Center Stage [Sony]

Performer: Original Soundtrack
Engineer: Dushyant Bhakta; Garth Richardson; Guy Roche; Harvey Mason, Jr.; Al Stone; Michael Beinhorn; Ricky Marti; Robbie Nevil; Rolando Alejandro; The Wasabees; Bruce Swedien
Producer: Cory Rooney; Dan Shea; Eraser; Guy Roche; Harvey Mason, Jr.; Rico Anderson; Jay Kay; Keith Thomas; Al Stone; Michael Beinhorn; Michael Jackson; Quincy Jones; Ric Wake; Robbie Nevil; Rodney Jerkins; Soul Solution; The Wasabees
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Personnel: Cyrena (vocals, background vocals); Elvis Crespo, Gizelle D'Cole, International Five, Jill Scott (vocals); Rusty Anderson (guitar); Keith Thomas (acoustic guitar, synthesizer, drum programming); Jerry McPherson, Kenny Greenberg (electric guitar); Jose Diaz (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Luis Aquino (trumpet); Alexis "Pucho" Fraticheli (guiro); Dan Muckala (programming); Toby Smith (keyboard programming); Hilda Gonzalez, Henry Garcia, Tiffany Arbuckle, Socky Torres (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Joe Smith ; Manny Marroquin; Dave Bascombe; Dave Jerden; Dave Way; Dexter Simmons; Bill Whittington; Bruce Swedien. Recording information: Bananaboat Studios, Burbank, CA; Chillington Studio, Buckinghamshire, England; Metropolis, S. Melbourne, Australia; Pacifique Studios; The Bennet House, Franklin, TN; TransContinental Studios, Orlando, FL. Editor: Shaun Shakel. Arrangers: Jay Kay; Keith Thomas ; Robbie Nevil. More a marketing plan than an album, the soundtrack to Center Stage is a various artists compilation of contemporary pop music tied irrelevantly to a movie about ballet dancers who, in the film, dance to classical music. You'd never know that from this CD, which is nothing more or less than an attempt to break one or more new teen pop acts. Mandy Moore has already had a commercial impact with her debut single, "Candy"; "I Wanna Be With You," the lead-off track and first single, finds her singing a mediocre romantic ballad that, given her age, constitutes an invitation to statutory rape. (A dance remix concludes the album.) Current unknowns International Five, Ashley Ballard, P.Y.T., Thunderbugs, and Cyrena turn in bland pop songs, which doesn't mean they won't be at the top of the charts some time soon; Thunderbugs' "Friends Forever" especially sounds like it could be the anthem for the junior high school class of 2000. Elvis Crespo and Gizelle D'Cole's "Come Baby Come" is the obligatory Latin track, while "If I Was the One," performed by the duo Ruff Endz, is the obligatory Diane Warren ballad. There are also several older licensed tracks, including a couple of Jamiroquai's neo-R&B workouts, most of which wipe the floor with the teen pop dreck. The intention here, of course, is to tap into a number of current trends, and, who knows, maybe that intention will be fulfilled. But it's hard not to see this sampler album of faceless, forgettable music as an example of cynical major-label exploitation that deserves to fail. ~ William Ruhlmann The original soundtrack to Center Stage, a musical drama about aspiring dance students, features songs by Jill Scott, Cyrena, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Michael Jackson. Mandy Moore's "I Wanna Be With You," Jamiroquai's "Canned Heat," International Five's "First Kiss," and Ruff Endz "If I Was the One" are some of the high points from this eclectic collection, which also includes songs by Elvis Crespo & Gizelle, P.Y.T., and Ashley Ballard. ~ Heather Phares The soundtrack for this teen ballet flick has the flavor of a high school dance recital. Aside from the drama inherent in the lives of those who pursue the terpsichorean muse, the film is enlivened by a group of songs that are pretty danceworthy in and of themselves; included is a fine sampling of some popular contemporary pop and R&B artists. It's an animated collection of energetic modern music. Two Jamiroquai gems, "Cosmic Girl" and "Canned Heat," are featured, swirling disco classics both. Offering a nod to rock and funk in one fell swoop, there's the Red Hot Chili Peppers' timeless take on Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground," while for all the Latin lovers out there, there's Elvis Crespo's carnal collaboration with Giselle D'Cole on "Come Baby Come." For those still living in the '80s, there's the King Of Pop in his "Bad" incarnation, and finally, for the kids, there are light R&B ballads such as Ruff Endz' "If I Was The One," catchy pop jingles the like of Mandy Moore's "I Wanna Be With You," and P.Y.T.'s "We're Dancing." CENTER STAGE covers all the pop bases with impressive efficacy.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25