even though I'm not from that time, I still enjoyed Michael's earlier stuff. I also liked hearing Blame It On The Boogie, Shake Your Body Down To The Ground and Off The Wall. These are all GREAT tap your toe songs! The song, Can You Feel It, is also one of the many gems on this cd. Of course, many hit songs from the albums Thriller & Bad are also included. Many MJ compilations contain the same songs (Beat It, Billie Jean, Thriller, Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel, Man In The Mirror) but it is refreshing to ALSO hear Dirty Diana, Leave Me Alone and Smooth Criminal. We are also treated to hear the lost hits from Michael's Dangerous album, including In The Closet, Who Is It and Dangerous (the album's exiting track). I feel bad, but I usually skip You Are Not Alone & You Rock My World. Those songs are only "Ho Hum" to me.

Overall, this is a wonderful CD. I've been listening to it in my car for 3 straight days. If you don't have any of your old MJ albums anymore, this is the CD to buy to have all the hits again.

Definately The King Of Pop.......2006-07-18

One should never judge the accomplishments made by an artist based solely on what one reads and sees in the news. How many singers can honestly say they have been in the spotlight for 3 decades? Very few can and are around to tell about it. It is unfortunate that many celebrities are tarnished by their lifestyles but at the same time these people have left a mark on world-wide culture. Michael Jackson is one such artist. Beginning in his youth in the 70s, MJ has gone from child performer to adult superstar. Few people over the age of 30 can deny that they have never heard of the greatest selling album of all time in the world : Michael Jackson's "Thriller". No fewer than 9 of the 11 tracks on the album were hits in the early 80s. Although his future albums never reached the awesome success seen by Thriller, no one can deny the genius in many of Jackson's recordings. The Essential Michael Jackson presents just enough of MJ's hits (everything from the J5 to little known songs from the recent past) to satisfy any fan. However, Say Say Say (a duet MJ had with Paul McCartney) is sorely missing. I have never even run across the album the song was originally released on. Although we may never again see a resurgence of Michael Jackson mania, listeners can relive what are fabulous songs by a gifted entertainer.

Excellent Compilation!.......2006-06-28

Greatest Hits albums are always difficult to rate. Realistically, no compilation will ever be able to gather every last "hit" from a particular artist, and "The Essential Michael Jackson" is no exception. And despite its (very few) limitations, "Essential" does an A+ job.

For starters, the amount of material in this package is quite staggering; it extends from the early #1's of the J5 under Motown up to Michael's latest solo work for a total of 38 songs. Ordered chronologically by single release date, "Essential" shows the impressive transformation of a child star into one of the most impressive musical forces in pop-music today. But despite the stylistic evolution and technological adaptions made along the way, the energy and emotion (neither insufficient nor overpowering) remain at the core of each and every song.

The first disc begins with the Jackson 5ive's first three number ones, as well as some of Michael's early solo work. Then, the J5 become The Jacksons, switching labels and becoming disco icons with hits like "Shake Your Body" and "Blame It On The Boogie". Of course, Michael finds the biggest success behind solo albums "Off the Wall" and "Thriller", which dominate the last half of this CD.

By disc number two, Michael is no longer splitting duty with his siblings and is 100% solo. "Bad" and "Dangerous" take up all but two tracks on this disc, which makes sense because those two LPs are both studio albums and greatest hits packages, considering the majority of the songs from those albums turned platinum. Lastly, the biggest hit of "HIStory" and "Invincible" round out the last two tracks.

Naturally, I didn't take the time to write out all of the tracks from "Essential", but just by the few I mentioned you can already grasp at the notion that this collection is pure platinum. If you're a casual Michael Jackson fan, this is a must buy. In a couple hours of listening, you'll understand why this man was the juggernaut he was.

"Essential" isn't perfect, however. If you own one or more of the "Big Four", then you're most likely better off skipping this. As those albums make up 90% of anything with "Michael Jackson" and "Greatest Hits" in the same title, you'd be better to just grab all four of those albums if you haven't done so already. There are a number of "Misses" that you'll be glad you shelled out extra for.

Also, the balance in "Essential" is great. Solo to group, ballad to dance hit, this is a very well constructed compilation. Where it fumbles the ball is in the source material. As said before, Michael's first four Epic solo albums have the lion's share of representation, which means that you now have another CD with "Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Thriller". Meanwhile, the under-appreciated "HIStory" gets only 1 track, as does "Invincible". Granted, they didn't have quite the effect that the "Big Four" had on the music industry, but after doing such a great job of chronicling Michael's discography, the last decade of his career is basically glossed over.

Perhaps an additional disc was needed, which would allot more space not only for more recent songs, but also allow for additional songs in that didn't make the cut. Just a thought.

Regardless of the complaints, however, "Essential" does its job of presenting both 38 great tracks and providing a timeline of the most successful artist to date. And in focusing on the biggest hits, its only reasonable that some great undervalued songs aren't included. It's a shame, but can't diminish the value of this collection. If you're out for the ultimate Michael Jackson hits compilation, this is it.

Happy listening.

Let Michael Jackson touch you........2006-04-22

The man just keeps making magic, and with this album he manages to do it once more. Michael Jackson has always touched me in a special way, in a special place. And I'm pretty sure he's touched many people in the same way. This guy's gonna be big some day- I just know it! His music just keeps climbing the charts. One time I farted in an elevator. First off, I'd like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to let me talk to you about the sixties. You make me feel... very, very special. [take 2 tablets with food for voices in head]. And might I say what a lovely tie you're wearing, Mrs. Crabtree? [...call the police...] For the love of God, just do what they say!!!

Average customer rating: Great classic collection! A very good compilation of Hits! my favorite singer in the whole world Astonishingly Great Gladys and the Pips

Essential Collection Gladys Knight & the Pips Manufacturer: Hip-O Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Classic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music Motown | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Aretha Franklin - 30 Greatest Hits The Ultimate Collection Before Me The Ultimate Collection The Ultimate Collection ASIN: B00001QGS4 Release Date: 1999-09-28

Tracks:

1. Every Beat Of My Heart
2. Letter Full Of Tears
3. Giving Up
4. I Heard It Through the Grapevine
5. If I Were Your Woman
6. Friendship Train
7. I Don't Want To Do Wrong
8. Daddy Could Swear, I Declare
9. Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)
10. Midnight Train To Georgia
11. I've Got To Use My Imagination
12. Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me, The
13. I Feel A Song (In My Heart)
14. On And On
15. The Way We Were / Try To Remember
16. Save the Overtime (For Me)
17. Hero (Wind Beneath My Wings)
18. Love Overboard

Amazon.com

While Gladys Knight and the Pips spent large portions of the '60s, '70s, and '80s on the charts, this smart CD is the first attempt to compile high points of their tenures at various labels (Motown subsidiary Buddah, Columbia, MCA). While Knight proved equally at home with smokin' church-bred R&B (the original "I Heard It Through the Grapevine") and uptown pop (an unfortunate medley of "Try to Remember" and "The Way We Were"), she was most effective on plainspoken tales of everyday people. That's the reason "Grapevine," "Midnight Train to Georgia," "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me," and "Save the Overtime for Me," recorded over a 15-year span, sound so much of a piece. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Great classic collection!.......2007-05-13

What a great collection of the goodies from Ms. Gladys and the Pips! The collection spans years of wonderfully raw sound and solid emotion. I love to play this in the car when stuck in traffic in a bad mood. By the time I get where I'm going I'm mellow and singing along. If I Were Your Woman, Midnight Train to Georgia, Neither One of Us, The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me, and The Way We Were rip my heart out and have brought me to tears a million times. The vocals have a raw "been there, know the pain" edge, and when you hear that voice you know exactly who you are listening to. What a great addition to any cd collection!

A very good compilation of Hits! .......2007-03-06

This CD is a good choice for those who love real good, nice and smooth 70s Soul music. "I've Got To Use My Imagination", "Try To Remember/The Way We Were", "Best Thing Ever Happened To Me", and other great songs are included.

my favorite singer in the whole world.......2007-02-08

wow what can i say i have loved gladys since i was nine years old. i just saw her perform on new year's eve and wow what a powerhouse. the voice is still the same after all these years
i love her this cd is in my rotation right now and i never ever tire of hearing gladys and the fellows blow

this is truly the lady of the century for me
she is MY QUEEN OF SOUL

Astonishingly Great.......2006-03-08

Why has't GK been canonized to the extent some of the other famous R&B divas have? Her amazing, warm & soulful vocal prowess takes a back seat to nobody. This collection, the first I believe, to span all of her career, features an incredible parade of genius, state of the art vocalizing. From indispensable, classic chestnuts like "Heard it throught the Grapevine" and "Friendship Train" to the megaclassic "Midnight Train to Georgia" (I know we've all heard that one to the point where it's almost impossible to appreciate it anew, but listen, really listen, sometime to the eloquent and moving vocal, the impeccably arranged background vox, and the impossibly sweet and touching lyrics. It's a stunning experience), the aural pleasure this record induces never flags. She even tackles a few sappy, maudlin, middle of the road-y ballads, like "Hero" and actually acquits herself admirably. If she can rise above dorky material of that ilk, then she must indeed be some kind of dang genius.

Give it up for Gladys!

Gladys and the Pips.......2006-03-02

I've been listening to Ms. Knight and the Pips for many years, since the early 70's and she and they continue to amaze me with their beautiful voices. This CD is no exception. They are truly wonderful people who have Blessed us with their music and lyrics that positively impact the lives of all who will give them an ear. Glad I bought this CD. I think you will be glad too.

Average customer rating: The Truth Earth Wind fan Fire Best Earth,Wind & Fire Compilation Set Yet Audiophiles beware EWF - This CD is a great buy for all of the songs you get

Essential Earth Wind & Fire Earth Wind & Fire Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Essential Isley Brothers Essential Sly & Family Stone The Very Best of War Kool and the Gang - Gold The Very Best of Kool & the Gang ASIN: B000069RJI Release Date: 2002-07-30

Tracks:

1. Mighty Mighty
2. Evil
3. Devotion
4. Keep Your Head To The Sky
5. Kalimba Story
6. Shining Star
7. That's The Way Of The World
8. Yearnin' Learnin'
9. All About Love
10. Reasons
11. Sing A Song
12. Can't Hide Love
13. Getaway
14. Saturday Nite
15. Ponta de Areia/Be Ever Wonderful
16. Open Our Eyes
17. Got To Get You Into My Life

Tracks:

1. September
2. Serpentine Fire
3. Fantasy
4. I'll Write A Song For You
5. Drum Song
6. In The Stone
7. Can't Let Go
8. After The Love Has Gone
9. Wait
10. You And I
11. Let Me Talk
12. And Love Goes On
13. You
14. Let's Groove
15. Fall In Love With Me
16. Side By Side
17. Boogie Wonderland (With The Emotions)

Amazon.com

While their name conveniently conjures slabs of fashionable late-'70s New Agey mysticism and eco-consciousness, EWF founder Maurice White couldn't have picked a more metaphorically perfect moniker for his mighty, genre-expanding soul ensemble. The 34 tracks on this double-disc anthology underscore White's downright utopian vision, which shrewdly stewed the emotionally compelling lead vocals and sweet harmonies of Motown with the earthy funk of Sly and the Family Stone and some slick contemporary jazz, then seasoned it with tasty dollops of Tower of Power horns and Maurice's (and brother Verdine's) curiosity in Afro-Cuban rhythms. Small wonder they became arena superstars. There is something to please nearly everyone in the EWF oeuvre: from upbeat, infectious groove-staples like "Shining Star," Mighty Mighty," and "September" through the transglobal "Kalimba Story" and "Ponta de Areia" to the gospelized "Open Your Eyes," their pop-savvy cover of Lennon-McCartney's "Got to Get You into My Life," and the dancefloor-ready collaboration with the Emotions, "Boogie Wonderland." Essential features new liner notes with commentary by Maurice White. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

The Truth.......2007-05-26

This is by far the best collection of songs that I've ever come across... This is THE BEST collection ever.

Earth Wind fan Fire.......2007-04-13

I love this group and welcome them to my collection of memories.

Best Earth,Wind & Fire Compilation Set Yet.......2007-02-28

This Double CD set is the best E.,W. & F. compilation yet. The songs were compiled by Maurice White himself and that's what makes it so wonderful. He included the song "You". That is my favorite one of all and I'm glad Maurice saw fit to include that top notch song on the CD compilation set. There is one song I wished were included "Love's Holiday". But you can't fit them all on 2 CDs. However, You can always buy the flawless "All N All" CD in addition to this CD (if you don't already have it). You won't regret spending the money on both of these CDs if you're a fan of Earth, Wind and Fire (I assure you).

Audiophiles beware .......2006-01-11

5 stars for the collection of songs and disc 2 is absolutely superb.However as an audiophile iam appalled at the sound quality of especially disc 1..no wonder Sony is loosing money these days..This is NOT 24 bit remastering this is NOT DSD mastering that Sony is famous for..instead this is cheap outdated 20 bit SBM(super bit mapping) of the early 90's.I WILL STILL RECOMMEND THIS COLLECTION,BUT DON'T PAY FULL PRICE.

EWF - This CD is a great buy for all of the songs you get.......2005-10-07

What I really loved about this CD is the 34 songs. Prior to purchasing this CD, there were many songs that EWF performed that I never knew were EWF just from listening to the radio.

With that said, there were many "Oh, they sang that song too?" moments, which was a real treat and made this CD a lot of fun to listen to in its entirity. It's great for long trips in the car or just puttering around the house.

Shortly after I purchased this CD, I got invited to a concert which featured, Chicago and EWF. I must say that EWF stole the show! Phillip Bailey's voice is CRAZY! I was knocked out of my chair with the notes he was hitting in a live concert setting. Many artists record songs in the highest key possible and then bring the key down for live performances to preserve their voices. There was none of this hapenning with EWF, I can assure.

So, in short, 2 things:
1. Buy this CD and give it a listen-through. It's a great way to get all of EWF's hits for a great price
2. If you get the chance to see EWF live in concert, GO! You wil not be disappointed.

Average customer rating: The first family of R&B funk. Solid collection! athe essential isley borthers Some more alums of Hughes High Old School Isley's The Essential Isley Brothers

The Essential Isley Brothers The Isley Brothers Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music Quiet Storm | R&B | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Essential Earth Wind & Fire Essential Sly & Family Stone Kool and the Gang - Gold 50th Anniversary Anthology The Very Best of War ASIN: B0002JP1W6 Release Date: 2004-08-03

Tracks:

1. Twist And Shout
2. That Lady (Parts 1 & 2)
3. What It Comes Down To
4. Brown Eyed Girl
5. For The Love Of You (Parts 1 & 2)
6. Groove With You
7. Brother, Brother
8. Work To Do
9. Harvest For The World
10. Summer Breeze
11. Make Me Say It Again Girl (Parts 1 & 2)
12. Live It Up (Parts 1 & 2)
13. Fight The Power (Parts 1 & 2)
14. Freedom
15. Keep On Doin'
16. This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)
17. Move Over And Let Me Dance
18. Shout (Parts 1 & 2)

Tracks:

1. It's Your Thing
2. I Turned You On
3. Lay Away
4. Love The One You're With
5. Pop That Thang
6. Spill The Wine
7. Take Me To The Next Phase (Parts 1 & 2)
8. I Wanna Be With You (Parts 1 & 2)
9. The Pride (Parts 1 & 2)
10. Footsteps In The Dark (Parts 1 & 2)
11. Voyage To Atlantis
12. Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love)(Parts 1 & 2)
13. Between The Sheets
14. Caravan Of Love
15. Mission To Please You
16. Down Low (Nobody Has To Know) - R. Kelly

Customer Reviews:

The first family of R&B funk. Solid collection!.......2007-07-30

This is one super collection of hits by an legendary group. The Isley Brothers left us with timeless and tasteful grooves that will stand the test of time. I recommend anyone who is a fan of this extrodinary group to go out and get this compilation. It is a must have! I pretty much own all of their material myself and i still have the greatest hits collection.

athe essential isley borthers.......2007-06-20

i could not hear the music on your website even though i downloaded the windows software for apple os x. i will look for a site that accepts apple osx without dealing with microsoft.

Some more alums of Hughes High.......2007-05-11

Before the Isley family moved to New Jersey, they lived in Cincinnati, Ohio and some of the Isley children attended the historical Hughes High School. This CD is fantastically remastered and has some great, classic Isley hits. GO BIG RED!

Old School Isley's.......2007-01-19

This CD takes me back to bell-bottoms (the first time they were in style), platform shoes and disco-roller skating! This R & B soul group is still the best! The songwriting and instrumentation is wonderful and I highly recommend this CD. It will take you back in time.

The Essential Isley Brothers.......2007-01-07

I gave this a 5 star ranking should have been a 10. This is the CD of all times for a Isley Brothers fan. Every love song you want is here along with all the funk you want. Take my word if you love The Isley Brothers this is for you.

Average customer rating: Classy soul Breathing Again

The Essential Toni Braxton Toni Braxton Manufacturer: La Face ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Dance & DJ | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Superwoman: The Best of Karyn White The Essential Gloria Estefan Tamia: Between Friends In My Songs Collaborations ASIN: B000MKXF8C Release Date: 2007-02-20

Tracks:

1. Love Shoulda Brought You Home
2. I Love Me Some Him
3. Tell Me
4. You're Makin' Me High
5. He Wasn't Man Enough (Album Version)
6. Just Be A Man About It
7. How Many Ways (R. Kelly Remix)
8. Breathe Again
9. You Mean The World To Me
10. I Belong To You
11. How Could An Angel Break My Heart Kenny G with Toni Braxton
12. Un-Break My Heart (Album Version)
13. Another Sad Love Song (Album Version)
14. Seven Whole Days
15. I Don't Want To (Album Version)
16. Give U My Heart (Album Radio Edit)

Tracks:

1. The Heat
2. Gimme Some
3. There's No Me Without You
4. Why Should I Care
5. Spanish Guitar (Royal Garden Flamenco Mix)
6. I'm Still Breathing
7. Me & My Boyfriend
8. Give It Back Featuring The Big Tymers
9. The Time Of Our Lives (The Official Song Of The 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany) (Radio Edit) Featuring Il Divo
10. He Wasn't Man Enough (Junior Vasquez Marathon Mix)
11. Un-Break My Heart (Frankie Knuckles' Franktidrama Club Mix Edit)
12. Hit The Freeway (Album Version) Featuring Loon
13. Come On Over Here
14. Let It Flow
15. The Little Things (Previously Unreleased) r
16. Good Life (A capella Single Mix)

Customer Reviews:

Classy soul.......2007-07-16

Babyface, you should be ashamed for what you did to this girl! So classy, and what did you get out of it?! You lost her and ended up with Kenny G. Nice going. Oh yeah, you did end up running a huge record company, but still...

Breathing Again.......2007-02-20

When it comes to R&B music in the industry right now, it seems to really be more about acts that are trying to really be more pop-oriented, rather than the real feeling of traditional R&B. That is sad, considering acts like Ashnati, Ciara and Beyonce', really miss out on the simple Soul style that has been constantly overlooked. That also within the past few years also could be said about Toni Braxton. Although she has made incredible music for nearly 15 years now, her era has been overshadowed with financial burdens from bankruptcy, and a recent fallout with her ex-manager Barry Hankerson. Yet, it is just too easy to forget how simple and beautiful her voice have remained, and why her silky-smooth style hasn't lost its luster. Yet, these past few years, there have been several hits records released reflecting her music, and now another one just doesn't want to break hearts.

The 2007 Essential Toni Braxton, is a double-album reflecting her highs and lows, and why her voice has remained relevant in R&B after all this time. This is a compilation that does a very good job reflecting her era from LaFace and Arista throughout the 90's and early 2000's. There are a lot of great tracks here that are highlighted including the #1 smash Un-Break My Heart, Breathe Again, the seductive You're Makin' Me High, the soulful and elquent How Could An Angel Break My Heart, and He Wasn't Man Enough. The compilation also includes a couple of new tracks as well like Good Life, a track that Toni original released as a demo with her sisters, The Braxtons back in 1990, as well as The Time Of Our Lives, a song she recorded for the 2006 World Cup. Yet, although there are numerous highlights here, there are a couple of disadvantages here on this hits compilation. The first disadvantage is that there are several tracks here that were remixed instead of their original versions like How Many Ways, and the seductive Diane Warren penned Spanish Guitar. The other surprise is that the album also overlooks a few good tracks like her last hit Please from her 2005 record Libra.

All in all, The Essential Toni Braxton still remains as a solid hits package that will bring out not just die hard fans, but also newcomers how haven't yet heard her beautiful songs. Even though a lot of people aren't as interested in her, I still find her voice lovely, and I think this hits package does go a long way, and it is why love has brought her home.

Album Cover: B+

Songs: B

Price: B+

Remastering: A-

Overall: B 1/2+

Average customer rating: Great CD! BUY IT! The one Luther cd to have. The Essential Luther Vandross Amen to that!

The Essential Luther Vandross Luther Vandross Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Quiet Storm | R&B | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Live at Radio City Music Hall 2003 The Best of Luther Vandross Dance With My Father Luther Vandross: Greatest Hits The Ultimate Luther Vandross ASIN: B00009P1LW Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

1. Any Love
2. So Amazing
3. Wait For Love
4. For You To Love
5. I (Who Have Nothing)- Duet With Martha Wash
6. Anyone Who Had A Heart
7. A House Is Not A Home
8. Never Too Much
9. Since I Lost My Baby
10. Stop To Love
11. It's Over Now
12. Your Secret Love
13. Superstar
14. Here And Now

Tracks:

1. Knocks Me Off My Feet
2. Goin' Out Of My Head
3. If Only For One Night
4. Creepin'
5. She's So Good to Me
6. Give Me The Reason
7. She Loves Me Back
8. The Night I Fell In Love
9. If This World Were Mine Single Version Cheryl Lynn (Featuring Luther
10. Vandross)
11. Don't Want To Be A Fool
12. There's Nothing Better Than Love- with Gregory Hines
13. How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye- Duet With Dionne Warwick
14. Love The One You're With
15. Endless Love- Duet With Mariah Carey
16. I Want The Night To Stay

Customer Reviews:

Great CD!.......2007-01-22

I purchased this CD as a gift and they loved it!! CD arrived on time and in great condition!

BUY IT!.......2006-11-03

It's Luther what more of a recommendation do you want. BUY IT if u r in love or want to be.

The one Luther cd to have........2006-10-23

This is the one to get, to hear all of Luther's hits, as well as some other gems that were not as popular, but just as terrific. Luther is in fine form on each song & his duets, with such people as Dionne Warwick, Mariah Carey, Gregory Hines & Cheryl Lynn are some of the best songs on here. Get this one today, you will be thrilled that you did.

The Essential Luther Vandross.......2006-08-08

Great CD. Heard a few tracks while in my sister-in-law's car and decided that I just had to have it. Was not disappointed when I heard the whole CD. My sister just picked up her copy recently.

Amen to that!.......2006-06-18

I'd have to agree wholeheartedly with the review submitted by Distant Voyaguer. Unfortunately, Luther Vandross has passed on since, but what's the purpose of having all these various compilations of his music, and TWO 2-disc versions of his music. Everyone who isn't totally deaf knows that Luther Vandross' singing was phenomenal, spectacular, amazing, but come on! Even the most timeless songs can get tiring if they appear on 50 different albums. There is some variation between what songs you can get from either 2-disc compilation, but think for a second. Both have:
1. So Amazing
2. Any Love
3. There's Nothing Better Than Love
4. Here and Now
5. Give Me The Reason
6. So Amazing
7. If This World Were Mine
8. Never Too Much
9. A House Is Not a Home
10. Since I Lost My Baby
11. If Only for One Night

There are probably more, but those eleven are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. You really couldn't go wrong with either collection, but having both would be incredibly redundant. 'She's So Good To Me', which I hadn't heard in 18 years until this album was released, has a lot do to with my preference for this one. There are also songs from the Power Of Love album, not yet released when the first 2-disc set was released, as well as 'For You To Love', and 'Wait for Love' that tipped the scales in this album's favor. Either album is great, but I wouldn't recommend getting both unless you're an absolute Luther Vandross completionist.

Average customer rating: The Essential O'Jays Sunshine A nice budget-priced CD which has most of The O'Jays' big 1970s hits. A COMPREHENSIVE O'JAYS ANTHOLOGY IS NEEDED..... 'She used to be my girl' gets my vote for worst song of all time!

The Essential O'Jays The O'Jays Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Disco | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Philly Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of the Spinners The Essential Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes La La Means I Love You: The Definitive Collection 50th Anniversary Anthology The Best of the Stylistics ASIN: B0007GP6AQ Release Date: 2005-02-08

Tracks:

1. Back Stabbers
2. 992 Arguments
3. Love Train
4. Time To Get Down
5. Put Your Hands Together
6. For The Love Of Money
7. Sunshine
8. Give The People What They Want
9. Survival
10. I Love Music
11. Livin' For The Weekend
12. Stairway To Heaven
13. Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)
14. Use Ta Be My Girl
15. The Big Gangster
16. Message In Our Music

Customer Reviews:

The Essential O'Jays.......2007-06-27

great track selections although the one track that I love was on a
different CD.

Sunshine.......2007-05-09

What can one say about the mighty O'jays? They are one of the R&B greats of all time. "Sunshine" is one the most heartfelt love songs I have ever heard. Although tracks like Forever Mine are not on this one, you do get "Used to be my girl" which is hard to find on there other "best of" album.

A nice budget-priced CD which has most of The O'Jays' big 1970s hits........2007-04-11

During the 1970s The O'Jays were the most important male R&B vocal group and their recordings from 1972-79 remain both timeless and among the very best that Philadelphia International Records ever released. "Back Stabbers", "Sunshine", "992 Arguments", "Love Train", "Use Ta Be My Girl", "I Love Music" and the obscure single "The Big Gangster" were all '70s R&B anthems and this CD has them all...at a budget price. Not an essential or truly definitive collection of The O'Jays' classic tracks but a good starting point for the uninitiated or those looking for just the hit singles.

A COMPREHENSIVE O'JAYS ANTHOLOGY IS NEEDED............2007-04-04

Unfortunately, no single multi- label-career- spanning anthology of the legendary O'JAYS exists, covering the best of their LIBERTY, MINIT,IMPERIAL,BELL,SARU,EMI & PHILLY INTERNATIONAL HITS ..... BUT, fortunately you can come CLOSE ...by collecting their career IN PIECES. If you check elsewhere on this site ,two foreign CD releases...."WORKING ON YOUR CASE" and "THE ULTIMATE O'JAYS COLLECTION" capture the best of their 1963 thru 1966 years on the LIBERTY /MINIT & IMPERIAL labels..including their first national and regional hits...(all of which featured all 5 original members, including BILL ISLES... such as "LONELY DRIFTER", "STAND IN FOR LOVE "," LIPSTICK TRACES" "WORKING ON YOUR CASE" AND "LET IT ALL OUT" (although the excellent early hit "IT WONT HURT" is conspicuously missing except a "live" version ,(but is available on 45 on certain oldies websites ... WHILE "THE O'JAYS : I'LL BE SWEETER TOMORROW" CD captures the best of their BELL RECORDS sides from the years 1967- 1969...featuring hits like "THE CHOICE" "I MISS YOU" ,"I'LL BE SWEETER TOMORROW" AND "LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER" (the latter two of which were both later covered by THE ESCORTS), and "the O'JAYS IN PHILADELPHIA"... the stunning GAMBLE - HUFF pre " BACK STABBERS" ALBUM WITH THE HITS "ONE NIGHT AFFAIR", " DEEPER IN LOVE WITH YOU, LOOKY LOOKY (LOOK AT ME GIRL ) AND " BRANDED BAD" has the best of their early GAMBLE HUFF WORK (this album ,originally released in 1969 on GAMBLE & HUFF'S defunct NEPTUNE label while original O'JAYS member BOBBY MASSEY was still in the group , had his face on the lp album cover but not on the later PHILLY INTERNATIONAL album & CD re-release. I recommend all 4 of these CDS... they are ESSENTIAL to get the best possible overview of this legendary group's early career.Next come the PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL HIT YEARS... these albums were all SO GOOD,that a general "GREATEST HITS" CD will not include ALL the great songs... ALL of these albums are available on CD...and ALL of them went either GOLD OR PLATINIUM...and many of the NON SINGLE ALBUM CUTS became hits on the radio as well...so you'd be cheating yourself by not collecting them ALL. 1)the BACK STABBERS cd.. 2) SHIP AHOY...3) THE O'JAYS LIVE IN LONDON...4)FAMILY REUNION 5)SURVIVAL...6)SO FULL OF LOVE (available alone or in a "two-fer" with the "IDENTIFY YOURSELF" CD and 7)MESSAGE IN OUR MUSIC.From this point ,to keep from going broke , go to several import "2-fer collections of their later PHILLY INTERNATIONAL WORK , SUCH AS the YEAR 2000 /MY FAVORITE PERSON COLLECTION , and the LOVE FEVER/LET ME TOUCH YOU CD if you want the original albums , or the " BEST OF THE O'JAYS -1978-1991" OR THE RIGHT STUFF/ PHILLY INTL " THE O'JAYS ANTHOLOGY" DOUBLE CD if you dont.Until someone releases a comprehensive , ALL- INCLUSIVE O'JAYS box set ( The record companies really dropped the ball on this one ,they should have released one years ago when the group was inducted into the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME ) this is the BEST way to cover the long , storied early career of the O'JAYS.

'She used to be my girl' gets my vote for worst song of all time!.......2007-03-11

I consider myself a music expert or something close to it. I own close to 10,000 albums. I say this because I hope that you will listen to some very good advice. Do not buy this album. Do not borrow it from the library. If you see it in the record store, look away as fast as you can. 'She used to be my girl' is the WORST song I have ever heard. That is taking into consideration all of the generic bubblegum pop, 80's hair metal, disco, and rock blands that I have had the misfortune to hear. To describe it as infinitely dreadful would be giving it too much credit. 'The O'Jays' should be ashamed and embarrassed that they are responsible for this miserable catastrophe of a 'song.' Absolutely horrible! Hearing this song is like being forced to eat cow dung while suspended by your toe nails above a steaming pit of molten lead. Please, do not buy this album! (Rating: No stars whatsoever!)

Average customer rating: Etta's best collection Ken Holman needs to know his stuff before writing a review Oh, my, Miss Peaches... MAXIMUM ETTA; You Keep "Telling Me, Mama!!"! Etta James makes every song a gem.

The Essential Etta James Etta James Manufacturer: Chess ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Classic Female Vocal Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Blues | Styles | Music Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Similar Items: Time After Time Blues to the Bone Love Songs At Last! Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday ASIN: B000002OBX Release Date: 1993-06-08

Tracks:

1. All I Could Do Is Cry
2. My Dearest Darling
3. If I Can't Have You
4. A Sunday Kind Of Love
5. Anything To Say You're Mine
6. At Last
7. Seven Day Fool
8. Trust In Me
9. Don't Cry Baby
10. Fool That I Am
11. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)
12. Waiting For Charlie (To Come Home)
13. Something's Got A Hold On Me
14. Next Door To The Blues
15. These Foolish Things
16. Stop The Wedding
17. Prisoner Of Love
18. Pushover
19. Would It Make Any Difference To You
20. Pay Back
21. Two Sides To Every Story
22. Baby What You Want Me To Do (Live)

Tracks:

1. In The Basement, Part 1
2. Loving You More Every Day
3. Do I Make Myself Clear
4. I Prefer You
5. It Must Be Your Love
6. 842-3089 (Call My Name)
7. I'd Rather Go Blind
8. Tell Mama
9. Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
10. Security
11. Almost Persuaded
12. You Got It
13. Miss Pitiful
14. Losers Weepers, Part 1
15. W.O.M.A.N.
16. I Never Meant To Love Him
17. You Can Leave Your Hat On
18. God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)
19. All The Way Down
20. Lovin' Arms
21. Feelin' Uneasy
22. Let's Burn Down The Cornfield

Amazon.com

Etta James is the dues-paying blues mama. Throughout her tragic and storied career, Miss Peaches has successfully delivered her growling soul and soaring vocals to everything from Chicago blues to pop. Her voice is one of the most distinctive in the entire blues canon and The Essential Etta James captures it in its prime; 44 tracks cover her best Chess Records work from 1960 to the early '70s. And though her early R&B hits for Modern like "Roll with Me Henry" are not here, just about everything else is: the supreme balladry of "All I Could Do Was Cry" and "At Last," the sassy bump of "Seven-Day Fool" and "Pushover," the raucous soul of "In the Basement," and even bell-bottomed funk of "All the Way Down." But the finest evidence of James's versatility can be heard in her outstanding Memphis soul covers of "Tell Mama" and "Security." There's a lot of Etta James out there, but this is likely the best compilation of her work you're going to find. --Ken Hohman

Customer Reviews:

Etta's best collection.......2005-10-10

If you have not heard Etta James, you are missing the most soulful, funky, get on down and crank it out blues singer to ever grace the face of this earth. To me, this is her finest collection. Don't let your friends borrow it, if you ever want to see it again. It's that good, trust in me... ;)

Ken Holman needs to know his stuff before writing a review.......2004-01-27

Ken while I agree with almost everything you say, I have to inform you of an error. The outstanding soul tune "Tell Mama" IS NOT the "Memphis Sound." It is in fact part of the immortal legacy of Rick Hall's FAME Studios in the Southern Soul Mecca of MUSCLE SHOALS, ALABAMA. Trust me check out the orginal liner notes. Or just check out the FAME Studios Website.

Oh, my, Miss Peaches..........2002-07-02

This is an excellent cross-section of Miss James' vocal ability. It's all here - smoke-filled standards, rockin' R&B, scorching soul, and yes indeed, torch songs to put modern "divas" to shame. Though Etta's voice has spectacular range and emotional drive, these recordings do not contain the shrill vocal calesthenics forced on us by the 90's pop divas. The result was this ultra-quality collection, which I guarantee you will never loan out, even to your best friend.

MAXIMUM ETTA; You Keep "Telling Me, Mama!!"!.......2001-09-25

"Etta" Wails, "I'd Rather Go Blind", and ALL I can say is; "Yeah, me too, mama, PLEASE, just don't EVER render me "deaf"!! This "W.O.M.A.N."; can and DOES, "render me awestruck, not to mention, dumbstruck with her sheer "gutesy, simmering, beltin', sheer vocal force/power, and then DOES IT AGAIN, when she "ratches-down" that INCREDIBLE RANGE of her's (doesn't get any better than THIS, folks) and into her OWN "stylistic-trademark "cruise-control", to give us the treat of her "smooth, sly, earthy delivery of her "gentler?-side"; joking here, of course she does have it, and displays it, in all her multifaceted hues, and glory; her instintual brilliance of interpretation is unequaled, and unrivaled. THE MUSIC HEREIN. Well, the "raw jewels" at her absolute "zenith" are pretty much all here. Then they jusy casually drop in previous unreleased "gems", such as "I Never Meant To Love Him", now a personal fave of mine, and her OWN rendition of Aretha"s "Do Right Womam, Do Right Man"; and I'm certainly hard-pressed to say who's version is better. Different, not better. Two cds "chock-full", each containing 22 "cuts' and ALL "prime-Etta", in any style, or aproachto this staggering array of material. I take issue with "other prior posters" who said they weren't ALL "keepers", you can "Lose and Weep" all you want to. I can't find one "sub-standard" cut anywhere here. None. Personal fave "standouts": "Almost Persuaded", a blistering, searing "God"s Song" (That's Why I Love Mankind); and a true "barnburner" by anyone's standards, the aptly titled "Let's Burn Down The Cornfield"; and man, oh, man-does she EVER!! I certainly felt raw, and than "crispy" by the end of cd No. 2. (Appropriately, the "closer". Randy Newman has GOT to be "one proud papa" with these to two seminal/stellar "inteprets". Of course, by the end of this "rollercoaster-ride", over the course of these entire cds "contents", I was "slack-jawed"; and that's putting it lightly. Other noteables: "Waiting For Charlie (To Come Home)"; "Would It Make Any Difference To You", "Pushover""Payback", a bone-chilling rendition of "All The Way Down"; and "closer" on cd No.1, "Baby What You Want Me To Do"-LIVE! YEOWWW! This "comp." is a Very thrifty bargain at any price. Need I say it again? GET THIS "SET"!! You can't POSSIBLY lose. Promise!Lynn Luv, or; Nancy N.

Etta James makes every song a gem........2001-08-28

This a great sampler of the early Etta James, 1960 to 1975, when she sang like a cross between Billie Holiday and Janis Joplin. One minute her voice is gentle and yearning. the next minute sheÕs stomping, growling, and roaring Ð the greatest r&b belter of all time. She has one of the most striking, goosebump-raising voices in the history of music. If all you know of Etta James is "At Last," you owe yourself this album. Not every song on here is a winner. For years no one seemed to be able to figure out what to do with Etta JamesÕ obvious talent, and they kept trying her out in different styles of music. The album is arranged in chronological order, so you hear her move from melodramatic teenage tearjerkers like "All I Could Do Was Cry," to romantic ballads ("At Last" is her most famous song, but there are a half dozen others on this album just as beautiful), to party r&b ("In The Basement"), to the Memphis Soul of "Tell Mama" and "IÕd Rather Go Blind," and finally into adventurous explorations of challenging songwriters like Randy Newman (her version of NewmanÕs "GodÕs Song" still gives me chills no matter how many times I listen to it.) The Essential Etta James is like a history of 60s and 70s soul music. Fascinating. But itÕs not just a period piece. The truth is, thereÕs no kind of music Etta James canÕt sing. She bring soul and grace to everything she touches. She makes the dumb songs fun, and the great ones masterpieces. And sheÕs STILL doing wonderful work, more than forty years after she started. But this album is where you can hear the astonishing range of her gift. This is where any newcomer should begin.

Average customer rating: Classic Herbie great overview of Hancock's stuff A Tasty Aperitif

The Essential Herbie Hancock Herbie Hancock Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo | Jazz | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Possibilities The Best of Herbie Hancock: The Blue Note Years Head Hunters Maiden Voyage The Essential George Benson ASIN: B000E6EJ7U Release Date: 2006-02-28

Tracks:

1. Watermelon
2. 'Round Midnight
3. Cantaloupe Island
4. Maiden Voyage
5. Circle
6. The Sorcerer
7. Tell Me a Bedtime Story
8. Hidden Shadows
9. Chameleon
10. Joanna's Theme 4:47

Tracks:

1. Butterfly
2. People Music
3. Milestones
4. 4 Am
5. Come Running To Me
6. Finger Painting
7. Stars In Your Eyes
8. Rockit
9. St. Louis Blues
10. Manhattan

Amazon.com

This 2-CD, 21-track compilation shows how keyboardist/composer/bandleader Herbie Hancock successfully crossed the boundaries of jazz and pop for four decades. Compiled from five record labels, from 1962 to 2000, tracks like "Circle" showcase his legendary stint in Miles Davis' mid-'60s acoustic combos, and "Maiden Voyage," and "Cantaloupe Island" are but two of his historic jazz compositions from his Blue Note period. But hits like his smash soul-fusion, 70s Headhunters cut, "Chameleon," the evocative "Come Running to Me," which featured the vocoder voice synthesizer, and the hip-hop anthem "Rockit," which broke through the MTV video barrier, garnered younger generations of fans. Not to be forgotten are his excellent movie themes, including his eerie 1986 Oscar-winning soundtrack "Round Midnight," his poppin' collaboration with bassist Jaco Pastorius on "4 A.M.," and his rhythmic rendezvous with Stevie Wonder on W.C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues." Herbie Hancock is essential, in any time or style. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Customer Reviews:

Classic Herbie.......2007-02-02

No other artist in the last 45 years of jazz has remained on the cutting edge of the music like pianist and keyboardist Herbie Hancock: a musician with passion, an open mind and an awareness of history that constantly propels him forward into new sonic territory.

After listening to the first few songs on The Essential Herbie Hancock, you'll understand this intimately. Both Hancock's 1962 hit "Watermelon Man" and his 1964 gem "Cantaloupe Island," which quietly made a strong contribution to hip-hop music in the 1990s (the group Us3 sampled Hancock's track for their hit "Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)") are included in the collection. You'll also hear 1965's "Maiden Voyage," another mainstay on jazz radio for decades now, and a powerful version of "'Round Midnight" by Sonny Rollins where Hancock cleverly backs the saxophonist. Following these four monster recordings, the lineup for the next tune "Circle" is Hancock on keys, Miles Davis on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor sax, Tony Williams on drums and Ron Carter on bass. Together, they seem to be saying everything "My Funny Valentine" ever said only in a modern and more expressive way.

A very well put-together release, The Essential Herbie Hancock includes recordings from an assortment of labels where Hancock recorded, including Blue Note, Verve and RCA. Some of the songs are largely forgotten, but this album re-introduces them to the listener, not forgetting any period of Hancock's growth and development. "Butterfly," an electronic dirge from Hancock's 1974 album Thrust, is here and is as powerful as ever, as is "Chameleon," Hancock's 1973 funk anthem.

But it is the lesser-known tunes that make The Essential Herbie Hancock a complete statement. "Hidden Shadows," a Hancock composition from 1973, is one such moment: more than 10 minutes of complete control, power and improvisational perfection where Hancock creates a wall of sound using keyboards, electronic effects and, most importantly, his heart and soul.

The last three recordings of this album bring Hancock's career and this compilation full circle. His 1983 club hit "Rockit," where Hancock anticipates a hip-hop future and battles hip-hop DJ Grandmaster D.S.T. with boldness and fun is followed by a little known version of "St. Louis Blues" with Hancock leading Stevie Wonder on vocals and harp. There are few arrangements of "St. Louis Blues" that are this inventive.

Of course, the final song here is "Manhattan," from his album The New Standard, another moment in Hancock's career where he challenged the status quo of jazz. Appropriately, on "Manhattan," it is Hancock on piano, all alone for a few moments and without need for any assistance--because as always, Herbie Hancock knows exactly what he wants to say.

-Brian Gilmore (as it originally appeared in Jazz Times Magazine)

great overview of Hancock's stuff.......2007-01-04

I'm impressed by this collection. I knew just a little of Hancock's work before. I bought this seeking to expand my horizons and it worked.

A Tasty Aperitif.......2006-05-24

There's no way to summarize Herbie Hancock's four and a half decades as a recording artist in two discs. Nonetheless, this is a valid overview for those who have only dipped occasionally into his thick catalog. Because Herbie has dabbled in and helped to invent so many different facets of the jazz spectrum, the song-to-song segues can be jolting. But every one of the twenty tracks chosen for this compilation is worthwhile: from the original "Watermelon Man" through the modal "Maiden Voyage," the space-age "Hidden Shadows," the jazz-funk masterpiece "Chameleon" and the Stevie Wonder-ful "St. Louis Blues." One can quibble with what's left off--I'd love to have a chance to assemble my own version of the "essential Herbie"--but even the lesser known latter-day material is interesting and invigorating. To really get to this man's essence, you need whole albums from the various phases of his career, but for a quick aperitif, this is very tasty.

Originally published in Port Folio Weekly, 5/23/06
Copyright 2006 Port Folio Weekly. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

Christian Music:

1. Every Beat of My Heart [Import]
2. Every Inch a Man
3. Ffun
4. Fools Rush In
5. Forever Gold [Original recording remastered]
6. Funk Hits
7. Funky Lady
8. Genius of Clyde McPhatter
9. Good Ole Big Ones [Explicit Lyrics]
10. Greatest Collection: Diana Ross & The Supremes/Four Tops/Martha Reeves & The Vandellas/

Christian Music

christian music

Christian Music

Protest Songs [Import]

To Sun, to Feast and to Converse: American Vocal Duet Music

The Best of Mississippi John Hurt

My Tribute to Hank Williams

This Is Trance [Import] [Limited Edition]

Western Spaces

Visits Oriental Mood

We're Only in It for the Money

Variations

Verdi: Il Trovatore (Complete Opera) [Enhanced]

Transient Random-Noise Bursts With Announcements/Mars Audiac Quintet/Emperor Tomato Ket [Box set] [Import]

Ululu [Import]

Tonto Corazon

Rancho Texicano: The Very Best of ZZ Top

Bettye Swann