"Take A Bow," the second single from
Madonna's
Bedtime Stories album, and her most successful collaboration with Babyface, spent seven weeks perched atop the U.S. pop charts, resulting in her biggest American hit, even though it failed to crack the Top Ten overseas. The maxi-single was issued with five tracks -- two being new remixes, two being instrumentals, and one being the album version. The first remix, the "In Da Soul" mix, gives the ballad a funkier, more urban feel without losing its integrity, and the results are delightful. The fifth mix, the "Silky Soul Mix," is a little more quiet storm and melancholy than the first, yet sounds just as good -- and fortunately, neither of these two mixes sound dated. Both versions flow effortlessly, with the music suiting the vocals just fine, resulting in smooth, elegant pop/R&B. Armed with two strong, albeit somewhat forgotten remixes, this single makes for a worthwhile and pleasant listening experience. ~ Jose Promis