Thanks for My Child (CD - 1999)

A best-of compilation that contains Cheryl "Pepsii" Riley's defining "Thanks for My Child," which aced the R&B chart in 1988. An '80s theme song if there ever was one, it's hard imagining a '60s or '70s artist hitting with a song about single parenting. Full Force wrote and produced Cheryl's material and at times concocted some good hip-hop with compelling hooks and rhythms to contrast the drama -- ballads that were her forte. While not as dynamic or cagey as some female vocalists, she works certain songs right into your inners and imprints them into your memory bank forever. Picks include the title track, "Every Little Thing About You," "Sisters" (a duet with Lisa, Lisa), "Me, Myself and I," "How Can You Hurt the One You Love," and one she co-wrote with Full Force, "(So Glad) This Love Affair Is Over." The tight but sparse productions makes you wonder how Pepsi would fare with stellar session musicians in a studio loaded with the works, and Quincy Jones or Baby Face in the production booth. ~ Andrew Hamilton minimize