The Fighting Temptations (CD - 2003)

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

Personnel: Faith Evans (vocals, background vocals); Destiny's Child, Eddie LeVert, Free, MC Lyte, Melba Moore, Missy Elliott, Montell Jordan, Angie Stone, Ann Nesby, Shirley Caesar, The O'Jays, Walter Williams, Beyoncé Knowles, Bilal (vocals); Paul Logus, Stevie J., Romeo Antonio, Rick Watford (guitar); Jimmy "Z" Zavala (flute, harmonica, saxophone); Buddy Greene (harmonica); Greg Curtis, Steve Twyman (piano); Michael E. Mathis, Vance Taylor (organ); Damon Elliott (keyboards, percussion, programming); James "Big Jim" Wright (keyboards, background vocals); Bobby Ross Avila (keyboards); Iz (drums, percussion); Joe Pusateri, Rick J. Jordan, Sheryl Harper (drums); Bubba Smith (percussion).

Audio Mixers: Neil Pogue; Manny Marroquin; Dave Pensado; Fred Walker; Paul Logus.

Recording information: 7303 Studios, Houston, TX; Daddy's House Recordings, New York, NY; Doppler Studios, Atlanta, GA; Music World Studios, Houston, TX; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY; The Enterprise, Burbank, CA; The Village Recorder, Los Angeles, CA.

As if 2003 wasn't already a banner year for Beyoncé with the massive success of her solo debut Dangerously in Love, her starring roles in The Fighting Temptations and its soundtrack cement it as such. A mix of hip-hop, urban, and gospel, the album also features such luminaries as Missy Elliott, Shirley Caesar, Faith Evans, P. Diddy, and, interestingly enough, Destiny's Child, whose pretty but downbeat "I Know" seems to be on the soundtrack to reassure fans that Beyoncé's thriving solo career doesn't mean the end of the group. Nevertheless, the seven tracks that feature Beyoncé on her own or with other collaborators are more striking: in particular, the movie's title track, a surprisingly fun and funky celebration of ladies' night out and waiting for true love with Missy, MC Lyte, and Free, and "Everything I Do," a silky-smooth duet with Bilal. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" gives her a chance to return to her gospel roots and show off that side of her voice, as do her gospel collaborations, "He Still Loves Me" with Walter Williams of the O'Jays and "Time to Come Home" with Angie Stone and Melba Moore. Indeed, the gospel songs -- which form the heart and soul of the movie as well as this album -- are arguably the best moments on this soundtrack, from the more contemporary sounds of Angie Stone and Eddie Levert's "Rain Down" to the traditional gospel of Ann Nesby's "I'm Getting Ready" and her collaboration with Shirley Caesar, "The Stone." Faith Evans' "Heaven Knows" manages to blend gospel and disco into a striking centerpiece for the album, rivaling Beyoncé's contributions in terms of sheer charisma. Even though Fighting Temptations is a slightly scattered album, it's an enjoyable soundtrack that manages to transcend being merely another vehicle for Beyoncé's music. ~ Heather Phares

Reflecting the thin line between sacred and secular music that's particularly prevalent in the world of soul, THE FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS soundtrack modernizes this dichotomy, which has been tackled by legends like Prince, Sam Cooke, and Al Green. Given that the film's story is based on a plot about a crooked ad exec forming a choir in order to collect an inheritance, there's plenty of gospel music packed into these 15 songs. The legendary Shirley Caesar wrote and performs on both "I'm Getting Ready," an uplifting solo showcase for Sounds of Blackness mouthpiece Ann Nesby, and the equally stirring "The Stone," which features the two ladies doing some major roof-raising. With Matthew Knowles serving as the executive soundtrack album producer, it's no surprise that daughter Beyonce is the star of the film and a featured performer throughout this collection. When Beyonce's not tearing up the party jam "Fighting Temptation" alongside Missy Elliott, MC Lyte, and Free, she's tucking into the slow jam "I Know" with day job Destiny's Child and flying solo on fine interpretations of "Fever" and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot." Other stellar covers include Faith Evans turning the disco nugget "Heaven Knows" into her own, and the O'Jays making like the Persuasions on "Loves Me Like a Rock." minimize