Playlist: The Very Best of R. Kelly

What R. Kelly's catalog needed in 2010 was a straightforward two-disc anthology of hits, or a sequel to The R. in R&B Collection. Instead, it got an installment in the quirky Playlist: The Very Best Of series. Like most of the other volumes, this has a misleading subtitle, as it is aimed at hardcore and casual fans alike. It's not thorough with the smash hits, though the likes of "I Believe I Can Fly," "Ignition (Remix)," "Step in the Name of Love (Remix)," and "Happy People" are included. Followers who have all the proper albums might see the cover of the disc and figure it's not for them, but non-album singles released prior to 2009's Untitled -- "I Believe" and "Hair Braider" -- appear on compact disc for the first time, and the "Old School Mix" of "Bump N' Grind" is necessary for those who didn't pick up the Bump `N Grind single or The R. in R&B Collection, Vol. 1. As usual, this Playlist disc has no-nonsense, eco-friendly packaging and a PDF file containing the full liner notes and photos. ~ Andy Kellman