Borders.com in R&B, Hip Hop & Rap Music

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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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"Soul Hits of the 80's" (2000) R&B Various Artists, Sony Music Special Products

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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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"Old School Booty Jams [Edited]" (10/23/2001) R&B Various Artists, Lil' Joe Records, Inc.Includes bonus CD.

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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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"Happy People/U Saved Me" (08/24/2004) R&B Kelly, R., Jive Records (USA)Personnel include: R. Kelly (vocals); Kelly Price (vocals); Donnie Lyle (guitar, bass instrument, background vocals); Rodney East, Kendall Nesbitt (keyboards); Abel Garibaldi, Nathan Wheeler (programming, background vocals); Steve Bearsley, Andy Gallas, Ian Mereness, Jason Mlodzinski (programming); Uncle Life (background vocals). Recording information: The Chocolate Factory, Chicago, Il; The Studio, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. R. Kelly's music is sometimes hard to separate from his borderline-absurd real-life misadventures, since his alleged misdeeds inevitably inform his recordings. While most artists are influenced by life unfolding around them, few people's private worlds bleed into their creative work in such a public and chaotic way. Heart-on-sleeve emotion has been a hallmark of Kelly's music, and as scandal has surrounded him, so have heartfelt pleas of forgiveness and repentance. His ambitious 2004 double record, HAPPY PEOPLE/U SAVED ME, can be seen as a reaction to/against all this drama. The titles reflect the music within to perfection, the former containing infectious celebrations of life and love, the latter every inch a traditional gospel/soul record. When freeing himself to party on HAPPY PEOPLE, Kelly lets loose a torrent of catchy, groove-laden love songs, most notably the clever "Love Signals." On U SAVED ME, he gains gravity with a solemn grace that transcends his troubles, making a credible artistic conversion.

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"AWOL - Version 1.5 [PA]" (11/08/2005) R&B AZ (Rap), Fast Life Music, Inc.Personnel: AZ ; Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, J-Hen. Recording information: The Cutting Room, New York, New York; Chung King House Of Metal, New York, New York (2005). Despite a knack for well-written street narratives packed with poetic and potent lyrical observations, skills approaching those of his one-time mentor Nas, and a precise delivery akin to the master Rakim, AZ has rarely caught the ear of as wide an audience as he deserves. In 2005's AWOL, the Brooklyn MC's fifth record, AZ is at the top of his game; after forcefully reintroducing himself on "So Sincere," he expertly unfolds a eulogy for a fallen friend, complete with unique and unforgettable hook, on the sadly stirring "Never Change." Arresting tracks such as the simple throwback "New York," the hip-hop history-citing "Still Alive," and the DJ Premier-produced "The Come Up" bolster AZ's best album to date.

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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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"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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"Trap House [PA]" (05/24/2005) R&B Mane, Gucci, Big Cat Records (USA)Personnel include: Gucci Mane; Khujo Goodie, Killer Mike, Lil Scrappy, Young Jeezy, Jody Breeze, Young Snead, Torica, Mac Bre-Z, Bun B. 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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"Now & Forever:: The Hits" (06/21/2005) R&B TLC, LaFace (USA)TLC: Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes, Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Rozonda "Chili" Thomas (vocals). Additional personnel: Lil Jon, Sean Paul (rap vocals). One could have been forgiven for pegging TLC as a flash in the pan when their debut single, the deliriously silly, decidedly raunchy "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" ruled MTV's airwaves, with the threesome frolicking in a cartoonish graffiti world. While the song bordered on novelty, it showcased the other elements that placed TLC among the more appealing hitmakers of the 1990s, with Chilli's soulful vocals playing off Left Eye's distinct, somewhat coquettish raps, and the sex-drenched growl of T-Boz bringing it all together. TLC would later prove diverse as they skulked sinisterly on "Creep," delivered a message song smoothly with "Waterfalls," and riffed hilariously on "No Scrubs," all of which deservedly topped both the R&B and pop charts. NOW & FOREVER: THE HITS compiles all the hits from the talented trio, and many lesser-known tracks spanning their too-brief career. The collection also features two new tracks; TLC brings a welcome new flavor to crunk (with Lil' Jon's aid) on "Come Get Some," and delivers some trademark hip-hop-drenched, harmonized soul on "Whoop De Woo."

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"M.I.A.M.I. [PA]" (08/24/2004) R&B Pitbull (Rap), TVT (USA)Personnel: Pitbull (rap vocals); Fat Joe, Lil Jon, Mr. Vegas, Oobie, Piccalo, Trick Daddy, Cubo, Bun B (rap vocals). Recording information: 4 Star, South Beach, FL.

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"Get Rich or Die Tryin' [PA]" (02/04/2003) R&B Cent, 50, Aftermath Records (USA)Personnel includes: 50 Cent, Eminem, Young Buck, Tony Yayo, Nate Dogg, Lloyd Banks. Producers include: Dr. Dre, Eminem, John Freeman, Red Spyda, Terence Dudley. 50 Cent was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best New Artist. GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN' was nominated for Best Rap Album. "In The Club" was nominated for Best Male Rap Solo Performance and for Best Rap Song. This Limited version includes a bonus documentary DVD disc. Personnel includes: 50 Cent, Eminem, Young Buck, Tony Yayo, Nate Dogg, Lloyd Banks. Producers include: Dr. Dre, Eminem, John Freeman, Red Spyda, Terence Dudley. 50 Cent was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best New Artist. GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN' was nominated for Best Rap Album. "In Da Club" was nominated for Best Male Rap Solo Performance and for Best Rap Song. Provocative 2003 official debut from Queens gangsta-poet, includes anthemic #1 hit "In Da Club." With its inclusion on the mega-successful 8 MILE soundtrack, 50 Cent's "Wanksta" blew up in late 2002, calling out the hypocrisies of wannabe gangstas who boast of criminal exploits that exist only in their imaginations. If anyone has the right to speak it's 50 Cent; he made his mark in the streets (not to mention newspapers) long before Eminem inked the Queens rapper to his Shady Records. In between the occasional single and album, 50 Cent has been involved in many notorious hip-hop confrontations. The too-aptly titled GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN' (which includes "Wanksta") introduces his brash, talk-it-like-he-walks-it rap style to the world at large. 50 Cent blithely cites the Bible in "Many Men (Wish Death)" while crowing about the rival who famously shot him in 2000 only to be shot himself ("cuz he got hit like I got hit and he ain't...breathin'"). From that slice of ultra-reality, he shifts to the dance-pop anthem "In Da Club." Throughout GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN', 50 Cent presents a strikingly original, raw worldview, even by the well-traveled genre's bleak and violent standards.

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"I Gotta Make It" (07/26/2005) R&B Songz, Trey, Atlantic (USA)This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Personnel include: Trey Songz (vocals); Aretha Franklin (vocals); Juvenile (rap vocals); Troy Taylor, Kookie (various instruments, background vocals); Bei Maejor, Michael Me, Steffon Reed (various instruments); Eric Walls, Rick Williams, Mike Hartnett (guitar); Hornz Unlimited (horns); Dave Robbins (keyboards); Stuart Johnson (bass instrument). Recording information: Deep Studios, Hampton, VA; Songbook, Dallas, TX. Any young R&B performer that can get Aretha Franklin to introduce his debut album must be doing something right. Although Trey Songz's I GOTTA MAKE IT opens with "A Message from Aretha," an uplifting bit of advice from the soul legend, the record isn't an old-school outing; this is hip-hop-inflected contemporary R&B in the R. Kelly vein. The smooth, catchy single "Gotta Make It" appears twice here, first as a collaboration between the gently crooning Songz and the lightning-fast rapper Twista, and later as a remix featuring more words of wisdom from Franklin and the steady flow of Juvenile. Other highlights include the charming slow jam "Gotta Go" and the infectiously percussive "Just Wanna Cut." Though Songz is just one of many up-and-comers in early-2000s R&B, he downplays swaggering bravado in favor of a more amiable confidence, and this quality makes him a clear standout in the crowd.

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"Old School: Rap Party" (05/14/2002) R&B Various Artists, Thump Records

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