It's difficult to remember that Bobby Brown had a strong presence on the charts some dozen years ago. Say what you will about Brown (his run-ins with the law, his stormy marriage to Whitney), the truth of the matter is, this brutha had some slammin' jams back in the day. Bobby Brown benefited from the New Jack Swing craze more than any other artist, thanks to his collaborations mainly with Teddy Riley and Babyface. His signature hit "My Preoragtive," the ballad "Roni," and the catchy "Two Can Play That Game" show Brown in top form. True, he's not a very good singer, but he makes the most of what he has, and he does it well. Brown hasn't made so much of a ripple for much of the 1990s, but this great hits collection is a reminder of those glory years when he ruled the charts.

Most of Bobby Brown's catalogue is now in the bargain bin, so I would suggest getting the Don't Be Cruel and Bobby albums.

While not a first-rate singer, Brown's talent came in his complete abandon when in the role of lead singer, or dancer, or rapper. With an LL Cool J-like confidence Brown uses his distinctive but limited voice to carry some of the best R&B tunes of his time: "Don't Be Cruel", "Roni", "My Prerogative" and his best song, "Every Little Step", with its brilliant groove and intoxicating keyboard sound. I can also think back to his music videos, which showcased his ferocious, streetsmart dance and choreography, and "Every Little Step" ranks with Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" and Janet Jackson's "Miss You Much" as dance-video classics.

Though Teddy Riley got the credit for New Jack Swing, L.A. Reid and Babyface were not to be discredited for Don't Be Cruel: Listening to their terrific songwriting and arrangements from this album made me forget Babyface's more recent, formulaic efforts. Even their work on the Bobby album had its merits, such as the twistily sexy yet sardonic melody on the verse of "Humpin' Around".

But though this collection rounds up many of Brown's most popular titles, it commits the sin of collecting the singles mixes rather than the far superior album versions. "On Our Own" in its longer version on the Ghostbusters II soundtrack was much better, "Don't Be Cruel" is missing the haunting vocal chants (which were called "Cruel Prelude" on the original album and also woven into the last parts of the album track), and the wonderful second verse of "Every Little Step" is omitted in this single version. They even deleted Brown's rap from the bridge of this version and, while the song is still marvelous, it is inferior to even the version on Brown's dance-remix album (all the rage around 1989) Dance...Ya Know It!

Now, don't get me wrong, the tunes still sound terrific. But I definitely wouldn't call these definitive, or even representative, versions of Brown's songs.

at his best. Really, it's that song "She Ain't Worth It" on here that shows just how hot Bobby was back then - he was brought in to cameo with Glen Medieros, and his presence alone on that song made it a hit during the summer of 1990.

No male Pop/R&B singer since Bobby has been able to reach the same level of stardom (i.e. Usher, Ginuwine, Sisqo, Tyrese) but they've come pretty darn close...Usher coming the closest, followed by Sisqo. At any rate, if you're nostalgic (or like Amy Linden said, you don't already own 'Don't Be Cruel' ) then by all means, get this...

Yours, Andrew Knyte

P.S. And you can't get "She Ain't Worth It" anywhere else - it's long out of print...

This complation is B.Brown at his best.All of his hits are on here till homeboy started trippin. I highly recommned this CD for any NE fan.

I don't think about his recent problems--I'd rather listen to his music. This greatest hits album just shows Bobby Brown at his best! A lot of the songs are so funky--Don't Be Cruel, Every Little Step, Humpin Around, That's the Way Love Is(funkiest of Bobby's songs),My Prerogative, Get Away, She Ain't Worth It--that you will be already sweat after the funky beats end. He had some nice ballads in Roni and Rock Wit'Cha and Girlfriend. And I liked his duet with Whitney Houston on the danceable Something in Common. Brown's bad boy persona just matched well to the heavy funk of his music. Strong energy for much of the CD's 63 minutes!!!!!