Cynics tend to dismiss remix albums as cheap exploitation and opportunism on the part of labels. But when the remixing is handled by inventive DJs, they definitely have their pleasures.
Dance!...Ya Know It!, obviously fueled by MCA Records' desire to cash in on the enormous success of
Bobby Brown's
Don't Be Cruel, is neither one of the better nor one of the worst remix albums available. While the primary focus is material from
Cruel -- including the hard and rugged new jack swing of "My Prerogative" and "Don't Be Cruel" and the vulnerable romanticism of "Roni," "Every Little Step," and "Rock Wit' Cha" --
Brown's debut solo album,
King of Stage, is represented by remixes of "Seventeen," "Girl Next Door," and "Baby, I Wanna Tell You Something." Much of the remixing is done by hit R&B producers
L.A. Reid and
Babyface, who are far from adventurous and fail to add anything really new, interesting, or significant to the songs. Though an enjoyable release and one that works well enough as a best-of,
Dance!...Ya Know It! is hardly essential listening for those who already own
Stage and
Cruel. ~ Alex Henderson