Amazon Marketplace in R&B, Hip Hop & Rap Music

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"The Ultimate Collection [Box]" (11/16/2004) R&B Jackson, Michael, Legacy RecordingsPersonnel include: Michael Jackson (vocals, percussion); Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, Seidah Garrett, Diana Ross (vocals); The Notorious B.I.G., Vincent Price (rap vocals); Chris Tucker (spoken vocals); Larry Carlton, Mike Sembello, Tito Jackson, David 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); The Seawind Horns. Recording information: 1969 - 2004. 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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"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.

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"The Essential Michael Jackson" (07/19/2005) R&B Jackson, Michael, Legacy RecordingsPersonnel: Michael Jackson (vocals); Linda Harmon, Andrae Crouch, Paul McCartney, Siedah Garrett, Mystery Girl (vocals); Vincent Price (spoken vocals); Mike Sembello, Roland Bautista, Tito Jackson, David Williams , Marlo Henderson (guitar); David "Hawk" Wolinski (piano); Michael Boddicker (keyboards, synthesizer); Greg Phillinganes (keyboards); Glen Ballard (synthesizer); Gary King, Louis Johnson, Nathan Watts , Bobby Watson (bass guitar); Claudio Slon, Laudir De Oliveira (drums, congas, percussion); Ed Green, John Robinson (drums); Paulinho Da Costa, Randy Jackson , Richard Heath (percussion); James Ingram, Jim Gilstrap, Paulette McWilliams, Mortinette Jenkins, Augie Johnson (background vocals); David Paich, Jerry Hey, Jimmy Smith , Kim Hutchcroft, Larry Carlton, Larry Williams, Steve Porcaro, Teddy Riley. Recording information: 1969 - 1999. Ensemble: The Seawind Horns. The title might sound like hyperbole, but this two-disc collection is, in fact, a pretty fair summation of Michael Jackson's career up to 2005. Of course, it's impossible for two discs to hold every hit single Michael Jackson has ever had, but THE ESSENTIAL MICHAEL JACKSON starts with the Jackson Five's debut single, "I Want You Back," and ends 38 tracks later with the 2001 comeback attempt "You Rock My World." In between is a chronological overview of some of the most significant pop music in the last three decades of the 20th century, climaxing with about two-thirds of THRILLER and half of OFF THE WALL, the album that in retrospect sounds even fresher and more exciting than its blockbuster follow-up. Disc Two starts in 1987 with eight tracks from the underrated BAD, and its second half does the listener the handy service of compressing the second act of Michael Jackson's life story (a time when the tabloid headlines were overshadowing his increasingly formulaic music) into nine entirely respectable, if not earth-shattering, singles.

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"The Emancipation Of Mimi: Platinum Edition" (11/15/2005) R&B Carey, Mariah, MonarC/IslandPersonnel: Mariah Carey (vocals); Trey Lorenz (vocals); Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Twista (rap vocals); Chops Horns (horns); James Wright (keyboards); Randy Jackson (bass instrument); Charles Drayton (drums); Fatman Scoop, Jermaine Dupri, Johnta Austin (background vocals). Recording information: Right Track Studios, New York, New York; South Side Studios, Atlanta, GA; Honeywest, New York, NY. With the lofty title THE EMANCIPATION OF MIMI, it's clear that Mariah Carey wants listeners to know she's releasing an important record. Here she aims to reveal an aspect of herself that has previously been held back by career missteps and tabloid-worthy drama. It's refreshing, then, that 2005's EMANCIPATION returns the focus to Carey's remarkable voice, as the singer makes her most accomplished record in over a decade. Carey opens the album by exhibiting some of the most sincerely soulful vocals of her career on the one-two punch of the up-tempo "It's Like That" and the beautiful ballad "We Belong Together." Her able voice expertly complements both the hazy hip-hop of Snoop Dogg on "Say Somethin'" and the acrobatics of Twista on the dream-like "One and Only." In her early years, Carey would have adorned the latter track with vocal tricks to show off her five-octave voice, but she has wisely learned to rein in her frills. In fact, restraint is the key word on THE EMANCIPATION OF MIMI, a straightforward and satisfying pop-R&B collection.

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"Old School Love Songs Vol. 7" (09/27/2005) R&B Various Artists, Thump Records

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"Get Lifted" (12/28/2004) R&B Legend, John, Columbia (USA)Personnel include: John Legend (vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, organ, keyboards); Kanye West (rap vocals, programming); Snoop Dogg (rap vocals); Dave Tozer (guitar, keyboards, bass guitar, programming); Miri Ben-Ari (strings); Tim Izo (flute, saxophone); Printz Board (trumpet); Will.I.Am (Moog synthesizer, programming). Recording information: The Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY; Westlake Audio, Hollywood, California. Six years after cutting his musical teeth as a teen, tickling the ivories on the classic Lauryn Hill single "Everything Is Everything," John Stephens popped up everywhere in 2004, going by the bold name of John Legend. His ubiquity was unsurprising, since he was taken under the wing of Kanye West, the year's breakout success, who tabbed Legend "the future of hip-hop." It's an interesting label for a man whose elegant voice and schooled songwriting conjures up Bill Withers and Al Green, but sometimes the future intersects with the past in a manner transcending revival. Legend drops his debut, GET LIFTED, into the center of the neo-soul universe, and it's a charming, earnest record. Sometimes he dives into a contemporary slow jam, as on "Let's Get Lifted;" other times he finds a groove the Delfonics would be proud of, as on the West-driven "Number One." On the gently gorgeous "Ordinary People, " however, it's just the man and his piano. Whether he's truly the future direction of any genre or not, Legend is an artist to watch, and GET LIFTED offers the first major taste of his talent.

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

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"The Definitive Collection" (10/29/2002) R&B Wonder, Stevie, Motown RecordsPersonnel includes: Stevie Wonder (vocals, various instruments); Luther Vandross (vocals); Malcolm Cecil, Robert Margouleff (programming); Gloria Barley, Lani Groves, Jim Gilstrap, The Jackson 5 (background vocals). Producers include: Berry Gordy, Henry Cosby, Clarence Paul, Stevie Wonder, William "Mickey" Stevenson. Compilation producers: Harry Weinger, Jeff Moskow. Recorded between 1963 & 1985. Includes liner notes by Scott Regan. Missing in action for much of the 1990s, Stevie Wonder is a living legend whose consistent creative output is sorely missed. THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION provides a snapshot overview of Wonder's stellar legacy starting back in 1963 as a teen musical prodigy with the exuberant "Fingertips Part 2." This jubilant tune, showcasing Wonder's much-touted facility on the chromatic harmonica, is a powerful harbinger of things to come. Along the way are classics that find this Michigan native going from being a one-man Motown hit machine to a young artist whose vision eschewed singles-based sensibilities for album-long artistic statements. Wonder's '60s gems include "I Was Made to Love Her," "For Once in My Life," and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours." Of course, his '70s work is just as stunning, particularly socially conscious numbers like "Higher Ground" and "Living for the City." Equally stellar if less political are this legend's tributes to Duke Ellington ("Sir Duke"), Bob Marley ("Master Blaster [Jammin']"), and Caribbean music in general ("Boogie on Reggae Woman"). THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION is an excellent primer for both die-hard fan and passing admirer of Stevie Wonder's genius.

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"20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Michael Jackson" (11/21/2000) R&B Jackson, Michael, Motown RecordsProducers include: The Corporation, Fonce Mizell, Mel Larson, Jerry Marcellino, Brian Holland, Bob Gaudio. Compilation producer: Harry Weinger. Includes liner notes Tom Terrell. Digitally remastered by Suha Gur (Universal Mastering Studios East). This is part of MCA's 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection series.

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"Greatest Hits: History Vol. 1" (11/13/2001) R&B Jackson, Michael, Epic (USA)Includes a 28 page booklet. Personnel includes: Michael Jackson (vocals, percussion); Paul McCartney, Siedah Garrett (vocals); L.T.B. (rap vocals); Vincent Price, Andres McKenzie, Ashley Farrell (spoken vocals); Steve Lukather (guitar, bass); Slash, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Gale, Larry Carlton, Danny Huff (guitar); The Seawind Horns (horns); David Paich (piano, keyboards, synthesizers); John Barnes (piano); Greg Phillinganes (Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards); Steve Porcaro, Bill Wolfer (keyboards, programming); David Foster, Teddy Riley, Glen Ballard (keyboards); Nathan East, Terry Jackson, Bobby Watson (bass); Jeff Porcaro, Ndugu Chancler, John Robinson, Bryan Loren (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Kevin Gilbert (programming); James Ingram (background vocals). Producers: Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Bill Bottrell, Teddy Riley. Engineers include: Bruce Swedien, Humberto Garcia, Matt Forger. Includes liner notes by Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Steven Spielberg, Michael Jackson. Digitally remastered by Bernie Grundman. Having spent most of the '90s laying low, Michael Jackson spent much of the latter part of 2001 reintroducing himself to the public with a studio album (INVINCIBLE) and deluxe reissues of his Epic Records canon. Also released was GREATEST HITS: HIStory VOL.1, essentially Disc 1 of the similarly named 2-CD 1995 anthology HIStory: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE BOOK 1. Regardless of how obvious the strategy of flooding the market with past and present material may have been, there's no denying how the contents of the GREATEST HITS package go a long way towards supporting the moniker of the self-proclaimed King Of Pop. Amid rumors of rampant eccentricities, MJ plowed ahead crafting memorable numbers ranging from infectious dance numbers ("Wanna Be Starting' Somethin'," "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough") to heartfelt pleas for peace ("Black Or White", "Heal The World"). Jacko's pure chart dominance found him breaking MTV's glass ceiling of color behind the THRILLER juggernaut and its slew of smashes: - "Billie Jean," "The Girl Is Mine" (with Paul McCartney"), "Thriller," and "Beat It" with its blistering Eddie Van Halen guitar solo-cum-crossover hook. Thankfully, the greatness of this 15-track set supersedes any tabloid innuendo.

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"Old School Soul Party [Box]" (03/01/2005) R&B Various Artists, Shout! FactoryLiner Note Author: Steven Chean. Recording information: 1969 - 1987.

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"Tom Joyner's Old School Mix Returns" (03/05/2002) R&B Various Artists, Rhino Records (USA)Compilation producer: Steve "Silk" Hurley/Barry Benson. Includes liner notes by Tom Joyner. Digitally remastered by Bob Fisher (Pacific Multimedia Corp).

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"Confessions: Special Edition" (10/05/2004) R&B Usher, LaFace (USA)This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Personnel: Usher (vocals); Ludacris, Lil Jon (rap vocals); Thicke, Rich Harrison (various instruments); Bobby Ross Avila (guitar, piano, Wurlitzer piano, keyboards, Moog synthesizer, programming, vinyl scratches); Daniel Marino (guitar); James Wright (Wurlitzer piano, bass); Jimmy Jam (Fender Rhodes piano); Larry Cox, L-Roc (keyboards); LaMarquis Jefferson (bass); IZ (drums, percussion, vinyl scratches); Sean Garrett, Darcy Aldridge, Paula Patton (background vocals). Producers include: Just Blaze, Valdez Brantley, Jonathan "Lil Jon" Smith, Usher raymond, James Lackey. Personnel include: Usher (vocals); Alicia Keys (vocals); Kanye West, Lil Jon, Ludacris, Shyne, Twista (rap vocals); IZ (drums, percussion). Recording information: Lacococo, Alpharetta, GA; Circle House, Miami, Florida; The Village Recorder, Los Angeles, California. Usher has been a symbol of tender sexuality ever since he shifted from teenage sensation to soulful superstar. He's breathtakingly good at what he does; possessing that undefinable essence known to a select few soul crooners (Al Green, D'Angelo, etc.) who radiate sensuality through song, Usher has reached an apex on the sultry CONFESSIONS, his fifth studio album. After the obligatory intro, Lil Jon kicks in with his exhortations on the catchy, dance-floor-ready single "Yeah." Usher follows that up with the sublimely sweet "Throwback," a torch song with a fantastic Motown hook. On "Confessions Part II," he exposes his most vulnerable side when admitting to his lover that he's fathered a child with another woman. Exemplifying his versatility, Usher follows the standard pop ballad "Simple Things" with the guitar-riff-driven "Bad Girl," somewhere between 1970s funk and '80s Prince. CONFESSIONS is the sound of an R&B luminary at the top of his game.

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"Pure 80's Dance" (04/06/2004) R&B Various Artists, Hip-O Records

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"Tha Carter 2 [PA]" (12/06/2005) R&B Lil Wayne, Universal Records (USA)A one-time member of New Orleans's Hot Boys, rapper Lil Wayne attained a new level of confidence and skill on 2004's THA CARTER. That album featured only a few guest shots (as opposed to typically star-studded hip-hop records), and this 2005 sequel once again keeps things focused on Wayne, with the MC flying solo on almost every track. This uncluttered scenario, which relies on a spare, yet distinctly Cash Money-style musical backdrop, gives Wayne the freedom to let his laid-back rhymes stretch out, as best revealed on the ominous "Fireman" and the boastful "Best Rapper Alive." Clearly Wayne knows how to work a winning concept, since THA CARTER II stays true to both its predecessor and the relentless, unapologetic spirit of Southern rap.

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"Number Ones" (11/18/2003) R&B Jackson, Michael, Epic (USA)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.