Babyface - A Collection of His Greatest Hits

As can be expected with a Babyface retrospective, the songs are top notch and the production is excellent. At his peak in the mid-'90s, Babyface was arguably the American music industry's hottest producer/songwriter. He also established himself as a top-rate balladeer, as evidenced by the songs on this selection. "Everytime I Close My Eyes," "Never Keeping Secrets," and "When Can I See You" are quintessential slow jam Babyface. His up-tempo numbers, such as "It's No Crime" and the Shalamar cover, "This Is for the Lover in You," are just as engaging. However, despite the inclusion of some of his best ballads and up-tempo hits, this album suffers from several glaring omissions, and leaves one hoping for a more complete product, or at least a second volume to complement what's lacking in this one. Glaring omissions include two hits from his Tender Lover album, those being "My Kinda Girl" and the title track. Incidentally, both those songs were remixed (and greatly improved) when released as singles, so their inclusion on this hits package would have been a huge bonus for the singer's fans. Other omissions include his hit duet with Pebbles, "Love Makes Things Happen," his hit duet with Toni Braxton, "Give U My Heart," early singles "Mary Mack" and "Lovers," later singles "And Our Feelings" and "Rock Bottom," as well as his har- to-find duet with Lisa Stansfield, "Dream Away," and his Top Ten hit with protégé Jon B., "Someone to Love." Omitting those songs in favor of non-hit album tracks such as "Soon as I Get Home" seems a tad bewildering. For completists, this collection is thoroughly lacking, but for the casual listener, it's a pleasure nonetheless. As a final note, two new songs are included, "When Men Grow Old" and "Reason for Breathing," as well as a live, unplugged version of a hit he wrote for Eric Clapton, "Change the World." ~ Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide

Name Credits Allan Lieberman Stylist Babyface Drum Programming, Guitar, Vocals, Producer, Guitar (Acoustic), Keyboards, Vocals (Background) Barney Perkins Mixing Beverly Crowder Vocals (Background) Bill Meyers Horn Arrangements, String Arrangements Bo Watson Keyboards Brad Gilderman Engineer Bryce Wilson Drum Programming Daryl Simmons Producer Dave Way Mixing David Rideau Engineer De Rock Percussion Don Sullivan Assistant Engineer Donald Parks Programming Eric Clapton Performer Gerald Albright Sax (Tenor) Greg Phillinganes Piano Howard Hewett Vocals (Background) Ian Evensar Design Ivy Skoff Production Coordination Jeffrey Daniels Vocals Jim "Z" Zumpano Engineer Jody Watley Vocals (Background) Joe Thomas Producer John "J.R." Robinson Drums John Frye Assistant Engineer John Guggenheim Assistant Engineer Jon Gass Mixing, Engineer Joshua Thompson Producer Keith Andes String Arrangements, Horn Arrangements Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds Executive Producer Kenny G Saxophone Kevin Roberson Guitar (Bass), Synthesizer Bass Kevon Edmonds Vocals (Background) Kyle Bess Mixing Assistant L.A. Reid Percussion, Producer, Drums, Drum Programming Larry Jackson Saxophone LL Cool J Producer Lori Fumar Assistant Engineer Lynn Linsey Vocals (Background) Marc Bennett Art Direction Marc Nelson Vocals (Background) Mariah Carey Vocals (Background), Vocal Arrangement Melvin Edmonds Vocals (Background) Michael Thompson Guitar Mike Scott Engineer Milton Chan Assistant Engineer Nathan East Bass Novak Art Direction Oscar Brashear Trumpet Paul Boutin Assistant Engineer Ramon Hervey II Executive Producer Randee Saint Nicholas Photography Ray Brown Trumpet Reggie C. Young Trombone Reggie Griffin Saxophone, Guitar, Vocals Rich Caughron Assistant Engineer Sarah Kushner Design Shanice Vocals (Background) Sheila E. Percussion Steve Hall Mastering Stevie Wonder Vocals (Background), Harmonica Thom Russo Engineer Tim Carter Hair Stylist Victor Joseph Make-Up Wayne Linsey Keyboards Zulma Iracheta Design