Here is the soundtrack to the 1996 Warner Brothers, basketball-related film "Space Jam", which starred Michael Jordan. This too was released in '96. The film was partly animated and included many of the Looney Tunes, including Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd and Daffy Duck, some of whom appear during this R&B and Hip Hop-dominated album.
I didn't specifically buy this at the time, it was a special offer with the "Space Jam" video at the time as it came free with it, and to be honest, without this I probably wouldn't have picked it up.
1. "Fly Like an Eagle" - Seal
Here is a Steve Miller cover by the UK soul singer Seal. It fits in very well with the theme of the film and it is extremely inspirational. I found that the dramatically improved the song by making it more universal to the listener.
**Five Stars**
2. "The Winner" - Coolio
This is a funky Hip Hop joint from the West Coast MC Coolio,, famed for "Gangsta's Paradise" the year before this soundtrack came out. This acts as a form of motivation as the beat is uplifting and the lyrics are all about succeeding in this world, the combination makes you want to strive for better things.
**Four Stars**
3. "Space Jam"
- Quad City DJ's
Here is a typical dance Hip hop track from the mid-nineties, full of energy and very exciting. This one comes from a little known Miami duo, Quad City DJ's, who didn't really get too much exposure, but blow up big with this single.The track is all about the fast-paced sport of basketball, and all the girls, money and dunk associated with it.
Everyone knows this inspirational song which stood out as the best song from the film. I feel that it dramatically boosted R. Kelly's career,despite the fact was was doing very well before it was released. This reminds you of the emotional times during the film which were very infrequent, so it highlights parts of the film which you may have otherwise forgotten about.
5. "Hit 'Em High" - B Real, Busta Rhymes, Coolio, LL Cool J, and Method Man
This as the Monstars' theme in the film and it features some rap all-stars of the time from West (B- Real and Coolio) to East (Method Man, LL Cool J and Busta Rhymes) all on the theme of ballin'. This is an amazing Hip Hop record with a big beat which really gets exciting as the five artist chant to hype you up, perfect for a warm up for playing sports.
**Five Stars**
6. "I Found My Smile Again" - D'Angelo
There quite annoying minute-long introduction to this track before any speech is heard, and it made me lose interest, so by the time D'Angelo, R&B musician, comes into the tune you've already lost concentration on the lyrics. However as the song is six minutes long, at some point, you will remember to listen again.
**Two Stars**
7. "For You I Will" - Monica
This is a song about the length this R&B songstress will go to in the name of love, which is apparently very far. To be honest it's just like the rest of the love songs on this album and you don't get anything new from this, but it's always nice o listen to, so you can't really complain about it.
**Three Stars**
8. "Upside Down ('Round-N-'Round)" - Salt-N-Pepa
This is a big rap from the Queens, New York duo of female MCs. They certainly brought a big record hear with a hell of a lot of energy to get you on your feet. The subject of the track is love, but they're presentation of it is very original, and it works very well with they're style of rap, so everything compliments each other to create a all-round great track.
**Five Stars**
9. "Givin' U All That I've Got" - Robin S.
This is a rather typical example of club R&B in the mid-nineties, although you may not think that there was a distinct sound of this time, this will definitely remind you of it. I have to say that I didn't particularly like it, but the overall sound goes with the film well.
**Two Stars**
10. "Basketball Jones" - Barry White and Chris Rock
This is a very soulful track by Barry White with the hilarious Chris Rock who completes the track about having a love for basketball. Chris tells us about the source of his the game and how it has effected his life in a funny way. There is also a hard Hip Hop beat on of this to make it perfect.
**Five Stars**
11. "I Turn To You" - All-4-One
I hadn't heard of this R&B group prior to listening to the album and I liked what I found on hear as the belted out a fitting song which takes you into a dream-like state as you attempt to find your feet and try to succeed, but you it won't be possible without that special someone.
**Three Stars**
12. "All of My Days" - Changing Faces featuring R. Kelly and Jay-Z
Here is a big collaboration featuring the best in R&B with R. Kelly, and rap, Jay-Z, alongside a short-live R&B female duo who when by the name of Changing Faces. This is a nice little love song for the soundtrack, and although it isn't really that relevant, it suits the main theme of the album.
**Three Stars**
13. "That's the Way (I Like It)" - Spin Doctors featuring Biz Markie
Biz Markie kicks this record off with his trademarked beatboxing before covering the KC & The Sunshine Band's classic song "That's The Way". The funk rock band, Spin Doctors' really completes the record as they come out with everything in order to recreate the hype and excitement that the original 1975 recording brought.
**Four Stars**
14. "Buggin'" - Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd
Well I haven't got much to say about this, because it really annoys me when people attempt to rap and just ruin the look of the Hip Hop in general. You aren't likely to stick this on your iPod, it's not funny (apart from a Disney diss) and the quality just isn't there.
**One Star**
In conclusion, when a song is good on this album, it's amazing, when it's not too good, it's terrible, so it's your choice on whether you think the balance is worth the cost of the CD. I probably wouldn't buy this if you don't enjoy urban musical genres, because these completely dominate the album, but if you do, you'll probably enjoy it.
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Fly Like An Eagle (Seal) The Winner (Coolio) Space Jam (Quad City Dj's) I Believe I Can ... more
Fly (R. Kelly) Hit 'Em High (The Monstars' Anthem) (B Real) (Busta Rhymes) (Coolio) (LL Cool J) (Method Man) I Found My Smile Again (D'Angelo) For You I Will (Monic...
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Mar 14th, 2008
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