If there’s one thing that the music industry is doing a lot of lately, it’s R&B compilations. Special collections of all the latest or greatest urban anthems, all packaged up in a stylish CD case, designed to be the soundtrack to our weekends. One of the most popular names in the brand is Massive R&B, who have just unleashed their Spring 2010 Compilation Collection.

This two CD collection is packed full of rhythm, rhyme, rap, and pumping beats from a variety of chart acts, and maybe from some less familiar names too. Everyone listening to these CD’s will find artists and songs they like and know, and some they dislike or have never heard of. Here is my verdict on the collection:

CD One doesn’t get off to a great start for me, as I’m not a big fan of the Jay-Z/Alicia Keys hit ‘Empire State Of Mind’, which has been overplayed on our local radio, but I did fare better with the next track, which introduced me to the talented Jason Derulo. His song ‘In My Head’ stood out for its cool vocal, strong drum beat, and catchy rhythms. Other highlights included ‘Do You Remember’, the collaboration between Jay Sean, Sean Paul, and Lil John, which has a great melody, and toe tapping beat, and the urban/pop N-Dubz track ‘Say It’s Over’. I also enjoyed Ironiks ‘Tiny Dancer’, and Gym Class Heroes with ‘Clothes Off’, though I wasn’t so keen on the heavy/fuzzy/electro beats of Wiley and Chew Fu’s contribution, ‘Take That’, or the unexciting Cheryl Cole number ‘Paracute’. The CD featured some strong vocals, catchy music, and original instrumentation. Some of the tracks surprised me, while others weren’t really my thing, but what of CD Two?

Well this CD is quite a heady combination of street beats, grime, and American style vocal/rap arrangements, most songs featuring singing and rap. It’s all quite heavy, steamy, and sexy, and more for the R&B club nights than my listening sessions, but I did find a few highlights. The first of these was the Black Eyed Peas anthem ‘Meet Me Halfway’, with its strong female vocal, and catchy beats that I never get bored of hearing. I also enjoyed the Taio Cruz classic ‘Break Your Heart’, and the outstanding vocals on the Tedi track ‘Queen’. Other songs on the CD include the Rihanna track ‘Rude Boy’, Keri Hilson with ‘Turnin Me On’, Drake with ‘Best I Ever Had’, and ‘Right Hand Hi’ from Kid Sister. I would say this is the less commercial of the two CD’s, with heavy beats, a more underground vibe to the music, and beats that can at times be a bit samey. However, as with all compilations, I found songs to enjoy on both CD’s, and while the overall effect of the CD might not be as ‘Massive’ as I was expecting, my favourite tracks certainly were!

‘Massive R&B 2010’ is available now via record stores and online outlets. Look out for further ‘Massive R&B’ compilations throughout the year. For more information visit the record labels site at www.umtv.co.uk