The Compass November, 1999 5
ENTERtAINMENT
T
Music from “The Best Man” is Best Bet
it hurts.
Without a doubt though, the
crown jewel of the soundtrack is the
duet featuring Lauryn Hill and the
late Bob Marley-"Turn Your Lights
Down Low." Marley's classic
Reggae track gets reinvented by his
son Stephen Marley into a beautiful
updated version that gets blessed by
the accompaniment of the seemingly
untouchable Lauryn Hill. Ms. Hill
displays her singing ability while
trading verses with Marley, but then
she takes the song to another level
by reciting one of rap music's most
heartfelt verses ever recorded.
"The Best Man" soundtrack is full
of hits, but there are also a few miss
es strategically placed throughout
the collection. Sygnature's vocals
shine on "Wherever You Go," but
the lyrics and melody are only
mediocre. The same is true for
Latocha Scott on "Liar, Liar," and
unless you just caught your man
cheating or think all men are dogs,
the song has little appeal. Allure's
seductive "When the Shades Go
Down" would be 100 percent better
/| A TVT
FKfffl rrn:
ViOTKB PJ€TS1!K
^ AXWE ,
t
0 H'S IVaL W U VR
r
I
r
SWYONC!-;
KJ,„
TVKBK,
i-AmsKv^Ns
EiaCBENCT
LATOClMi SCOTT
L.mwMiM';
SrORTV rHIEVZ
without the bridge, and She'kspere's
extravagant stutter-step beat (think
Timbaland throwaway) on Faith
Evans' "Best Man" seems almost
unpatterned and greatly detracts
from the song.
Though there are some flaws in
the soundtrack, "The Best Man"
soundtrack is overwhelmingly
pleasing, and at its best is a reaffir
mation that high quality, mid-tempo
Rhythm and Blues continues to be
produced. Hopefully this sound
track will serve as a springboard for
a resurgence of first-rate R&B, but
for now, just go get a copy and enjoy
it.
By Michael Fournier
A & E Editor
The names of the almighty dollar,
music and motion pictures have
been forced to join together through
out the 1990's, the idea is good, but
usually, either the film or the sound
track is trash, and most of the time
the songs have absolutely nothing to
do with the movie.
However, "The Best Man" sound
track (Columbia Records/Sony
Music Soundtrax) brings a refresh
ing change to the world of movie
soundtracks. The 14 song collection
is compiled of hot Hip-Hop and
R&B tracks that will surely please
the most discerning musical ears.
And yes, the songs actually relate to
the movie!"What You Want," the
first single off the soundtrack, com
bines Philly's finest-The Roots-and
new artist Jaguar. This cut is getting
a lot of play on the radio and in the
clubs. The album's other Hip-Hop
song, "Hit it Up," is from those
pigeon-flockin' Sporty Thievz. A
smattering of cowbells leads into the
Thievz' trademark 'Uh-Oh,' and
another tale of the Sporty life
follows.
The rest of "The Best Man" sound
track is a rhythmic journey guided
Photo courtesy of Columbia/Sony Music
by many of the leaders of the 'new
soul' through that thing called love.
Maxwell's "Let's Not Play the
Game," the more sophisticated
second single, is a plead for honesty
and commitment in relationships.
Maxwell returns later in the sound
track with the thoughtful "As My
Girl," in which he encourages his
lover to greatness while exposing a
touch of male insecurity. In one of
the best efforts on the soundtrack,
"Poetry Girl," Eric Benet discovers
his soul in the thoughts and poems
of a newfound love. Although it
may be too long for radio play, the
romantic narrative-style lyrics and
enchanting Latin undertone will get
this one plenty of playtime in the
house and car. Ginuwine, R.L.,
Tyrese, and Case, collaborate on
"The Best Man I Can Be," an inspira
tional prompt to men and to broth
ers to help each other through life.
Other highlights on this sound
track include newcomers Beyonce
and Marc Nelson's serenade after
having had a rocky courtship on
"After All is Said and Done"; Mr.
Sensitive, a.k.a. Kenny Lattimore,
sings to a "Beautiful Girl"; and the
improvised , . sound of Me'shell
N'degeocpllo's "Untitled" is so funky
Elizabeth City State University is ...
Accounting
Art
Biology
Business Administration
Business Education
Cliemistry
Compreliensive Business Ed.
Computer/Inform. Science
Criminal Justice
Elementary Education
English
Geology
History
Industrial Technology
Mathematics
Music
Music Industry Studies
Physics
Physical Education/Health
Political Science
Psychology
Social Work Curriculum
Sociology
Special Education (K-12)
Technology Education
... and Many More
Concentrations
and Minors
Preparing leaders for
the next millennium!
. Jk4
LetECSU
prepare you
For more information,
please contact
The Office of Admissions & Recruitment
Elizabeth City State University
I Elizabeth City, North Carolina 27909
ToU Free 1-800-347-ECSU
Tel. (252) 335-3305
http: / / www.ecsu.edu
Elizabeth City State University is a constituent
instituton of The University of North Carolina
and is committed to equality of educational
opportunity and does not discriminate against
students or employees based on race, color,
national origin, religion, gender, age or disability.