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

Various Artists - Soundtracks - 1998, Various Artists - R&B/Soul

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 11, 1998)
• Original Release Date: August 11, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B000009QQL
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #79,736 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

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

Entertainment Weekly
...[T]his R&B/reggae-lite sampler feels like a wind-in-your-hair ride on a road you've been down before.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best R&B soundtrack since "Waiting to Exhale", August 19, 1998

By A Customer

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.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Worth It, August 26, 2003

By	Ms Muse "Music Connisseur" - See all my reviews

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.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Honestly...... (3 Stars), October 21, 2004

By	Norfeest "Yes Yes Y'all" (Washington DC USA) - See all my reviews

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