20

Recording information: Bosstown Recording Studios, Atlant, GA; Carrington House Studio, Atlanta, GA; D.A.R.P Studios, Atlant, GA; Doppler Studios; Marley Marl's Hous of Hits, New York, NY; O Henry Sound Studios, Burbank, CA; Studio LaCoCo; Tracken Place, Los Angeles, CA.
Illustrator: Derek Gores.
Photographer: Arnold Turner.
The sticker on the front of TLC 20 proclaims "Music inspired by VH1's film CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story," which is neither actual nor factual. With the exception of one new song, "Meant to Be" -- a pleasant ballad co-written by Ne-Yo -- these songs were released during the early '90s through the early 2000s, long before the film was conceived. Keke Palmer, who portrayed Chilli, wasn't born until over a year after the release of Ooooooohhh...On the TLC Tip. Regardless, this set is a decent introduction to one of the biggest pop groups of the '90s. Released a week ahead of the film's premiere, it features all nine of the group's Hot 100 Top Ten singles, from 1992's "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" through 1999's "Unpretty," along with a handful of relatively minor hits, album cuts, and the new song. It could have gone deeper -- as deep as the 19-track Now & Forever: The Hits (2003), at least. There's much more to enjoy beyond what's here. The group made three of the best '90s pop-R&B albums, and 2002's 3D was no embarrassment. ~ Andy Kellman