Search - Various Artists :: Showtime

You'd think that a movie starring Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy would be accompanied by a safe, little commercial soundtrack filled with middle-of-the-road selections, but Showtime is a pleasant surprise. The secret here is in the creative production. Mr. Loverman Shaggy and his Big Yard Records crew have put together a sophisticated mix of smooth R&B and reggae hybrids with a hip-hop edge--pop music for adults. The icy sound of Rude's lover's lament, "Why," is the flipside of Whitney Houston's smash hit "My Love Is Your Love," Shaggy's longtime partner Rayvon's "My Bad" is an infectious anti-gold digger anthem, and Bounty Killer's rude boy rant adds a "ram dance" touch to T.O.K.'s "Man Ah Bad Man." Shaggy himself contributes several cool songs, including the title track--a funky, '70s-style number featuring a limber vocal performance by Babyface. Showtime is a keeper. --Rebecca Levine