Brandy Album: “Best of Brandy”

Although Brandy was only in her mid-teens when her debut album was issued in 1994, there was something relatively mature about her voice that set her above and beyond most others in her age range. A decade later THE BEST OF BRANDY collects as many of her key cuts that can fit on a single CD, and serves as the Brandy album to own for those who want the highlights (fans will no doubt want to keep the original albums, though). With a couple of exceptions, the tracks are presented in chronological order, and the earlier tracks clearly benefit from fresh remastering.

It's indicative of how big a splash she made on the pop scene in the mid-1990s that more than half of this anthology covers only the period from her first to her second album (1994-1998), and it's a tribute to the producers and songwriters that these are generally the most memorable cuts. They include four key tracks from her 1994 self-titled debut, the WAITING TO EXHALE cut "Sittin' Up In My Room," a cover version of "Rock With You" lifted off a Quincy Jones album, and six (!) from 1998's NEVER SAY NEVER.

After that her voice continued to mature, and this set lifts (only) two tracks each from 2002's FULL MOON and 2004's AFRODISIAC. While the tracks selected here from those CDs are worth repeated listens, one starts wondering if her career is on the verge of settling into a depersonalized procession of dial-a-producer, dial-a-rapper cuts. Granted not everyone has the talent to write personal songs, but I hope in the future her music will find a way to reveal more of herself. If nothing else, the nice soulful version of Phil Collins' "Another Day In Paradise" included here suggests she has a lot of options available to place her voice in varied contexts. No matter what happens in the future, THE BEST OF BRANDY is a solid collection that lives up to its name.

I was very happy with the selection of Brandy songs that were put on this album. All of these songs are my absolute favorites from Brandy. They all show her growth and her range from the first single "Baby" to her most current work "Afrodisiac". This is one of the best "greatest hits" or "best of" albums that I have purchased in a while. Some of my favorites on this CD are "Baby", "Best Friend", "I Wanna Be Down", "Angel In Disguise", "Sittin Up In My Room", "Talk About Our Love", and "Almost Doesn't Count". I recommend this album for any Brandy fan or R&B fan. BKLYNBABYLON signing off...

There is no song called "He Is" on this album. And "Sittin' up in my room" is on this album but is not on this list.

The Album is great!!!!! I love both songs that were remade: Rock With You and Paradise. They were great.

I love me some Brandy Rayanna Norwood. I don't know there is something about the chick that keeps me wanting more and more. She is so beautiful, talented and just incredibly hot!!! I am so pleased with this compilation from her. My favorites include Angel In Disguise, Full Moon, Another Day In Paradise wiv the fine Ray-J, ECT. As you listen to each song you can really appreciate her growth over the years both artistically and vocally.

Upon listening to the album people should finally stop hating on her, and understand that she is only human and she deals with the same insecurities and problems that we all face. She is a living Legend in the R&B genre and the industry would never be the same without her. I'm so happy that she has bounced back from the disappointing sales of her last album (the amazing "Afrodisiac" *see my review) and is still going. It's okay Bran Bran, we all know you were going through a lot of shiznit last year. Please go cop this album it's totally hot . Keep going B-Rocka do yo thang, we love you girl!!!!

I love this album. Brandy is great and very talented. I didn't enter a fifth star, becuase Sitting Up In My Room isn't on here. That would have made this absolutely the best. All the other songs are great though and you'll love this.