It's hard to believe that collaborated with and the departed on some of the late 20th century's most hardcore hip-hop music. , of the renowned group , has his roots firmly placed in '70s R&B and soul music. , , and , among other bedroom music artists, all owe a bit of thanks to , the original slow jam crooners. The trio's sexiest and most sensual moments have been captured on , an ongoing series of CD collections of the same name on and . (Other sets for 2001 include recordings from .) And as far as thematic compilations go, this one is a winner. The 13 selected tracks on don't skip a beat, and the sexy boudoir fare remains consistent throughout the album's 70-plus minutes. There is a certain sensitivity inherent to 's falsetto voice that sets him apart from other singers in this category of music. It's a vulnerability and tenderness that , and others of the like, do not have. Such greats as are included on . The CD is a treasured example of the original bedroom music, and arguably more potent than its contemporary counterparts. No amount of pheromones, love potions, or "spells" can come close to the romantic rendezvous that is ' . Play this album at your own risk -- and expect to call in "sick" to the office the next day. [ reissued the album in 2008 with three bonus tracks.] ~ Liana Jonas