The Very Best of Ronnie McNeir
is a collection of early-'90s era singles the Detroit-based singer/songwriter/keyboardist
Ronnie McNeir
recorded for U.K. dance producer
Ian Levine
's
Motorcity
label. Understandably, the material is, for the most part,
dance/club
-oriented and may leave
McNeir
's longtime fans longing for
ballads
in the vein of his
"I'm Your Lover."
Still, if taken on its own merit, this album is a welcome entry to the artist's catalog. The bouncy
"My Lucky Number"
is in the same vein as his work on another (South Carolina) beach music favorite,
Ruffin & Kendricks
'
"I Couldn't Believe It."
Another favorite is the snappy,
house
-tinged
"Take the First Step."
The snappy,
Motown
-ish
"I Dedicate My Love"
recalls
the Temptations
' 1965 Top Ten
R&B
/Top 20
pop
hit
"My Baby."
Other standouts are
"Don't Know If This Is Goodbye,"
"Can't Give You Up,"
"Keep on Giving Me Love,"
and the mid-tempo groover
"Wholeheartedly."
Though the title may have his fans wishing for a set made up of some of his
RCA
,
Prodigal
, and
Capitol
sides,
is a must-have. ~ Ed Hogan