Customer Reviews

How Stella Got Her Groove Back Soundtrack: Music From The Motion Picture

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

It misses more than it hits (6 out of 14 songs are good). There are some terrible songs on this album, but there quite a few songs on this album that are actually very tight tracks. "Beautiful" is a vintage Mary J Blige track. Though she has a bunch of albums, this is probably one of my most favorite songs from her. And then there is the appearance of Soul II Soul on this album with "Free Again". I love Soul II Soul and was amped when I saw they were on this album, and they didn't let me down either. It has that classic "Keep On Movin" vibe to it (maaannnnnnn I really really miss that era in music). I guess it's the least they could do after the disappearing act they pulled a while back. Speaking of disappearing acts, Maxi Priest contributes the wonderful and aptly titled "The Art Of Seduction". Boyz II Men and Chante' Moore help the soundtrack out a ton with the beautiful "Your Home Is In My Heart (Stella's Love Theme)". Jazzie B departs from his Soull II Soul cronies to drop the hot "Jazzie's Groove". And Meshell Ndegeocello contributes the gorgeous "Let Me Have You". Why do people continue to sleep on her music? "Comfort Woman" is one of the most slept on albums of this young millenium. Back to the soundtrack though, it really isn't that bad.

The rest of the tracks on this album are one of two things: awful or cheesy. I have to say that Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis accomplished something that I never ever thought I'd see in my lifetime.....they managed to produce a incredibly horrible Stevie Wonder song (with assistance from the horribly off key Wyclef Jean). K-Ci & Jo Jo almost did okay on their song (thanks to Jo Jo), but I can only stand K-Ci's screaming of his lyrics or his shouting "yeah yeah yeah" for short periods of time. Lady Saw....well......let's just say that after hearing this song, I now understand why she never blew up in the U.S. like she was supposed to. I'll leave it at that. Janet Jackson does her best to save the no-talent reggae abuser known as Shaggy on "Luv Me, Luv Me", but eventually Shaggy's lack of talent becomes the dominating element of the song. That song is just plain annoying. Kevin Ford and Rufus Blaq quickly struck out with the VERY boring "Dance For Me". Even the usually reliable and consistent Beenie Man and the ultra tight Big Pun lay an egg on their duet.

Basically, the soundtrack sounds thrown together (I know, it's a soundtrack, so it probably was). There are enough bricks on this album to pave a small driveway. Like I said, this album misses a lot. But when it does hit, it hits hard. The good songs are so good that they make this album worth the money. If you can find this used, then it's probably worth the money, but I wouldn't reccomend buying this brand new.

Standout Tracks: Beautiful - Mary J. Blige, Jazzie's Groove - Jazzie B., The Art Of Seduction - Maxi Priest (My Favorite), Free Again - Soul II Soul, Your Home Is In My Heart - Boyz II Men & Chante Moore, and Make My Body Hot - Diana King

Does anyone know the name of the song that is on when Stella visits Whoopie Goldbergs character in the hospital and they dance?

I truly loved the CD and the movie. The jazz tracks were definitely smooth, and the hip-hop tracks were nice also. However, I would also llike to know what happened to the song by Oleta Adams from the funeral service. That song really touched me. For weeks, I couldn't get it out of my head. I searched and searched for that album but couldn't find it any where. I, too, knew that Oleta was the voice behind the lyrics but to this day, cannot find that song track. Please tell me where I can find this song. It should have been on the album. It is my favorite.

LUV ME, LUV ME, BY SHAGGY & janet is the only good song, in my opinion. Maybe you should just get the single.

Since my favorite song, "Love Never Forgets" ( sung by Oleta Adams during the funeral scene) was blatantly left off this CD, all I really want to know is where to find it. It doesn't appear on any of Ms. Adam's CD's either. Does anyone know?

I loved the movie and that includes the music. However, my favorite song and by far the best song from the movie isn't even on the CD. What were they thinking when they left off Oleta Adams and Brenda Russell! UNBELIEVABLE

I enjoyed this CD very much. Being a lover of music myself, I enjoyed the different styles of music on this CD. From reggae,r&b, romantic etc. Well done. Ms Johnson

This is the third copy of this CD that I have purchased since it first came out in 1998, because I play them until they wear out. It is one of my alltime favorites and never fails to set the mood of a lively tropic vacation. This is a CD that you will play straight through because there aren't any bad tracks, just great ones.