Martin Lawrence's comedy/action film serves as the frame for this various artists album of contemporary R&B. Realizing its potential, Epic released the lead-off track, red-hot Jay-Z's "Girl's Best Friend," as a single months ahead of the album's (not to mention the film's) release and saw it soar up the charts. But equally chart-worthy were Tyreese's "Criminal Mind," with a guest appearance by
Heavy D, and the
Rodney Jerkins composition/production "Damn (Should've Treated U Right)," by
So Plush featuring
Ja Rule. Jerkins also gave a contemporary sound to veteran
Keith Sweat, combining with
Da Brat on "I Put You On." Sweat himself did a guest turn on the
Steve Huff production "All Eyes On Me," a feminist rap by Strings, which featured a prominent sample of
Rick James's "Cold Blooded." Much of the rest of the disc was filler, of course, but there were enough tracks with timely sounds to suggest that this soundtrack could succeed in record stores however the film played in theaters, especially with names like Jay-Z and Jerkins in the credits. ~ William Ruhlmann