Original Soundtrack - Soul Food [Original Soundtrack] (CD)

All Music Guide

As the first release from Babyface's movie studio, Soul Food was an auspicious beginning a rich, multifaceted film that captured the complexities and emotions of a contemporary urban black family that never lapses into stereotypes. It was a minor gem, as is Babyface's soundtrack. Like his work on Waiting to Exhale, the soundtrack for Soul Food is a sampler of mainstream urban styles, featuring some ballads, some swingbeat, and some hiphop. It's all tied together by his gift for melodic, wellcrafted songs and production. Babyface is one of the few producers and songwriters who can function entirely on commercial terms and never seem crass. Nearly every track on Soul Food works, whether it's the hiphop mix of Blackstreet's "Call Me," Total's rap "What About Us," the urban soul of Dru Hill's "We're Not Making Love More" or Boyz II Men's epic ballad "A Song for Mama." The album tracks from Xscape, En Vogue, Tony Toni Tone, Milestone, and Lil' Kim Puff Daddy all meet the same high standar...ds, which means Soul Food is one of the best records in Babyface's catalog. - Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide Read more Less