Review rated by 23 Ciao members on average: very helpful
Released in 2003, Blacksteet had already been around a number of years but only had released 3 albums, all with mixed reviews. The main stay of this group is Teddy Riley is also known for writing songs for various artists including Michael Jackson and New Kids On the Block! Throughout the years, we've seen the line up change here and there with original member Dave Hollister going solo and other guys coming and going.
The release of this album was in my eyes perfectly timed as a short while after this Teddy Riley went nuts, ok not actually mad, but his writing and musical style changed considerably to fit in with the Timbalands and Pharrells of thie world. His experimenting in production took a turn for the worst and this cd really does capture Blackstreet when they were at their best, r&b,coming out the end of the new jack swing era into solid slow jams that people can relax to, great voices of gospel background and no frills.
17 tracks of good standard and good price make this well worth purchasing instead of the albums, trust me i have them all!
1 - Baby be Mine - Track taken from the Blacksteet first album 2 - Booti Call - Just coming out the new jack swing era 3 - Before I Let You Go - First Blackstreet song i heard and a proper slow jam. one to put on in the background with a romantic meal! 4 - Joy - Great harmonies in a song about new additions to their families, touching video also. 5 - Fallin In Love Again - Another sold slow jam 6 - Tonights The NIght - See above! 7 - No Diggity - probably their most popular tune to date featuring Dr Dre & Queen Pen 8 - Billie Jean - A good rendition of jacksons classic 9 - Never Gonna Let You Go - Similar to track 3 but one of the stand out songs from the another level album 10 - Dont Leave Me - Second single from the another level album using 2pacs 'I aint mad at cha' sample. Good one to sing along to 11 - I Cant Get You Out Of My Mind - A head bopper slow jam, if there is such a thing! Cool song. Another version on the Hav Plenty souondtrack if you want to hear it 12 - Fix - Third single from the another level album, good solid addition. there is a rock version which is also pretty good if you can find it 13 - Money Cant Buy Me Love - Slowed soft version of the Beatles classic. 14 - Coming Home To You - Nice track 15 - Get Me Home - Foxy Brown with Blackstreet on chorus, good beats but these guys are the song. 16 - Girlfriend/Boyfriend - Duet with Janet Jackson, Rileys production starting to turn a little! Average 17 - The Lord Is Real (Time Will Reveal) - Good gospel track to end on showing the guys roots
Normally with greatest hits, the opportunity is there to miss out on lesser known tracks frmo the various albums and theyre are never going to be your own greatest hits but this comes as close as your going to get with Blacksteet unless they come out with something new and improved.
The groups vocals are probably second only to Boyz II Men and the songs picked here are certainly the ones i would want to listen to. Sit back and enjoy all for under a fiver!
by (61%):
by (39%):
04.04.2009 23:52
Not my type of music, but a decent review like always.
03.04.2009 20:23
Not really my kind of music but I can definitely admit to getting down to "No Diggity" on more than one occasion!
03.04.2009 16:55
Not for me but good review. J