Released in 1997, after
Babyface became one of the most popular and successful producers in pop music,
Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds & Manchild is a career-spanning compilation that covers all three albums by the '70s soul outfit. The group had only one hit -- "Especially for You" in 1977 -- and, listening to this 17-track collection, it's easy to see why: they weren't very good.
Manchild was certainly competent, and on a few songs
Babyface suggests that he had the talent he eventually developed, but only diehard fans of the contemporary soul man -- or fans of vocalist Reggie Griffin, who later launched a solo career -- will need to explore this collection. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine