Various Artists - R&B: From Doo Wop to Hip Hop

To commemorate the end of the century, Sony Music assembled the gargantuan 26-disc box set Sony Music 100 Years: Soundtrack for a Century. The title was imposing, as was the idea behind it -- to chronicle the life of the oldest record label in the music industry. To be clear, Sony Music has not existed for 100 years, but the heart of its catalog, Columbia Records, was founded early in the 20th century. Sony acquired Columbia and its various subsidiaries in the late '80s, purchasing one of the richest catalogs in pop history, as the box set proves again and again. Sony realized that most consumers wouldn't invest in a 26-disc box, no matter how impressive it was, so they simultaneously released a series of 12 genre-specific double-disc sets that culled highlights from the box. That left two discs exclusive to the box, which was appropriate, since anyone who spends over $300 on an album deserves a little bonus. As it turns out, the double-disc sets are every bit as impressive as the big box, perhaps more so, because they're easily digestible. Even so, the scope of the 39-track R&B: From Doo Wop to Hip Hop is impressive. Columbia and its subsidiaries had some good R&B acts in the late '50s and early '60s, but they didn't really catch fire until the late '60s, when Sly & the Family Stone came aboard; before that, they didn't know quite what to do with gigantic talents like Aretha Franklin. By the '90s, Columbia/Epic/Philadelphia International, etc. had produced no shortage of classics, as this set proves: "It's Your Thing," "Back Stabbers," "Me and Mrs. Jones," "Best of My Love," "Got to Be Real," "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," "Sexual Healing," "I Can't Live Without My Radio," "Bring the Noise," "Jump," "Fantasy," "Fu-Gee-La." There are some major omissions, not only in artists but in styles -- strangely, more so than in any of the other sets in this series -- but it still gives a good idea of the progression of R&B to soul to funk to disco to urban to hip-hop. And it has some great, great music along the way. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits (Ex) Cat Heads Bass Al Casamenti Guitar Al Gorgoni Guitar Al McKay Guitar (Rhythm) Alan Friedman Drums, Programming Alan Robinson French Horn Alan Shulman Cello Alex Moseley Keyboards Anthony Sophos Cello Aretha Franklin Vocals, Performer Arnold Levine Art Direction Augie Johnson Vocals (Background) Babyface Vocals (Background), Vocals, Keyboards, Producer, Performer Bashiri Johnson Conga Bernard Eighenbaum Violin Big Maybelle Performer, Vocals Billy Block Editorial Director Billy Byers Trombone Billy Paul Vocals, Performer Bizzy Bone Vocals (Background), Vocals Bobby Eli Guitar Bobby Martin Arranger Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Performer Brenda White Vocals (Background) Brian George Drums Bud Johnson Sax (Tenor) Buddy Lucas Sax (Alto) C+C Music Factory Performer Carl Ryder Producer Charles Holloway Vocals Charles Pitts Guitar Charles Stepney Synthesizer, Piano, Arranger, Programming, Producer Charles Veal Strings Charlie Sarrica Graphic Design Cheryl Lynn Vocals, Performer, Vocals (Background) Christopher Ottaunick Photography Chuck Findley Trumpet Chuck Willis Performer Cissy Houston Vocals (Background) Clarence McDonald Clavinet Claude Trenier Vocals (Background) Claytoven Richardson Vocals (Background) Cliff Trenier Vocals (Background) Craig Derry Vocals (Background) Crusher Bennett Percussion Curtis Bedeau Keyboards Curtis Pope Trumpet Cynthia Robinson Trumpet Danny Clinch Photography Darren Salmieri Copy Coordination Daryl Simmons Producer Dave Hall Producer, Arranger Dave Shields Bass David "Panama" Francis Drums David Cole Vocals (Background), Producer, Keyboards David Hudson Vocals David J Vocals (Background) David Katzenstein Cover Photo, Back Cover David L. Newman Violin David Martin Piano David Paich Keyboards, Arranger, Producer David Soyer Cello David Van De Pitte Arranger Deborah Cooper Vocals (Background) Dennis Harris Guitar Dianne Spoto Shattuck Marketing DJ U-Neek Producer Don Davis Arranger Don Hill Sax (Alto) Don Hunstein Photography Don Myrick Saxophone Don Renaldo Strings, Horn Donna Davis Vocals (Background) Duran Ramos Vocals (Background) Earth, Wind & Fire Arranger, Performer Ed Moore Gut String Banjo Eddie Cerchoine Tape Research Eddie LeVert Vocals (Background) Edward Thomas Guitar El Toro Negro Piano (Electric) Eric "Vietnam" Sadler Programming Erik Ryding Research Ernie Hayes Piano Ernie Isley Bass Everett Collection Photography Felix Giglio Violin Flavor Flav Treble Fred Mirza Synthesizer Arrangements Freddie Stone Vocals, Guitar Full Force Performer, Producer Gary Chester Drums Gary Grant Trumpet Gene Gilbeaux Piano George Bohannon Trombone George Duvivier Bass George Patterson Saxophone George Wadenius Guitar Gerald Alston Vocals Gerald Early Essay Gerald Vinci Concert Master Gerry Charles Vocals (Background) Ginuwine Vocals, Vocals (Background) Glen Goines Guitar Gordon Banks Vocals (Background), Guitar Greg Errico Drums Greg Lord Photography Greg Phillinganes Rhythm Arrangements, Piano (Electric) Hank Shocklee Producer, Programming Harold Bernstein Conductor, Arranger Harold Melvin Performer, Vocals (Background) Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes Performer Harry Glickman Violin Harry Urbont Violin Harvey Fuqua Production Advisor, Vocals (Background) Haywood Henry Sax (Baritone) Herb Lovelle Drums Herb Rooney Piano Ilene Bellovin Photo Research Itaal Production Assistant Jack Faith Saxophone Jackie Jackson Vocals (Background) James Gadson Drums James Mtume Vocals (Background), Keyboards, Vocals Janet Boye Art Direction Jeanette Hutchinson Vocals (Background) Jenny Friel Photo Research Jermaine Dupri Programming, Producer Jerome Richardson Sax (Alto) Jerry Cummings Vocals (Background) Jerry Hey Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Horn Jerry Martini Saxophone Jerry Thomas Tape Research Jim Gilstrap Vocals (Background) Jim Hinger Vocals (Background) Jimmy Lenner, Jr. Photography Jimmy Ricks Bass (Vocal) Jimmy Shirley Guitar Joe Nicolo Programming Joel Staniszewski Photography John "J.R." Robinson Drums John Jackson Research John Mosley Saxophone John Naatjes Research Johnnie Taylor Performer, Vocals Johnny Graham Guitar Judy Emerson Tape Research Judy Thomas Research Junior Clarke Keyboards Kandi Burruss Vocals (Background), Vocals Kathryn King Editorial Production Kelly Price Vocals (Background) Ken Kelly Tenor (Vocal) Kenny Gamble Producer Kevin Bass Vocals (Background) Kim Hutchcroft Flute, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor) Kitty Beethoven Vocals (Background) Krayzie Bone Vocals, Vocals (Background) Kris Kross Performer L.A. Reid Producer Lady G. Vocals (Background) Larry Dunn Keyboards, Piano (Electric), Fender Rhodes Larry Graham Vocals, Bass Larry Jackson Saxophone Larry Washington Percussion LaTocha Scott Vocals (Background), Vocals Laura Lee Spence Research Lawrence Brown Vocals (Background) Layzie Bone Vocals, Vocals (Background) Lenny Pakula Organ Leo Sacks Discography, Compilation Producer Leon Huff Piano, Producer Leonard Puzey Tenor (Vocal) Lisa Lisa Vocals (Background), Performer, Vocals LL Cool J Performer, Vocals Lloyd Trotman Bass Lori Berkowitz Photo Research Lou George Vocals (Background) Louis Gabowitz Violin Louis Heyward Baritone (Vocal) Louis Johnson Bass Luther Vandross Vocals, Vocals (Background), Performer, Rhythm Arrangements, Producer Maithe Marshall Tenor (Vocal) Manuel Lecuona Vocals (Background) Manuel Seal, Jr. Producer Marc Brown Violin Marc Kirkeby Research Marcus Miller Bass Marguerite Hisen Marketing Mariah Carey Arranger, Vocals, Performer, Vocals (Background), Producer Marlo Henderson Guitar Marni Elliott Marketing Martha Wash Vocals (Background) Marty Paich Producer, Arranger Marvin Gaye Synthesizer, Organ, Drums, Orchestra Bells, Producer, Vocals, Arranger, Performer, Fender Rhodes, Glockenspiel Maxwell Voices, Performer Melisa Kary Vocals (Background) Michael Brooks Research Michael Forman Bass Michael Hughes Rap Michael Jackson Producer, Vocals, Rhythm Arrangements, Vocals (Background), Percussion Arrangement, Performer Michael Ochs Archives Photography Michelle Cobbs Vocals (Background) Mickey Baker Guitar Milt Trenier Vocals (Background) Minnie Riperton Vocals, Performer Mortonette Jenkins Vocals (Background) Musze Producer Narada Michael Walden Arranger, Producer Nas Vocals, Performer Nat Adderley Keyboards, Rhythm Arrangements Nat Brewster Research Norman Harris Guitar O'Kelly Isley Vocals (Background) Oscar Brashear Flugelhorn, Trumpet Pamela Vincent Vocals (Background) Patti Matheny Project Coordinator Paul George Programming Paul Gershman Violin Paul Riser Horn, Strings Paulette McWilliams Vocals (Rhythm) Paulinho Da Costa Percussion Pete Rock Producer Philip Bailey Vocals (Background) Philip Field Vocals (Background), Keyboards Pony Performer Professor Griff Voices Public Enemy Performer Quincy Jones Arranger, Producer, Conductor Randall Martin Label Design Randy Jackson Vocals (Background), Percussion Ray Parker, Jr. Guitar Raymond Jackson Vocals (Background), Bass Regina Belle Performer, Vocals Richard Bivins Tenor (Vocal) Richard Dickler Viola Richard Heath Percussion Richard Perissi French Horn Richard Rudolph Guitar Richard Taylor Baritone (Vocal) Rick Day Photography Ricky Crespo Keyboards Robert Clivillés Vocals (Background), Producer, Keyboard Arrangements, Percussion, Drums Robert Eaton Vocal Arrangement Robert Mersey Conductor, Arranger, Producer Roland Chambers Guitar Ron Juliano Graphic Design Ron Kersey Keyboards Ronald Isley Vocals Ronnie Baker Bass Rose Mann Vocals (Background) Rose Stone Piano Rosemary Mulligan Marketing Roy Hamilton Vocals, Performer Rudolph Isley Vocals (Background) Salaam Remi Producer Sandy Lorenzo Marketing Screamin' Jay Hawkins Vocals, Performer Sean "Puffy" Combs Remixing Shawn King Photography Sheila Hutchinson Vocals Sidney Brecher Viola Sidney Muldrow French Horn Skyler Jett Vocals (Background) Sly & the Family Stone Performer Steve Madaio Trumpet Steven Berkowitz Executive Producer Stuart Matthewman Producer Sybil Thomas Vocals (Background) Sylvester "Sly Stone" Stewart Guitar, Keyboards, Producer, Arranger, Vocals Tamika Scott Vocals, Vocals (Background) Tawatha Agee Vocals (Background), Percussion Ted Cooper Producer Teddy Pendergrass Vocals Teena Marie Vocals, Vocal Arrangement, Performer, Vocals (Background), Synthesizer Arrangements, Rhythm Arrangements, Producer Telma Hopkins Vocals (Background) Terminator X Leader The Detroit Horns Horn The Emotions Performer The Fugees Performer The Isley Brothers Producer, Performer The Jackson 5 Performer The Manhattans Performer The O'Jays Performer The Ravens Performer The Royals Performer The Treniers Performer Theodore Cohen Vibraphone Thom Bell Arranger Timbaland Producer Tina McCarthy Research Tito Jackson Vocals (Background) Tom Tom 84 Arranger Trip Boyd Vocals (Background) Victoria Clamp Vocals (Background) Vince Montana Vibraphone Vincent DeRosa French Horn Wah Wah Watson Production Assistant Walt Bass Vocals (Background) Walter Afanasieff Synthesizer Arrangements, Drum Programming, Bass, Keyboards Walter Jackson Performer Walter Spriggs Bongos Wanda Hutchinson Vocals (Background) William Powell Vocals (Background) William Reichenbach Trombone Willie Collins Bass Winfred "Blue" Lovett Bass (Vocal) Wish Bone Vocals, Vocals (Background) Woody Johnson Drums Wyclef Jean Vocals (Background), Vocals Xscape Performer Yolanda Lee Vocals (Background) Yvonne Lewis Vocals (Background) Zelma David Vocals (Background)