Jody Watley - Greatest Hits (CD)

All Music Guide

When Jody Watley was at the top of her game, she was truly a force to be reckoned with. Equipped with superior dancing skills, a keen sense of fashion, great looks, sultry vocals, and some of the catchiest pop/dance tunes of her time, Watley scored an impressive string of hit singles in the late '80s and early '90s. Unfortunately, her descent was just as dramatic as her success, and within a few years her hit parade completely stopped. This collection does a great job in compiling all of the singer's essential hits, and a few -- including "Don't You Want Me" and "Some Kind Of Lover" -- are included in their beefed-up single versions that weren't available on the original albums. Included here is the album-length version of her signature hit "Looking for a New Love," the unstoppable runaway smash "Real Love," the hip-hop club track "Friends" (which featured Eric B. Rakim), the ballad "Everything," and "I'm the One You Need" (albeit in its original album version as opposed to the single... mix). Minor hits, save for "Precious Love," also appear, including the guttural, bass-heavy dance hit "Still a Thrill," the jazzy, sophisticated "Your Love Keeps Working on Me" (which amazingly peaked at an embarrassing number 100), the RB cut "I Want You," and the pop track "Most of All." Her largely spoken-word single "When a Man Loves a Woman" is also included, but in remixed form -- the album version was much better. Finally, this compilation includes a sleek house remix of the album track "Ecstasy." For fans of late-'80s/early-'90s dance/pop/RB, this stellar collection of irresistible songs is a must, and for new fans it provides a perfect introduction and summary of Jody Watley at her peak (since this album's release, Watley scored another minor hit with "Off the Hook" from the album Flower). - Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide Read more Less