The sticker on the front of
TLC 20
proclaims "Music inspired by VH1's film CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story," which is neither actual nor factual. With the exception of one new song, "Meant to Be" -- a pleasant ballad co-written by
Ne-Yo
-- these songs were released during the early '90s through the early 2000s, long before the film was conceived.
Keke Palmer
, who portrayed
Chilli
, wasn't born until over a year after the release of
Ooooooohhh...On the TLC Tip
. Regardless, this set is a decent introduction to one of the biggest pop groups of the '90s. Released a week ahead of the film's premiere, it features all nine of the group's Hot 100 Top Ten singles, from 1992's "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" through 1999's "Unpretty," along with a handful of relatively minor hits, album cuts, and the new song. It could have gone deeper -- as deep as the 19-track
Now & Forever: The Hits
(2003), at least. There's much more to enjoy beyond what's here. The group made three of the best '90s pop-R&B albums, and 2002's
3D
was no embarrassment. ~ Andy Kellman