What ever happened to the soundtrack?
You know, the movie soundtrack.
Soundtracks used to be glorious, compilation albums featuring all your fave artists with songs you loved, new tracks to match & classics as well. Now a days soundtrack success seems to only be limited to musical movies or the teeny bopper department - the Disney crew & I can't truly vibe with Miley, HSM kids (High School Musical) or the Cheetah chicks all day.
I want that old thing back.
As an ode to the soundtrack I wanted to point out some of my personal faves, from tracks to whole soundtrack albums.
Clap clap bravo.
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New Jack City; "I'm Dreamin" - Christopher Williams.
This is one of my favorite movies, I remember screaming getting it on VHS as a bday gift (yes VHS) & yes i was old enough to handle the movie, anyhow, I love this song. Christopher, who also co-starred in the movie (Kareem Akbar), commanded attention from the start of the song - you know the 90s start lyrics shout before the beat drop thang, he also completely fit the 90s lightskin pretty boy persona as well. Ice T's "New Jack Hustler", "New Jack City" - Guy, & "I Wanna Sex You Up" - Color Me Badd also hold weight on the soundtrack, good ish.
Above The Rim; "Regulate" - Warren G. & Nate Dogg
Who doesn't know this song? Featuring a smooth sample from Michael McDonald, a young Warren G rapped while Nate Dogg added his iconic voice to the hook - RIP. The Above the Rim soundtrack also features "Anything" by SWV which is also a fave & the cassette version of this soundtrack featured 2Pac's "Pain" which on its own is amazing, heard at the start of the film.
Juice, "Uptown Anthem" - Naughty By Nature
After seeing that typical old skool freeze frame movie cut of Q (Omar Epps) who could forget this playing while the credits rolled. Naughty By Nature gave Jersey status in terms of the rap game & who wouldn't wanna "break, bash, roll or smash" after hearing this. This still bumps. Besides "Uptown Anthem", EMPD's " "Juice (Know the Ledge)" is also a notable track from the Juice soundtrack.
Boomerang, "Love Shoulda Brought You Home" - Toni Braxton
Remember when Halle Berry told Eddie Murphy "Love shoulda brought your ass home last night!"? Well Toni channeled her pain alongside melody with this song. Babyface & LaFace Records ruled during the 90s, & as the soundtracks producer he used some of his top artists (TLC, Toni) to be featured.. "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men - that breakup song that makes you shed a tear - is also on this soundtrack.
Waiting to Exhale - 1995
Aretha, Patti, Chaka, Whitney, Mary on one album? Need I say more. This soundtrack, also a product of Arista/LaFace & Babyface, was epic. Whitney had everyone saying "shoop", Brandy had us mimicking her by slappin their hip in the mirror like she did in the "Sittin Up in My Room" video & Toni told us to "Let It Flow". I remember my grandma had this soundtrack, as a youngie I'd always sneak it into her cd player for a listen.
Purple Rain - 1984
Though this is Prince's album based on the movie & not the typical soundtrack, this still deserves a shoutout on this list. "Darling Nikki", "I Would Die 4 U", "When Doves Cry", "PURPLE RAIN"! Im done.
This Christmas - 2007
Ok, YES I know SURPRISED? Well come over to the mi casa after Thanksgiving & my fam plays this album over & over. I think I know it in & out. Though it has a the cheesey additive of B2K's version of "Jingle Bells", its a good soundtrack - the only one from the '00's I care for - that doubles as a Christmas album. Plus it has one of my all time fave Christmas songs "Sleigh Bellz" by TLC.
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I have a few more but I'll save those for another post, I know your track'd out - lol.
What are some of your favorite movie tunes and/or soundtracks?
xo.
