James Ingram - The Greatest Hits: Power of Great Music

I know I'm only 26 years old, but I grew up listening to some of Quincy Jones' and James Ingram's finest works on the radio.

The Power of Great Music says it all!! Keep up the excellent work, JI!!!!

*- Even if you're the most loyal fan, you don't deserve this album
**-If you've got money to burn, buy this CD or else,...just copy the songs
***-Need something to add in your CD collection?
****-Fans from this artist's music genre would enjoy this
*****- a CLASSIC.

Decades before the popularity of talented R&B artists like Usher, Brian McKnight and R. Kelly, there was the legendary singer-musician-composer James Ingram. Yes folks, if you remember, James Ingram was one of the few old skool R&B crooners being nominated in the Grammy's not just once, nor twice, but at least FIVE times. Wow!...And why not? The former keyboardist for Revelation Funk is well-respected for his strong vocal chords and intense versatility. Actually, I was only a toddler when Sir James was creating his best hits so I only appreciated this awesome collection in 1998.

This greatest hits CD is a sure hit to love/ballad fans. Although this album is packed with James' gorgeous love songs, there are a couple of songs which shifts to pop-blues-r&b, such as "Yah Mo B There" (with Michael McDonald), "Whatever We Imagine" and the funky "Baby Come To Me" with Patti Austin.

"Where Did My Heart Go?" is the first song of the CD which opens a beautiful orchestra-esque introduction by Producer Thom Bell. The musical production is way spectacular. To say Thom Bell is a musical genius is certainly an understatement. There are three tracks in the album which feature three famous balladeers during the 1980's- Patti Austin, Linda Ronstadt and Michael McDonald. The first duet in the album is "How Do You Keep The Music Playing?" with celebrated singer, Patti Austin. Emotional and impressive, the enthralling voices of the two companions exchange delightfully in this second track. The memorable piano introduction opens for "Just Once", which gave James two Grammy Nominations in 1981. "Just Once" has to be James Ingram at his best in his younger days when he showed his true potentials as a singer. "Somewhere Out There" provides a free ticket down to memory lane as James and Linda Ronstadt sing together the theme song of Steven Spielberg's film, "An American Tail." Though it is quite short, both of the renowned singers share the spotlight in this 1986 classic. My all-time favorite ballad track has to be "I Don't Have The Heart". Unlike the other hits, it does not have a complex musical quality because James' talents alone shine in this song. BTW, this was also produced by Thom Bell who arranged a short but unforgettable strings accompaniment after the second chorus. Well-talented Quincy Jones produced seven cuts for this collection including "There's No Easy Way", "Just Once" and the jazz-influenced "One Hundred Ways". Speaking of Quincy Jones, he also produced "Baby Come to Me", which turned out to be a great collaboration with Patti Austin. The '80-ish electronic drum beats starts for the Michael McDonald duet, "Yah Mo B There". When I first heard this song, I had a hard time identifying who sang this or that line. I learned that Michael's voice came in more raspy while James was the more soulful one. "Whatever We Imagine" ends this great CD with a catchy title-line. The lyrics aren't too deep and the music is a far-cry from Thom Bell's produced tracks but heck, just leave this song to James and rest assured it would still sound like a masterwork.

Truly, this is a wonderful best hits album (even if "What About Me?" wasn't included). I recommend this album to all r&b slow jam fans, especially people my age (I'm in my late teens). This CD comprises a bundle of love songs but I'm certain that they're not cheesy enough to make you feel like a romantic desperado. This is a rare treat from this r&b legend and I will really, really feel sorry for you if you will not recognize a James Ingram classic.