R&B, Hip Hop & Rap Music

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"The Ultimate Collection [Sony/Epic] [Box]" (11/16/2004) R&B Jackson, Michael, Legacy RecordingsPersonnel: Michael Jackson (vocals, percussion); Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, Siedah Garrett, Diana Ross (vocals); The Notorious B.I.G., Vincent Price (rap vocals); Chris Tucker (spoken vocals); Larry Carlton, Michael Sembello, Tito Jackson, David E. Williams , Marlo Henderson (guitar); Jim Horn (saxophone); David "Hawk" Wolinski (electric piano); Michael Boddicker (synthesizer); John Robinson , Nathan Watts, Bobby Watson (bass instrument); Ollie Brown, Bill Bottrell (drums); Paulinho Da Costa, Randy Jackson , Richard Heath (percussion); Jim Gilstrap, Augie Johnson (background vocals); Seawind Horns. By 2004, Michael Jackson's bizarre image almost completely obscured the talent that had made him an international superstar. However, he became a musical icon by simply being the best at creating and performing pop songs. The opening moments alone of hits like "Rock with You" and "Billie Jean" would make them classic, but every aspect of these songs adds up to perfect radio pop. Jackson's THRILLER, after all, didn't simply luck into being the biggest-selling record of its time; each of its seven Top 10 hits had unique charms and drew from different elements of the pop universe. While there have been many previous Jackson hits collections, the four-CD/one-DVD ULTIMATE COLLECTION is just that--it represents Jackson's whole career, from his youthful days with the Jackson 5 to the early years of the 21st century. (The rare omissions--"Human Nature," "Heal the World"--show up live on the DVD.) Mixed in with his numerous hits are previously unreleased songs, demo versions of hits, album tracks, and odds and ends, most remarkably, one of the earliest versions of "We Are the World" with almost completely different lyrics. THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION expertly chronicles the career of one of the most important, if unusual, pop artists of all time.

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"Old School Hip Hop, Vol. 2" (09/11/2001) R&B Various Artists, Thump Records

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"Tha Carter [PA]" (06/29/2004) R&B Lil Wayne, Universal DistributionPersonnel: Lil Wayne (rap vocals); Mannie Fresh, Baby (rap vocals). Lil' Wayne has been in the national spotlight since his days as the youngest member of the Dirty South's Hot Boys. On his fourth solo record, THA CARTER, Wayne is almost wholly on his own. There are no big-name guest stars (as with Petey Pablo's memorable turn on Wayne's previous album), only recurring shots from producer Mannie Fresh and Cash Money head Bryan "Baby" Williams. Lil' Wayne's easy flow speaks for itself; in a relaxed Southern manner, he waits for the rhyme to unfold before unleashing a torrent of lyrical lines, with consistent, understated beats pulling the tracks along. Not as "lil'" as his name implies, Wayne hits a peak with "This Is the Carter," a brash track that captures the essence of this potent hip-hop album.

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"The Album [PA]" (05/07/2005) R&B Original Soundtrack, AftermathThe Firm: Nas, AZ, Foxy Brown, Nature (vocals). Additional personnel: Traci Nelson (vocals); Sean Cruse (guitar); Jerry Moore (flute, saxophone); Ron Blake (trumpet); Scott Hughes, Ken Mengle (trombone); Camara Kambon, Dr. Dre, Glove, Keith Winfield (keyboards); Mike Elizondo (acoustic & electric basses); Curt Gowdy, Poke & Tone (programming); Barbara Wilson, Danette Wilson, Dorothy Coleman, Roger Trautman, Talk Box, Dawn Robonson (background vocals). Producers include: Dr. Dre, Glove, Curt Gowdy, Poke and Tone. Engineers: Richard Huredia, Ken Ifill, Kevin Parker. Personnel: Dawn Robinson, Dorothy Coleman, Danette Wilson, Roger Troutman, Barbara Wilson (vocals, background vocals); Tracy Nelson (vocals); Nature (rap vocals); Sean Cruse (guitar); Jerry Moore (flute, saxophone); Ron Blake (trumpet); Scott Huges, Ken Mengle (trombone); Keith Winfield, Dr. Dre, Chris "The Glove" Taylor, Camara Kambon (keyboards); Poke & Tone (drum programming); Talk Box (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Poke & Tone; Richard Huredia; Richard Travali. Unknown Contributor Roles: Nas Escobar; Foxy Brown ; AZ; Nature. Hip-Hop's first family, Nas, AZ, Foxy Brown, and rap newcomer Nature make their group debut as The Firm. With the production talent of Dr. Dre, the lyrical power of Nas and AZ, and the diva rep of Foxy Brown, the Firm's album is one of the most anticipated projects in hip-hop. As solo artists, Nas, AZ and Foxy Brown have all reached platinum or gold status, and are sure to achieve the same success with the Firm. THE FIRM album is like a film score, focusing on gangster movie themes (see "Phone Tap" or "Five Minutes To Flush," which interpolates Whodini's "Five Minutes Of Funk"). Without a doubt, The Firm's music is hard-core, but Dre's production helps make the album more instantly-accessible. Nature, who is the only Firm MC without a prior solo career, helps keep the group's music connected with the streets by way of his underground orientation.

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"Old School Soul Party [Box]" (03/01/2005) R&B Various Artists, Shout! FactoryLiner Note Author: Steven Chean. Another entry in Shout! Factory's ongoing series of triple-CD box compilations promoted on PBS, this one is more cohesively presented. Sequenced to flow like a typical party, the discs of this predominantly '70s-era 58-track R&B collection are divided into three connected parts. Starting with the high-energy sounds of Wild Cherry's one-hit wonder "Play That Funky Music," disc one (subtitled "Kickin' It Off") continues with tough funk hits from Cameo, Rick James, Parliament, and James Brown. Mercifully dodging the disco bullet save for Donna Summer's "Last Dance," this nonstop funkathon platter is alone worth the price of admission. Adding different sounds such as the Undisputed Truth's slightly trippy "Smiling Faces Sometimes" and the Beginning of the End's tropical "Funky Nassau" successfully serves to shift the style but not the mood. Disc two ("Getting' into the Groove") lightens the groove moderately as melody and pop become more emphasized on Cheryl Lynn's "Got to Be Real," the Friends of Distinction's "Love or Let Me Be Lonely," Gene Chandler's "Groovy Situation," and Ashford & Simpson's "Solid." These are all well-chosen selections that were substantial hits, but not as ubiquitous as the Isley Brothers' "That Lady, Pts. 1-2," a tune that always seems to find its way onto '70s soul collections such as this. Disc three ("Dimmin' the Lights") moves into slow and sensual post-party fare with 19 quiet storm smooth jams from artists such as the Five Stairsteps ("O-o-h Child"), Minnie Riperton ("Lovin' You"),the Chi-Lites ("Have You Seen Her"), and Marvin Gaye ("Sexual Healing"). The schlock factor is obviously higher here, but all the songs are Top Ten R&B and/or pop hits and will spark instant recognition from those this box is intended for. The remastered sound is crisp and sparkling throughout, bringing out these oldies' subtleties -- especially with percussion -- that you might not have heard before. While not definitive, the set accomplishes its mission of replaying the soundtrack to a colorful late-'70s urban shindig. More than a haphazard collection of oldies, this conceptual box boasts a well-defined focus, a unique programming flow, and of course lots of soul. ~ Hal Horowitz

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"Tha Carter [Edited]" (06/29/2004) R&B Lil Wayne, Universal DistributionPersonnel: Lil Wayne (vocals); Mannie Fresh, Birdman , Reel . Lil' Wayne has been in the national spotlight since his days as the youngest member of the Dirty South's Hot Boys. On his fourth solo record, THA CARTER, Wayne is almost wholly on his own. There are no big-name guest stars (as with Petey Pablo's memorable turn on Wayne's previous album), only recurring shots from producer Mannie Fresh and Cash Money head Bryan "Baby" Williams. Lil' Wayne's easy flow speaks for itself; in a relaxed Southern manner, he waits for the rhyme to unfold before unleashing a torrent of lyrical lines, with consistent, understated beats pulling the tracks along. Not as "lil'" as his name implies, Wayne hits a peak with "This Is the Carter," a brash track that captures the essence of this potent hip-hop album.

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"Love Songs" (01/15/2002) R&B Jackson, Michael, Motown RecordsPersonnel includes: Michael Jackson, The Jackson 5. Producers include: Bobby Taylor, Mel Larson, Jerry Marcellino, Hal Davis, Brian Holland. Compilation producers: Harry Weinger, Anthony Ellis. Recorded between 1969 and 1975. Includes liner notes by Brian Chin. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Liner Note Author: Brian Chin. Recording information: 02/1970. Arrangers: James Anthony Carmichael; David Blumberg; Fonce Mizell; Gene Page; David Van De Pitte; John Bahler; Bob West . Released in January of 2002, Motown's Love Songs contains 14 love songs and ballads Michael Jackson recorded, either by himself or with the Jackson 5, during his time on Motown in the early '70s. There are a few familiar songs here, such as "Who's Lovin' You," but the Love Songs series prides itself on mood, not hits, while providing just one or two tracks as collector's bait (a previously unreleased version of "I'll Be There" or the original mix of "Call on Me," for example). This means that it's the odd collection that sort of appeals to the dedicated, since it gives a different spin on the artist (but not really, since it recycles the catalog), and it sort of appeals to the casual fan, since it digs through albums to provide what they're looking for (but not really, since there aren't that many big hits here). So it fulfills the promise of the title quite well, but that doesn't necessarily mean that a lot of people will really need it (unless they're looking for mood music, of course). ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

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"Tom Joyner Presents: Old School Mix" (03/16/1999) R&B Various Artists, Rhino Records (USA)Liner Note Author: Tom Joyner. Photographer: Michael Ochs. Around 1994, urban contemporary DJ Tom Joyner hired Steve "Silk" Hurley to provide "old school mixes" for his popular Tom Joyner Morning Show; and by old school, he meant the classic soul, funk, and disco of the late '70s and early '80s. To be sure, Hurley was perfect for the job; he had played an indispensable role in house music, and his credentials as a mixmaster were undeniable. The type of mixing that Hurley has done on his show is what he does for Old School Mix, which spans 1976-1982 and boasts a non-stop mix of 18 major hits from that period. One gem segues right into another; just as Gwen McCrae's "Funky Sensation" is starting to fade out, Hurley comes right in with One Way's "Cutie Pie." And just as Peter Brown's "Dance With Me" is starting to end, Anita Ward's "Ring My Bell" makes its presence felt. The CD is full of gems that defined the disco era, such as Chic's "Le Freak," Sister Sledge's "He's the Greatest Dancer," and Foxy's "Get Off." But Joyner's mix has as much to do with hardcore funk and soul as it does with disco; Funkadelic's "One Nation Under a Groove," Slave's "Slide," and Zapp's "More Bounce to the Ounce" soared to number one or two on the R&B charts, but didn't fare nearly as well on the pop charts. In fact, Old School Mix is pretty much the type of soul/funk/disco blend you could have expected to hear on the mix shows that graced black radio in the late '70s and early '80s. Even if you're not familiar with Joyner's show and Hurley's contributions to it, this is a CD to savor. ~ Alex Henderson

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"Trap House [PA]" (05/24/2005) R&B Mane, Gucci, Big Cat Records (USA)Personnel: Gucci Mane; Khujo Goodie, Killer Mike, Lil Scrappy, Young Jeezy, Jody Breeze, Young Snead, Torica, Mac Bre-Z, Bun B. Recording information: Big Cat Studio; PatchWerk Studios. For Atlanta MC Gucci Mane, the road to the release of his debut, TRAP HOUSE, was, to say the least, a bit bizarre. First there was a dispute over the underground hit "Icy," a collaboration with Young Jeezy of Boyz N Da Hood, with Gucci denying Def Jam the rights to put the track on the latter's debut record, which led to an exchange of accusatory mixtape tracks. Then, the week before TRAP HOUSE dropped, Gucci Mane found himself surrendering to murder charges. Controversy has rarely hurt record sales, but the album ultimately stands or falls on the strength of Mane's rap skills. To that effect, he is a charismatic rapper who rhymes with an agreeable rawness about rising from life on the streets. There is no smoke-and-mirrors obfuscation to his style; "Lawnmower Man" simply speaks of his prowess, "Black Tees" plainly, playfully swipes at the Dem Franchize Boyz hit "White Tees." The controversial "Icy" employs an electronic beat as spare as Mane's style for an effective paean to the streets. Across all the tracks, Gucci Mane's breezy demeanor contrasts his hard lyrics for a capable debut.

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"Number Ones" (11/18/2003) R&B Jackson, Michael, Epic (USA)Personnel: Michael Jackson (vocals, background vocals); Siedah Garrett (vocals); Donnie Lyle (guitar). Audio Mixer: Serban Ghenea. Photographers: Stephen Harvey; Dick Zimmerman; Sam Emerson. The 1990s may not have been kind to Michael Jackson on a commercial level, due to fickle music tastes and assorted personal controversies, but NUMBER ONES reinforces Jackson's place in pop culture history. Unlike its preceding compilation, HIStory, this anthology trims the fat, although occasionally going overboard in leaving off certified chart-toppers like the Paul McCartney duet "Say Say Say" in lieu of lesser-known, latter-day fare like "Earth Song." That said, casual fans of the Gloved One will still feast on plenty, ranging from dance classics like "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You" from 1979's stellar OFF THE WALL to the singles that powered the industry-shifting THRILLER and BAD. Among the hits featured here are "Beat It," (with its tour de force Eddie Van Halen solo), the scathing "Dirty Diana" (with Steve Stevens substituting for Van Halen), and catchy title cuts from the aforementioned albums. Meanwhile, Alien Ant Farm fans get to reacquaint themselves with the original "Smooth Criminal," and R. Kelly fans get to experience Jacko croon "One More Chance," the single new song that was penned and produced by Kelly.

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R&B, Hip Hop & Rap Music calling your name? Find all of the top Music gear that you want at BizRate. Compare prices from top brands like as well as . Browse ratings from merchants that sell R&B, Hip Hop & Rap Music and other Music. Narrow your choices down by price range, brand, merchant, and more. Find the product that's right for you: The Ultimate Collection [Sony/Epic] [Box] by Michael Jackson (CD - 11/16/2004) - Tha Carter III [PA] by Lil Wayne (CD - 08/18/2008).