Released at the same time as its sister release,
Totally Hip Hop,
Totally R&B follows a similar path, basing itself on recent chart hits that are heavy on early-2003 chart entries. Again, it's this kind of compilation that's geared toward radio listeners and video-program watchers who don't go to the record store each week to stay up on all the new full-length releases. It's also a good way for those out of the loop to get back in, since it focuses on significant hits from within a rather specific time frame. Although the disc won't be as timely in a few years, it'll still function as a time capsule for the period it covers. Key tracks include
Alicia Keys' "A Woman's Worth,"
Angie Stone's "Brotha,"
Nivea's "Laundromat,"
Tyrese's "How You Gonna Act Like That,"
Luther Vandross' "I'd Rather,"
Kenny Lattimore and
Chanté Moore's "Things That Lovers Do,"
R. Kelly's "Ignition," and
Jaheim's "Put That Woman First." As a look at the smoother, more contemporary sounds of the R&B/hip-hop chart,
Totally R&B functions as a fine summation. ~ Andy Kellman