Motown Hitsville USA - Boyz II Men

...from their first installment of motown hits in 2005 entitled Throwback. Boyz II Men have released Motown Hitsville USA, A collection of some more of their favourite classics from the legendary motown era. This album was produced with the help of Randy Jackson. The production is of the usual impecable standard people have come to expect from Boyz II Men. Here is my review of the album.

1. First up we have Just My Imagination (Running ...
...shows the variety of both Motown and Boyz II Men. This is a classic high tempo track which keeps the verve of the original and their vocals are some of the most fluid on the album. Superb reworking which keeps the old spark of the original.

3. Mercy Mercy Me is one of Marvin Gaye's best tracks and Boyz II Men do a sterling job of covering it. Keeping the integrity of the lyrics but putting a harmonic spin on things which really works ... more

Following on from their first installment of motown hits in 2005 entitled Throwback. Boyz II Men have released Motown Hitsville USA, A collection of some more of their favourite classics from the legendary motown era. This album was produced with the help of Randy Jackson. The production is of the usual impecable standard people have come to expect from Boyz II Men. Here is my review of the album.

1. First up we have Just My Imagination (Running away with me)
A gentle guitar and drum beat opens this song and then the smooth vocals come in, Nathan starts off the singing with his sweet falsetto and the version is well worth making. Their vocal delivery is perfect for songs of this kind.

Recorded by The Temptations

2. It's the same old song shows the variety of both Motown and Boyz II Men. This is a classic high tempo track which keeps the verve of the original and their vocals are some of the most fluid on the album. Superb reworking which keeps the old spark of the original.

3. Mercy Mercy Me is one of Marvin Gaye's best tracks and Boyz II Men do a sterling job of covering it. Keeping the integrity of the lyrics but putting a harmonic spin on things which really works a treat.

Original by Marvin Gaye

4. Tracks of my tears. Of these songs this is the only track I wasnt a fan of the original, for me it was too much centred on the chorus but this really is a superb version and it shows what voices can do to make a song great.

Original by Smoky Robinson

5. Money is superbly recreated with so much verve and vigour. As The drums pound and the funky guitar comes from the speakers you know this will be a treat. Some great guitar work that is so funky. Quite Brilliant.

6. Easy is one of the most recognisable songs of music history and is easily one of Lionel Richie's best. (pardon the pun). Amazingly this is slightly better than the original and I love the original.

Original by The Commodores

7. I was made to love her is a funky midtempo track which adds again to the original. A very well worth it effort. Nathan, Shawn and Wanya put their Boyz II Men mark on the song.

8. All this love, this is probably the lesser known track on the album but still a classic nonetheless. A superb heartwrenchingly beautiful rendition of the track.

9. Ribbon in the sky opens with finger flicks and then Nathan, Shawn and Wanya open into a stupendous acapella of Stevie Wonder's classic. Probably the most different reworking on the album to the original.

10. Aint nothing like the real thing features Patti Labelle, this duet really works and they sound like they are flowing together so well. It's just so natural.

11. There'll never be is a soulful track which shows how well they work together to create a seamless transition between each vocalists part.

12. Got to be there, It wouldnt be right if the album didnt have a Jackson Five track on it given the producer Randy Jackson. This is a superb reworking which has such a great flow to it. Some fine falsettos from all three.

13. War is reproduced here with aplomb and is a superb antiwar songs as it delves into the problems of war instead of silly individually directed songs against Bush surrounding the Iraq War.

14 End of the Road, the final track on the album and here we have one of the groups own classics. this song stayed at number one for an incredible sixteen weeks in 1992. An awesome reworking that takes nothing away from the message of the original.

Overall

This is an incredible album of 14 songs that make up some of the most well known hits in music history. Nathan, Shawn and Wanya are improving all the time and they will continue to do so as they have an amazing drive together.

I saw them at Hammersmith Apollo in April last year when they released The Remedy and I hope to see them again this year. Seeing them perform these songs live would be amazing and I urge you to check this album out.

A legendary group that just keep getting better and better and the album sounds so well produced by Nathan, Shawn, Wanya and of course Randy Jackson.

Also posted on dooyoo as Lakerfanster 

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