****
Any CD featuring both the Bugster and Air Jordan on its cover is bound to sell - regardless of song content.
But fortunately, the 14 cuts on this Warner Sunset soundtrack are of such distinct quality that regardless of whether you put Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson or Tito Jackson on the front cover, the album would still deservedly sell like hotcakes.
R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" is an Absolut example of how sweet the R&B side of this soundtrack really is. And he's not alone in delivering vocal punch. Monica's voice has definitely matured, and her ballad, "For You I Will," showcases her still-growing talent excellently.
Also, one mustn't overlook All-4-One's "I Turn to You." Sounding a great deal like MJ (Jackson, not Jordan) on this song, these guys' vocal harmony is something to behold.
Giving us a little taste of that ol' school bizness, D'Angelo (whose '94 album, "Brown Suger" remains one of the best albums of the decade) brings us "I Found My Smile Again." His signature voice - as distinctive among today's singers as Al Green's was in years past - is as smooth as they come. Meanwhile, bad-boy baritone Barry White is joined by high-pitched crazy boy Chris Rock on "Basketball Jones." Honestly, however, Rock's zany comments, like "Where the hell is En Vogue?" and "(to Jordan) I hope you go bald," stole the show from White.
On the flip side, the hip-hop portion of this album isn't quite as strong, although the premier song, "Hit 'Em High," is all that. Featuring the collaborative efforts of B Real, Busta Rhymes, Coolio, LL Cool J and Method Man, this Monster's Anthem is one of the freshest cuts on the "Space Jam" soundtrack.
The "That's the Way" Spin Doctors / Biz Markie duet is, ah ... interesting at best. Coolio does a decent job with "The Winner," but he's never struck me as a strong lyricist. So his undying appeal ever since "Fantastic Voyage" still has me searching for answers. Still, I expect him to fade on that MC Hammer tip any day now.
Also fading fast is Salt-N-Pepa. And continuing their string of weak singles, they release a rap remix of "Upside Down," for which the title "Twisted All the Hell up" would have been better.
Lastly, you can't turn this CD off without listening to Bugs Bunny himself rapping on "Buggin'." Parodying the all-too-often-fake-"I'm da mack" attitude rappers often exude, Bugs shows how stupid many of these unnecessary boasts sound. Out of the mouths of bunnies.
- Eugene Bowen
I must confess to having a weakness for Bad Company. Everybody has one or two guilty musical pleasures: A Menudo tune here, a Thompson Twins song that raises the hackles on the back of your neck.
Bad Company is my deadly sin. I like them, the lovable little cheese balls. And what prevents this album from being a total waste of aluminum is the material. The record consists of previously unreleased material and reworks of old tunes, with the spirit of the old performance styles in mind. If you like Bad Company - indeed if you have a horrible little passion for the genre - you'll like this record.
"Ready For Love" is just like you remember it, dripping with stylized licks and breathy vocals: A song to play while "getting it on" in the back of a Camaro with a girl named "Stormee." "Shooting Star," the homage to life wasted by the rock 'n' roll industry is as good as it ever was, with occasional poetic moments, some actual, genuine emotion.
The real gem is the retooling of "Can't Get Enough." Done as down-home country stomper, complete with faux gospel back-up vocals (read: white girl) and a stripped-down trap set, the effect is something like the feeling you have after you eat an entire box of chocolates or screw your neighbor's wife. You know you shouldn't have enjoyed it so much, but you did, and would very much like to do it again.
But the rest of it lacks that same pure, corny fire. "Oh Atlanta" showcases some minimalistic guitar work and a simple pulse, but the rest of the songs are neither entertaining in their predictability nor interesting in their innovation. For Bad Company fans only, but if you already happen to be a convert, you'll dig it.
- James Miller
Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny love to groove to the "Space Jam" soundtrack.
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