BET grooves its way into music stores

Reviewed By SCOTT SWINDELLS
Collegian Staff Writer

Laid back. Relaxing. Loungin'.

If you find yourself frequently doing any of the above, BET Best of Planet Groove may be just what you're looking for to enhance the mood while you, well, chill.

The compilation compact disc was released Tuesday by Fully Loaded Records and features many of the most frequently played slow jams on the music video network BET.

The album starts off with "I Get Lonely," by the artist formerly known as Janet Jackson. On this hip, beat-driven ballad she goes simply by the name Janet, having recently dropped her last name (wouldn't you?).

The second song is Mariah Carey's "Breakdown," one of the pop diva's latest efforts to enjoy massive airplay on the major music video networks. In this track, she ventures into the realm of Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone, two members of the speed-rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and she adapts their fast style of rhyme incantation in the verses, combining it with great octave-spanning harmonies in the catchy refrain.

With well-known artists like Mary J. Blige, Boyz II Men and Montell Jordan, it is really not necessary to describe most of these popular hits in an album review. Instead, I'll offer a few recommendations for when you should listen to this CD if you choose to buy it.

Don't listen to it on a long car trip or to get psyched up before participating in a football game or wrestling match.

But the disc is good background music, perfect for a laid-back party or social gathering. Listen to BET Best of Planet Groove while lounging, but don't - repeat, do not - attempt to wow your pals on the dance floor with this CD.

The album inspires head bopping and finger snapping, but it also may evoke a little finger pushing to skip the songs that get on your nerves - whether they have been overplayed or are just a little too simple and redundant.

Among the highlights are a live recording of Erykah Badu's "Tyrone," complete with vocal improvisation and some crowd interaction, and a remix of "No Guarantee" by Chico featuring Joe.

The album also features "Let's Ride" by Montell Jordan with Silkk 'The Shocker' and Master P, who offers a rapped verse and several repetitions of his favorite word, "uuuuuggghhh." Popular hits "I Can Love You" by Mary J. Blige, featuring Lil' Kim, and "Anytime" by Brian McKnight, are balanced by lesser played jams "They Don't Know" by Jon B. and Next's "Butta Love."

If you buy the album, that's great. But be sure to listen only at the appropriate times specified above. You've been warned.