Customer Reviews

Madea's Family Reunion

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For the most part, I am a music fan who tends to disregard or ignore soundtrack releases. Soundtracks tend to be merely average in a number of cases and are easy to disregard. However, occasionally there is that soundtrack that is better than average. Tyler Perry's MADEA'S FAMILY REUNION soundtrack is a cut above the rest providing a brief but great mix of jazz, hip-hop, gospel, and smooth silky R&B.

Brian McKnight brings his smooth soul power on the opening track "Find Myself In You". It is the usual Brian McKnight performance that shows off the greatness of the unfairly fading McKnight (his last two albums have missed the 500,000 mark where album sales are concerned which is unfortunate). One can't help but to feel the groove of the beautiful mid-tempo R&B tune.

In a surprise hit, LL Cool J raps over a sample with the help of the powerhouse gospel duo Mary Mary. An initial listen may say to the listener that this is just an average track, but upon continual listen, you begin to feel the groove and begin to feel that passion of LL's rhymes and the soulfulness of sisters Mary Mary.

"Everyday (Family Reunion)" is a nice ensemble track featuring contributed vocals by Yolanda Adams, Chaka Khan, Gerald LeVert, and Carl Thomas. Perhaps the highlight track and the instant attention getter is the contribution by long lost R&B vocalist Johnny Gill who provides perhaps the star performance on the smooth, soulful "You For Me (The Wedding Song)". Gill shows that it is time for the Luther Vandross motivated singers to return with the quiet-storm approach of R&B. True, it isn't the best or most memorable R&B performance of the year, but it is definitely a great performance.

Kem shows off his smooth, throwback vocals on "Tonight", while Chaka Khan shows her sultry nature on "Keep Your Head Up". The vintage soul classic "Love and Happiness" is include here and adds a nice soulful touch to the album. Will Downing and Rachelle Ferrell also contribute smooth, soulful, if not truly extroardinary performances.

While in no ways is this soundtrack "the second coming" or the perfect album, it is definitely one of the best soundtracks released this year accompanying one of the best movie releases of the year. 4 stars.

If you enjoyed the movie Madea's Family Reunion you may want to go out and pick up the album's soundtrack. The soundtrack is a nice blend of old and new. The 10 track compilation brings together old school and new school. New R&B singer Kem brings the track "Tonight," to the set. Brian McKnight opens up the album with the song "Find Myself In You." The classic Al Green song "Love and Happiness" is featured on the soundtrack as is the super group song "Everyday (Family Reunion)." This song brings together Chaka Kahn, Carl Thomas, Gerald Levert, and Yolanda Adams. Gerald's father is also included on the set as The O'Jays song "Family Reunion" is featured on the set. The Madea's Family Reunion Soundtrack didn't get too deep into hip-hop, or as my son says, "they didn't rap it up." The only hip-hop star featured on the set is LL Cool J who is featured on the song "We're Gonna Make It," along with gospel duo Mary Mary. Overall, it's a nice compilation of songs that you could play at your own family reunion or anytime you want to listen to some nice music.

...I'm pretty disappointed that the song that the lady in the restaurant was singing. Given she only had a small part, but her voice was beautiful and the song she was sing was too smooth. After doing a little research, I was able to pull up very little information on her. Her name is Philipa Williams and the song she was perfoming was 'Look In the Mirror'. Had this song been on the soundtrack, I would have definitely given it 5 stars.

This song does it for me...the soundtrack is awesome, but Bryan McKnight is off the hook with this song, I can listen to this song over and over again....BUY THIS CD....
"GONNA TRY TO KEEP MYSELF TOGETHER TILL I FIND MYSELF IN YOU"
absolutely beautiful....

This is a good soundtrack which compliments the movie very well... The songs remind you of various scenes that will keep the movie on your mind.
Brian McKnight has the first track which is a smooth groove with a Marvin Gaye type sound. LL Cool J and Mary Mary have a son called, "We're Gonna Make It" that is very postive and uplifting which reminds us that LL is still the reigning King of Rap. Chaka Khan does "Keep Your Head Up" which opens the movie and reminds us to keep our hearts free and heads clear to make good judgements. She sounds so good on this track and it flows naturally like old times. Kem has a duet which is HOT called "Tonight" and they are harmonizing til the end. The various artist track is called "Everyday" which is about the Family Reunion. Al Green does "Love & Happiness" which reminds me of the Grits scene. Now when I seen Johnny Gill in the movie singing the Wedding Song called "You for Me" my heart dropped and the tears started to flow. This is truly a beautiful song and I have missed Johnny. The O'Jays also brought some old school to the soundtrack and Will Downing & Rachelle Ferrell have tracks as well. Overall, this is good music that warms the heart and soul while reminding us that we can laugh and enjoy a movie and music without volience.

Johnny Gill singing "You For Me" makes this cd worth the money. This has got to be the best wedding song of the year! The beautiful ending of this song is that jazzy, smooth, Johnny Gill that I love the best. If you haven't heard this song, you owe it to yourself to enjoy this classic, romantic performance by one of our all-time greatest R&B crooners!!!

Brian McKnight does a Marvin Gaye sounding vocal on "Find Myself in You" that is one of his most enjoyable vocals in a while. I don't care much for the lyrics, but his vocals carry the song.

Chaka Khan's performance on "Keep Your Head Up" is a softer, gentler Chaka and works very, very well with the great concept and lyrics of this song.

Not too thrilled with the rest of the CD, but still worth the price of the cd since they aren't doing a single for Johnny Gill's song and it, alone, is worth my money!!!

This is an amazing soundtrack full of all my favourite singers. From Brian McKnight's stunning song, Find Myself In You to Johnny Gill's also stunner You For Me (The Wedding Song) and and Kem's Tonight. It was also cool to hear a couple of classics like Al Green and the O'Jays here. All songs on here are standouts and it's a true R&B fans fantasy to have all these guys on the one disc. It's hard to pick a favourite song or artist from this group and I highly highly recommend this. It's so good - a really great soundtrack from a funny funny movie.

After having unbridled success on the chitlin circuit with his gospel plays, Tyler Perry mustered up enough money, confidence, and admiration to bring his funny yet dramatic theater productions to the silver screen. After the successful debut run of Diary Of A Mad Black Woman, Perry released his second film Madea's Family Reunion with just as many accolades being hailed by fans and critics as the first movie. With this new platform, it only makes sense to compile a soundtrack that was just as dynamic. So with the Madea's Family Reunion soundtrack, Tyler Perry handpicked some of the best old school jams as well as some of the biggest names in today's Rap, R&B, and Gospel music arenas.

Brian McKnight busts out on the song "Find Myself In You," a bopper's cut that will have many listeners will compare to the late great Marvin Gaye. LL Cool J pairs off with gospel superstars Mary Mary for "We're Gonna Make It," a track that is as powerful and invigorating as an A&B selection at church. Chaka Khan keeps the inspirational flow going with "Keep Your Head Up." Kem gives us his signature sound with a rousing duet with the virtual unknown songstress Marissa Rose on the song "Tonight" (It took a little time, but I was able to find more on Marissa Rose at the following website).

The all-star ensemble of Chaka Khan, Gerald Levert, Yolanda Adams, and Carl Thomas belt out "Everyday (Family Reunion)" while Johnny Gill gives us yet another ballad with "You For Me (The Wedding Song). Will Downing steps out of his comfort zone for the danceable "I'll Be" while Rachelle Ferrell shows out as usual on "Wounds In The Way." The album comes full circle with the classic sounds of The O'Jays "Family Reunion" and Al Green's "Love and Happiness." Being one of the better soundtracks in recent memory, Madea's Family Reunion is truly songs inspired from the movie and not just a slapped-together mess like most of the offerings of the last decade or so.

Wow! Rachelle Ferrell Really out did herself with this song.The music is easy to listen to, although you have to listen to it a couple of times to catch the lyrics and the full meaning. I was quit moved.Her voice is extremely soulful,a real songbird.I love it.She is an outstanding singer.Her spirituality really came through.A real kindred spirit you think? This was the best song on the album for me.Wounds do get in the way.

I was upset to not be able to find any information on Philipa Williams. I love the song "Look in the mirror" and was sorry that it was not on the soundtrack. Although the soundtrack was nice I was left hanging looking for more. Where can I find this song??????????????????