How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998) (Jean/Wonder/Ndegeocello/King )

Product Summary Label: Uni/mca UPC: 00008811180621 Release Date: 8/11/1998 Buy.com Sku: 60141306 Item#: MGT2QM Buy.com Sales Rank: 25140 Format:  CD Song Listing Disc 1 Song Title Sample 1. Jazzie B. Intro - Jazzie B. ~ Original Soundtrack 2. Mastablasta '98 - Wyclef Jean/Stevie Wonder ~ Original Soundtrack 3. Luv Me, Luv Me - Shaggy/Janet Jackson ~ Original Soundtrack 4. Beautiful - Mary J. Blige ~ Original Soundtrack 5. Never Say Never Again - K-Ci & JoJo ~ Original Soundtrack 6. Makes Me Sweat - Big Punisher/Beenie Man ~ Original Soundtrack 7. Your Home Is In My Heart (Stella's Love Theme) - Boyz II Men/Chante Moore ~ Original Soundtrack 8. Free Again - Soul II Soul ~ Original Soundtrack 9. Make My Body Hot - Diana King ~ Original Soundtrack 10. Art Of Seduction, The - Maxi Priest ~ Original Soundtrack 11. Let Me Have You - Me'Shell NdegeOcello ~ Original Soundtrack 12. Dance For Me - Kevin Ford/Rufus Blaq ~ Original Soundtrack 13. Escape To Jamaica - Lady Saw/Nadine Sutherland ~ Original Soundtrack 14. Jazzie's Groove - Jazzie B. ~ Original Soundtrack   Album Notes and Credits Notes & Personnel Info Personnel: Rufus Blaq (rap vocals). Liner Note Authors: Jimmy Jam; Terry Lewis. Unknown Contributor Role: Robert Kraft. Arrangers: Jimmy Jam; Terry Lewis. By the time they assembled the soundtrack for the film adaptation of Terry McMillan's acclaimed novel How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis were no longer the hippest names in urban soul, but they hadn't lost their groove. They still knew what worked and what didn't within the context of urban R&B, they could still write strong songs, and they had a keen eye for talent. All of which is a complicated way of saying that How Stella Got Her Groove Back is an exceptional soundtrack -- a well-constructed, consistently entertaining collection that manages to be cohesive despite its eclecticism. Or maybe, it's successful because of its diversity -- it's great to hear the music slyly shift from updated Soul II Soul grooves to reggae to hip-hop to urban ballads. Everything is tied together by a classy, stylish attitude and sultry production that makes even the weaker songs sound alluring. Boasting highlights from Stevie Wonder & Wyclef Jean, Shaggy & Janet, Mary J. Blige, Big Punisher & Beenie Man, Me'Shell NdegeOcello, Maxi Priest and K-Ci & JoJo, How Stella Got Her Groove Back comes close to matching the dazzling heights of Waiting to Exhale and Soul Food, and that's good company indeed. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine Executive Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have put together a soundtrack that not only features some interesting collaborations; it screams from top to bottom with good music. "Mastablasta '98" is a joint venture from Stevie Wonder & Wyclef Jean, "Luv Me, Luv Me" teams Janet Jackson with Shaggy and there's a Soul II Soul reunion with Caron Wheeler and Jazzie B. ("Free Again"). Among the solo artists included on this soundtrack are Mary J. Blige ("Beautiful,") Diana King ("Make My Body Hot") and Maxi Priest (The Art of Seduction"). In keeping with the "island theme" of the film, Jam & Lewis have filled the album out with urban textures and reggae/dancehall vibes. Some of the other notable tracks are by Big Punisher & Beenie Man ("Makes Me Sweat,") K-Ci & JoJo ("Never Say Never Again,") Me'Shell Ndegeocello ("Let Me Have You") and Kevin Ford featuring Rufus Blaq ("Dance For Me.") This soundtrack really encompasses the mood of the film with its sexual, sultry songs and deep urban grooves.   Technical Info Release Date : 08/11/1998 Original Release Date : 1998 Catalog ID : 11806 Label : MCA Records (USA) Number of Discs : 1 Studio/Live : Studio Mono/Stereo : Stereo SPAR Code : n/a UPC : 00008811180621   Professional Reviews Rap Pages (11/98, p.137) - 3 (out of 5) - "Potential platinum singles abound on Jam and Lewis's latest creation....the kind of stuff destined to rock nightclubs and dance halls..."    Product Image