One of the greatest moments ever from Willie Hutch – and one of the greatest blacksploitation soundtracks too! Willie really knocks it out of the park with this one – and sounds funkier and heavier than on all of his other studio albums – with a deep sound that really matches the legendary spirit of the film – which itself was one of the more gritty, down to earth movies of the genre! The film's virtually a handbook for junior grade hoods – one that had surprising pull over the years, especially with the first wave of 90s gangsta hip hop – and the record's filled with classics that have gotten plenty of play over the years because of that influence, but which sound even better here in their original context. Titles include "Brothers Gonna Work It Out", "Vampin", "Mack Man", "I Choose You", "Theme Of The Mack", "Mack's Stroll/The Getaway", and "Slick". (Soul, Soundtracks) CD

The classic soundtrack to Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing – lead, of course, by Public Enemy's "Fight The Power" – and beyond that is a pretty wonderful, and not always as intense cross-section of some of the finer urban soul and New Jack Swing, circa '89, breezy vocal-centric R&B, a touch of Latin and Afro-Carribbean pop. The Bed-Stuy melting pot bubbles over to tragic consequences in the film, but the diverse soundtrack is plenty harmonious, and sounds fresh to this day. Includes "My Fantasy" by Teddy Riley featuring Guy, "Never Explain Love" by Al Jarreau, "Party Hearty" by EU, "Tu Y Yo" by Ruben Blades, "Can't Stand It" by Steel Pulse and "Don't Shoot Me" by Take 6. (Hip Hop, Soundtracks) CD