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How Stella Got Her Groove Back Soundtrack: Music From The Motion Picture
Various Artists - Soundtracks
How Stella Got Her Groove Back Soundtrack: Music From The Motion Picture
Genres: Pop, R&B, Soundtracks
 
  •  Track Listings (14) - Disc #1

Let's see. The book and film incarnations of How Stella Got Her Groove Back concern an African American woman who reignites her passion during a trip to the Caribbean. So, of course, the movie's soundtrack album effects a ...  more »

     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: Various Artists - Soundtracks
Title: How Stella Got Her Groove Back Soundtrack: Music From The Motion Picture
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 3
Label: Mca
Original Release Date: 8/11/1998
Release Date: 8/11/1998
Album Type: Soundtrack
Genres: Pop, R&B, Soundtracks
Style: Soul
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 008811180621

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Let's see. The book and film incarnations of How Stella Got Her Groove Back concern an African American woman who reignites her passion during a trip to the Caribbean. So, of course, the movie's soundtrack album effects a match of U.S. R&B and hip-hop stars and globetrotting reggae crossover royalty. Unfortunately, it's the kind of merger that works better on paper, as they say, than in the grooves. Rapper Big Punisher and dancehall superstar Beenie Man, toasting and singing over an INXS sample on "Makes Me Sweat," are amusing; however, the rest of the CD is more often marked by dreary balladry (K-Ci & Jo-Jo's "Never Say Never Again") and other irrelevancies. Worst of all is "Mastablasta '98," for which Stevie Wonder and Wyclef Jean somehow decided it would be a good idea to dump the original's deep-dish skank in favor of a generically "up to date" Jeep-beat thump. Hey, guys: come home to Jamaica, already. --Rickey Wright

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Member CD Reviews

Toni G. (ToniG) from WATERFORD, CT
Reviewed on 8/16/2006...
Great arrangements by great R&B artists

CD Reviews

Not Worth It
Ms Muse | 08/26/2003
(2 out of 5 stars)

"The song from the funeral is not on the album. I have searched for it for years. It is sung by Oleta Adams. I contacted her management company to find out how to get this song. I did get a response back that this song was not released. It was only :30 seconds of music that was recorded and they asked Oleta to sing on it. I think we need to start a writing/email campaign to FlyteTyme Productions and have them release this song. It is so beautiful and should not have been left out. Obviously it's a classic since folks are still talking about it 5 YEARS LATER."
The best R&B soundtrack since "Waiting to Exhale"
Ms Muse | 08/19/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have not only fashioned the perfect soundtrack for a steamy love story set in Jamaica, but they've also given us all the perfect mood-setting CD...the uptempo numbers beg to be played at your next party, and the ballads make you want to plan your next candlelit dinner for two. On the party side, Stevie Wonder and Wyclef Jean serve up a spicy remake of Stevie's classic "Mastablaster," Diana King provides a sweaty workout with "Make My Body Hot," and Shaggy lays his irresistible reggae stylings over a hip-hop beat and throws in Janet Jackson singing the classic "Ooh Boy" chorus ("Ooh, boy I love you so/never ever ever gonna let you go/once I get my hands on you") to create the perfect party tune. For the romantic in you, Mary J. Blige seduces with "Beautiful," Maxi Priest works his usual magic on "The Art of Seduction," and Boyz II Men invite sultry-voiced Chante Moore to join them on the wistful "Your Home is in My Heart." But the album's true revelation is the return of Soul II Soul, complete with original vocalist Caron Wheeler (who was responsible for the group's biggest hits, "Keep on Movin" and "Back to Life," being so irresistible). On the track "Free Again," they mesh a classic Soul II Soul lyric and melody (not to mention the group's trademark strings) with classic Jam & Lewis chords and productions, giving us a thicker than thick beat and lush soul progressions reminiscent of Jam & Lewis' glory days with Cherrelle and Alexander O'Neal, when their work was more known for its musical merits and stylish production rather than Janet Jackson's latest sexual fancy. There are a couple of dispensible moments, such as Big Punisher & Beenie Man's oversexual, underwritten "Makes Me Sweat" and only true reggae fans will enjoy Lady Saw's "Escape to Jamaica," but moments like Me'Shell Ndegeocello finally dropping her spoken-word stylings and seductively singing "Let Me Have You" make minor missteps forgivable. This is the finest soundtrack of original R&B material ever since Babyface seduced us with "Waiting to Exhale" in 1995. This album not only shows you how Stella got her groove back, but invites you to find your own as well."