A Collection of His Greatest Hits

by Babyface

Overview

As can be expected with a Babyface retrospective, the songs are top notch and the production is excellent. At his peak in the mid-'90s, Babyface was arguably the American music industry's hottest producer/songwriter. He also established himself as a top-rate balladeer, as evidenced by the songs on this selection. "Everytime I Close My Eyes," "Never Keeping Secrets," and "When Can I See You" are quintessential slow jam Babyface. His up-tempo numbers, such as "It's No Crime" and the Shalamar cover, "This Is for the Lover in You," are just as engaging. However, despite the inclusion of some of his best ballads and up-tempo hits, this album suffers from several glaring omissions, and leaves one hoping for a more complete product, or at least a second volume to complement what's lacking in this one. Glaring omissions include two hits from his Tender Lover album, those being "My Kinda Girl" and the title track. Incidentally, both those songs were remixed (and greatly improved) when released as singles, so their inclusion on this hits package would have been a huge bonus for the singer's fans. Other omissions include his hit duet with Pebbles, "Love Makes Things Happen," his hit duet with Toni Braxton, "Give U My Heart," early singles "Mary Mack" and "Lovers," later singles "And Our Feelings" and "Rock Bottom," as well as his har- to-find duet with Lisa Stansfield, "Dream Away," and his Top Ten hit with protege Jon B., "Someone to Love." Omitting those songs in favor of non-hit album tracks such as "Soon as I Get Home" seems a tad bewildering. For completists, this collection is thoroughly lacking, but for the casual listener, it's a pleasure nonetheless. As a final note, two new songs are included, "When Men Grow Old" and "Reason for Breathing," as well as a live, unplugged version of a hit he wrote for Eric Clapton, "Change the World." ~ Jose F. Promis

Product Details

Release Date:	11/14/2000
Label:	Bmg / Sony Music
UPC:	0888430562820

Tracks

1. For the Cool in You
2. It's No Crime
3. Whip Appeal
4. Never Keeping Secrets
5. Every Time I Close My Eyes
6. When Can I See You
7. Reason for Breathing
8. This Is for the Lover in You
9. How Come, How Long
10. Change the World [T.V.]
11. I Love You Babe
12. Soon as I Get Home
13. Where Will You Go
14. When Men Grow Old

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Babyface   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Howard Hewett   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background)
Kenny G   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Saxophone
Stevie Wonder   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Harmonica,Vocals (Background)
Eric Clapton   Primary Artist,Guest Artist
Jeffrey Daniel   Primary Artist,Vocals
LL Cool J   Primary Artist,Guest Artist
Jody Watley   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background)
John "J.R." Robinson   Drums
Sheila E.   Percussion
Bo Watson   Keyboards
Beverly Crowder   Vocals (Background)
Melvin Edmonds   Vocals (Background)
Oscar Brashear   Trumpet
Reggie Griffin   Guitar,Vocals,Saxophone
Michael Thompson   Guitar
Gerald Albright   Sax (Tenor)
Marc Nelson   Vocals (Background)
Kevon Edmonds   Vocals (Background)
L.A. Reid   Drums,Percussion
Greg Phillinganes   Piano
Wayne Linsey   Keyboards
Mariah Carey   Vocals (Background)
Nathan East   Bass
Ray Brown   Trumpet
Shanice   Vocals (Background)
Lynn Linsey   Vocals (Background)
Kevin Roberson   Guitar (Bass),Synthesizer Bass
Reggie C. Young   Trombone
Larry Jackson   Saxophone
De Rock   Percussion

Technical Credits

Paul Boutin   Assistant Engineer
Babyface   Composer,Producer,Drum Programming
Rich Caughron   Assistant Engineer
Keith Andes   Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
Mike Scott   Engineer
Gordon Kennedy   Composer
John Frye   Assistant Engineer
Daryl Simmons   Composer,Producer
Thom Russo   Engineer
Tim Carter   Hair Stylist
Brad Gilderman   Engineer
Tommy Sims   Composer
Stevie Wonder   Composer
Dave Way   Mixing
Bryce Wilson   Drum Programming
Allan Lieberman   Stylist
Kenneth Edmonds   Executive Producer
Bill Meyers   Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
LL Cool J   Producer
Joe   Composer
Barney Perkins   Mixing
L.A. Reid   Composer,Producer,Drum Programming
Eric Clapton   Performer
Don Sullivan   Assistant Engineer
Wayne Kirkpatrick   Composer
Joshua Thompson   Composer,Producer
Jon Gass   Mixing,Engineer
Mariah Carey   Vocal Arrangement
Howard Hewett   Composer
Perri Reid   Composer
Jim "Z" Zumpano   Engineer
Steve Hall   Mastering
Novak   Art Direction
David Rideau   Engineer
Ivy Skoff   Production Coordination
Kyle Bess   Mixing Assistant
John Guggenheim   Assistant Engineer
Ramon Hervey II   Executive Producer
Milton Chan   Assistant Engineer
Marc Bennett   Art Direction
Zulma Iracheta   Design
Dana Meyers   Composer
Randee Saint Nicholas   Photography
Victor Joseph   Make-Up
Ian Evensar   Design
Sarah Kushner   Design
Donald Parks   Programming
Lori Fumar   Assistant Engineer
Warren Wilson   Composer
Joe Thomas   Producer
Scott Andrews   Composer