Remix Collection

Personnel: Boyz II Men (vocals, programming); LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Brandy Norwood, Method Man, Treach, Craig Mack, Nakia Keith (vocals); Track Masters (various instruments); L. McFarland (guitar); Bob Robinson, I. Dupee (keyboards); Tim Kelley (keyboards, drums); B. Mays (keyboards, programming); Colin Wolfe (bass); Rick Sheppard (samples, programming); R. Patterson, Fred Jenkins, Aaron Campbell (programming); DJ Sol Mesiah (scratches); Sheree Ford Payne (background vocals).
Producers: Red Hot Lover Tone (track 1); Dallas Austin, Boyz II Men (track 2); Tim & Bob (track 3); Babyface (tracks 4, 11); Tim & Bob, Boyz II Men (tracks 5, 10); Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis (track 6); Dallas Austin (tracks 7-8); Keith Crouch, Kipper Jones (track 9).
Engineers: Jim "Jiff" Hinger (track 1); Leslie Brathwaite (tracks 2, 5); Darin Prindle, Tim Kelley, Bob Robinson (track 3); Darin Prindle (track 4); Dave Way, Dennis Mitchell (track 7); Brian Smith, Jim "Jiff" Hinger (track 10); I. Dupee, R. Robinson (track 11).
Samples include "Mona Lisa" (as performed by Slick Rick), "Don't Change Your Love" (as performed by The Five Steps) and "The Lady in My Life" (as performed by Michael Jackson).
Motown released Boyz II Men's The Remix Collection at a time when they were enjoying unprecedented success. However, this album was not endorsed by the Boyz themselves, so it quickly disappeared from the shelves and has become something of an obscurity. The album definitely paints a different picture of the balladeering Boyz: nearly all the songs on this set are up-tempo, in stark contrast to the lush, harmonious ballads that made this Philadelphia quartet a worldwide phenomenon. Included here is a jazzy remix of their album cut "Under Pressure," and another jazzy track, the sparse single "I'll Remember," which is only available on this album. The remix of "Vibin" barely features the Boyz at all -- it's basically a hip-hop cut featuring rap stars Treach, Craig Mack, Busta Rhymes, and Method Man. This album also features the single edit of "Hey Lover," which was originally credited to LL Cool J, but was actually a duet between the prolific rapper and the four guys from Philly. The remix of "Uhh Ahh" falls somewhere between the original and its sequel, and the remixes of "I'll Make Love to You" (which is done as a waltz) and "On Bended Knee" seem a little underdeveloped. Highlights include the smoothed-out remix of "Water Runs Dry," which brings R. Kelly to mind, and the rich, relaxed version of "Motownphilly." Finally, this album includes a bass-heavy remix of "Brokenhearted," which was a hit credited to Brandy featuring guest vocals from Boyz II Men member Wanya Morris (although on this album it's credited as Wanya Morris with Brandy). This album is not necessarily for fans of the softer side of the Boyz, but it's definitely an interesting oddity with a few goodies tucked inside. ~ Jose F. Promis