The "R." In R&B Collection Volume 1

by R. Kelly

Product Description:

Initial pressings of THE "R." IN R&B COLLECTION VOL. 1 included a bonus disc featuring "Bump N' Grind - (Old School mix)", "Down Low (Nobody Has To Know) - (Live To Regret It mix - Blame It On The Mo)", "I Can't Sleep Baby (If I) - (remix)", "Gotham City - (remix)", "If I Could Turn Back The Hands Of Time".

Personnel: R. Kelly (vocals, various instruments); Ronald Isley, Wyclef Jean, Celine Dion (vocals); Jay-Z, Boo, Gotti (rap vocals); Ernie Isley, Donnie Lyle (guitar); Bobby West, Rodney East, Jim Slattery (keyboards); Peter Mokran (programming); Joan Collaso, Cheryl Wilson (background vocals); Public Announcement.

Producers include: R. Kelly, Timmy Allen, Tone, Poke, Wyclef Jean.

Recorded between 1991 & 2003. Includes liner notes by Rob Marriott.

It should not be forgotten (and from the overwhelming sales of CHOCOLATE FACTORY, it clearly hasn't) that R. Kelly is the master of hip-hop-infused love songs, the sultriest of swinging R&B seducers of the 1990s and beyond. The Chi-town crooner scored two number one hits and absolutely ruled the R&B charts when he first popped up in 1992 with his brand of honey-coated love. All of his hits are present on THE "R." IN R&B COLLECTION VOL. 1, backed by five remixes on the limited-edition bonus disc, including a Delfonics-style reconfiguring of "Bump N' Grind."

Kelly's greatest charm lies in his overt sexuality, coming right out with "Sex Me," or saying he can't see "nothing wrong with a little bump n' grind," ever flashing a coy smile. However, he truly cemented himself as a superstar when he recorded the inspirational (and chaste) "I Believe I Can Fly" for the Michael Jordan-with-cartoons movie, SPACE JAM, and followed that trick up with a number one duet with Celine Dion. Kelly has the most bewitching tenor and the ability to commandingly wrap it around any song, and this greatest-hits package is the perfect reminder of that talent.