New Edition

If you are looking for an R&B album that is better than this, you better bring your lunch. You'll be here for quite a while.

Combining the talents of Platinum-selling artists Johnny Gill (first-album with the group), Ralph Tresvant (Lead vocalist), and Bell-Biv Devoe, plus production from super-producers Jam & Lewis (Force MD's, Janet Jackson, among many others), and you get not just great songs, but album synergy.

The interludes and bits are funny and harmonious. And even the lesser-publicized singles (I'm Comin' Home) shame other artists offerings, and will stay with you for years to come.

Underrated, but unforgettable. Enjoy!

WARNING: Only for those that know good music and appreciate great talent and collaboration.

A great disc by the young men in the late 80's. My favorite: If it isn't love. 4 stars overall!

Who would have ever thought that a small song done for a hum-drum movie would have led to such a classic pairing of performers and producers? Let me refresh your memories:

In 1987, the movie "Dragnet" starring Dan Akroyd and Tom Hanks hit the theatres. All in all, it was a sad remake of a classic TV show. The only bright spot was a song on the soundtrack, a song that showcased 4 performers who were trying to redefine themselves after so much childhood success. That group was New Edition, and the song was entitled "Helplessly In Love". The thing that made this song so different was its composition. Instead of bubble-gum lyrics over a poppy-synth track, it was done with tight harmonies and layered music. This sound, created by producing phenoms Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis led us to the breakout album "Heart Break".

Not content with letting NE rest on their previous laurels, Jam and Lewis set them free with the confident, brash swagger that accompanied the boys in the latter part of their teen years. Starting off with a strong statement in the song "That's the Way We're Livin'" and jumping just as strongly into "This Is Where It All Started" got the album off to a rollicking start. That's when J&L and NE gave everyone a taste of their newfound soulful sound with "If It Isn't Love". What a great song, and definitely still as fresh today as it was almost 20 years ago.

Some of the filler tracks like "Crucial" and "My Kind Of Girl" are good to keeep the mood going, and then the album gives us its first complete surprise.

Let me state for the record (and I'm a 40 year old guy who's heard a lot of music) that "Can You Stand The Rain" is one of the best songs ever written. Period. I listen to this song even today and it wells me up. Jam and Lewis use Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill so effectively on the leads with Mike, Ricky and Ronnie backing them up with tightly layered vocals that anyone wanting to do a single song study of how to put together an R&B song could use this as a model. "Coming Home" slows the mood down even more to get us ready for "Boys To Men". Another great, unexpectedly soulful rendition.

I bought this album in New Jersey soley on the strength of "If It Isn't Love", and listened to it start to finish twice on my drive back to the Northern Virginia area. It still has a place near my CD player, and many of the songs occupy a place in my heart. There are probably 3 albums to purchase if you ever want to completely experience the genious of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis; Hearsay by Alexander O'Neal, Affair by Cherelle, and this one. It is not to be missed.

The summer of 1988 belonged to New Edition and Bobby Brown. For NE, it started with the " If it is'nt Love " video. That video had every teenage ladies man practicing those dance steps in hopes of getting one of the dime pieces that New Edition could get. Other hits includes Crucial, Coming Home, Boys to Men, NE Heartbreak and You're not my kind of girl. The only down side to this joint is that it did not have the NE Heartbreak remix on it. This album also introduced Johnny Gill who was a perfect vocal match to Ralph and Ricky's high pitched voices.

In my opinion this is New Edition's best CD and one of the best Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis productions to date during the height of their production genius.

I grew up on New Edition and even though Bobby Brown left for his own short lived success, thank goodness it didn't effect the longevity of the group and bringing in Johnny Gill was a "Perfect Combination". Not only did it add greatness to the group but later helped his own solo career which was mediocre before he joined New Edition.

This CD came out when I was in the 9th grade and lastest through my 10th grade year. I loved all of the singles that were released but it wasn't until the mid to late 1990's that I finally heard the whole CD. My favorite song is "Boys to Men". I'm assuming that's where Michael Bivens got the name for the group "Boyz II Men". I liked the song then and even more now that I have a son. I think every young man should listen to it. The lyrics are very uplifting.

I give this CD 5 stars without a doubt.

I enjoyed the Home Again, New Edition CD and It's the best New Edition CD I heard in a long time.

This album is great!Highlights on this album are,
Oh Yeah It feel Good
Hit Me Off
Shop Around
Something About You
I'm Still In Love With You

And even better to have a group like New Edition still doing their thing together despite all of the things going on with other groups. They've been in the music business for more years than i can count and the guys still know how to bring it home in their songs. From the first song "Oh Yeah, It Feels So Good" we have all the members explaining to everyone how great it is to be back and doing what they love. Ronnie has a significant part in this song with two parts rapping and singing as well as Mike along with Ricky, Bobby and Johnny on the singing. On "Hit Me Off" one of several hits off the album, the guys come back with a more hip hop flavored song taking a sample from the Black Moon song "I Got Cha Opin" and using it well with rap verses by Ronnie and Ricky on this one as well with Ricky, Bobby, Johnny and Ralph coming in as well. Then comes "You Don't Have to Worry" written by P. Diddy, Heavy D and the boys from 112. They give NE a different feel on this song and they work it well also contains a sample from the James Brown song "Your Love" vocals by Bobby and rap by Ronnie and Mike. "Tighten It Up" is worked on nicely by Jermaine Dupri also written by him along with Ricky Bell and a rap verse by Ronnie and Mike with vocals by Bobby, Ricky and Ralph. "Shop Around" is basically about a guy wanting to go have a look around when it comes to getting with a woman and its cool. because they handle the song well written again by JD along with Johnny, Ralph and Michael with vocals by Johnny, Ralph, Ricky and Bobby. "Hear Me Out" is a slow burner about him apologizing for hurting the woman that he's with because of what he did. Its written by Dinky Bingham, Geo Washington and Mike Bivins with vocals by Mike (spoken), Ricky, Johnny, Bobby and Ralph.

"Something About You" is a cool song (although not really one of my favs on the album) but its written by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis with Lead vocals by Ralph and Bobby also contains a sample from Edie Brickell's song "What I Am" with vocals by Ralph. "Try Again" is more uptempo song than previous efforts and i find myself enjoying more each time i listen to it. Has a sample from the Slick Rick song "Lick the Balls" and written by P. Diddy, Chucky Thompson and Harvey Frierson. Its about wanting to restart a relationship with someone you've moved on from in the past with vocals by Bobby, Ricky and Ralph. "How Do Like Your Love Served" asks the upfront question of how do you want to be pleased that's how i took it and it's written by Gerald Levert and Edwin Nicholas. Its another strong slow jam for me from the guys vocals by Ronnie (spoken), Ricky, Johnny and Ralph. Then comes one of my favorite New Edition songs since "Can You Stand the Rain". "One More Day" we all know what the song is about. its wanting to spend another moment with that special someone that you don't want to leave. Its written rather nicely by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (once again) and Lead Vocals by Ricky along with Ralph as well. The video is nice as well nothing over the top or anything. "I'm Still In Love With You" another slow song that is right in there with other of my favorite songs. Written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis we have Ricky and Ralph handling the lead vocal reins on this song as well with great results. Its just about a person being in love with someone despite them not being together and that those feelings won't fade away no matter how much time passes by.

I'm not really big on Interludes on albums for the most part they do nothing for me. But "Thank You (The JG Interlude)" is done well and its all handled with class and precision by Johnny Gill (one more reason why New Edition is and will always be one of the best groups out there). He's giving thanks for all the blessings and rewards that he and the group have achieved together over the years. the last song "Home Again" does just that bringing everything home and back to where it started for the group it shows how they've grown over the years and continue to even now vocals by Ralph, Bobby, Johnny, Ricky and Mike (spoken).

Its a fitting end song to altogether great CD from my favorite group out there. Nuff respect, New Edition knows how to get done and does it with precision regardless of what the brief amazon review says.

"Home Again" is classic NE material.

I remember the first time I heard this album when it came out 10 years ago, listening to it now after I haven't listened to it for a while brings back some great memories, I was a young man at the time and I enjoyed the rhythms of the songs but really these songs have a deeper meaning to me now that I'm more grown and going through relationships, songs like "How Do You Like Your Love Served?", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Shop Around", and "Home Again" have so much soul to them, you got all the members of New Edition, Ronnie, Bobby, Ralph, Ricky, Mike, and Johnny on here that got so much chemistry together throughout this album, and with production from Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Puffy Daddy(now known as Diddy), Heavy D(yes he's a hell of a producer too besides a great rapper, he produced on Beanie Siegel's last big hit if I'm not mistaken), and now the late great Gerald Levert(god bless that talented brother, I'm gonna have to review some more of his music when I get a chance) you can't really go wrong, if you're a fan of that real soul music with that hip-hop funk then this album is for you, it's a classic record, it has an even deeper meaning to me because this is how I was became interested in this group, they've made a lot of classics in their careers, solo and in group efforts(BBD and basically most of them releasing solo albums), much love to the NE fam, keep that music coming fellas

I AM LIKE THE BIGGEST NEW EDITION FAN EVER...SO I REALLY LIKE THIS CD. AND EVERYTHING ELSE THEY'VE PUT OUT!!

i've always dug New Edition. there songs have always been on point and they always kept there sound up to point to what was happening. from the 80's through 90's New Edition didn't miss a Beat. there vocal harmony and balance of Up-tempo and Slow Jams always works. MR. Telephone Man,If it isn't love, cool it now, candy girl,etc..... this collection captures them really well. a very tight set. New Edition is One of the Baddest Vocal Groups Ever.

I'm a Boston girl who has always loved New Edition. I sing along loudly whenever I listen to this CD.

New Edition of one the greatest bands to come out of the 1980's...and I grew up listening to Cool It Now,Count Me Out,Little Bit Of Love etc....But where is Candy Girl?...That is a great song and there first hit....I know it was released on Streetwise label but its there song....But this is a great collection from a great group.....Make sure you pick one up

I've read some reviews complaining about the fact that some songs are in single edits.Others complain that the songs from Streetwise Records are not on here.

The longer versions of certain songs are still available on their parent albums if that's serious people.It sounds better than the vinyl I use to listen to the songs on in the 80's.For Streetwise,get the "Candy Girl" album on CD.In short,I guess you can't please everybody but it's the best NE hits comp released.

P.S.:It's about time someone released "Helplessly In Love" on a NE compilation!

Hey now, if you don't have this CD, you NEED to get it!!! The only disappointing thing is that songs from their first album are not included, but the first album was released when they were really, really young and there after the songs/albums are more mature so to delete those songs from the more mature sounding songs isn't half bad. (I know that was a run on sentence but I just couldn't chop it up)

I was soooooo glad to see "Helplessly In Love" on there, my favorite NE slo jam (of course a Jimmy jam and Terry Lewis jam). If you don't have it, whatcha waitin' 4?

What a walk down memory lane! Wonderful sound and great rendentions by this group. Good selection of songs. One couldn't ask for better sound quality - great CD!

Many years after it came out you can pop it in and still groove along. Awesome disc.

I'm gonna give them an A for effort, and a B- for actual. The remake of the Penguins' Earth Angel, and Little Anthony and the Imperials' Tears On My Pillow stand out to me as the 2 remakes that grabbed me the most off this album.

I grew up listening to New Edition and had this tape when I was in the 5th grade. I loved it, and the CD takes me back!

New Edition does a great job of doing a remix of classic doowop style music. Excellent harmonies. I had the cassette from the day but added the cd recently.

Your Christmas music collection isn't complete without this CD! "Give Love on Christmas Day," and "It's Christmas (All over the World)" are two of the most beautifully sung Christmas songs of all time. This CD is a true classic.

New Edition is without a doubt the greatest R&B of all time. Their Christmas All over the World CD features the bys singing catchy Christmas tunes and ballads. All I Want For Christmas Is My Girl can't help but make you smile while Happy Holidays To You, It's Christmas All over the World and both version of Give Love On Christmas sound as good as ever.

THE CD OPENER 'GIVE LOVE ON CHRISTMAS DAY" IS THE NOW CLASSIC THAT WAS COVERED BY THE JACKSON 5, AND IT STILL SOUNDS JUST AS GOOD, EXCELLENT CD QUALITY REIGNS! "CHRISTMAS ALL OVER THE WORLD" IS A VERY SING-A-LONG, MELODIC TRACK."HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU" IS SOULFUL AND ENJOYABLE."ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS (IS MY GIRL) IS TOO MUCH BUBBLEGUM..IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN-OTHER STANDOUTS ARE "JOY TO THE WORLD" VERY WHIMSICAL AND AN AWESOME CHORUS BOTH ADULTS/CHILDREN WOULD ENJOY AND "SINGING MERRY CHRISTMAS" IS A NICE CHRISTMAS BALLAD. ANOTHER GEM IS THE BONUS TRACK "GIVE LOVE ON CHRISTMAS DAY" WITH JOHNNY GILL DOING HIS SOLO THING- A CD EVERYONE CAN LISTEN TO ..AT A GREAT PRICE ...ORDER YOURS TODAY !

Every last hit. Some I wouldn't have placed and was thrilled to find them on this CD.

I have been looking for the song " Sensitivity" for a long time and found it hard to find a CD with this song on. Using Amazon I was able to find it and gained some Bobby Brown songs as well. I didn't have to wait long for this product and it was in top condition.

This CD was ok. I bought it used so I was a bit disappointed when it came with a broken CD case, but nonetheless the music wasn't distorted. Some songs I liked were: Can you stand the rain, don't be cruel, on our own (Ghostbusters!!), johnny gill's my my my and more!! I like boby brown's and JOhnny Gills songs better so maybe I should've bought their Cd isntead of this New Edition "hits collection".

One thing I didn't like was the mixes they made of some of the songs like Can you stand the rain (Lampost mix) and the My my my (single version). I wish they would've just stuck with the original mixes. That's what makes these songs so great, but now that I have the ugly versions, I don't think so.

As it appears to be in the photos contained in the album,New Edition has been upgraded to a sextet. We hear all six overall New Edition members Bobby Brown,Ralph Tresvant,Ricky Bell,Michael Bivins,Ronnie Devoe and Johnny Gill on this great collection of number one hits. Not only do we hear the group's recordings,we also hear Brown's solo hits,Tresvant's solo hit,Bell Biv Devoe's(Bell,Bivins and Devoe) solo hits and Gill's solo hits(one of them is a duet with Stacy Lattisaw). Let me just state for the record that the Gill/Lattisaw duet is not PERFECT COMBINATION. Instead their recording of WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? appears in this collection. So technically,this is a six-artist album,if you include Lattisaw. This collection could use 1985's COUNT ME OUT and 1986's EARTH ANGEL. Brown's solo career began in 1986 with KING OF STAGE. KOS spawned GIRLFRIEND,a beautiful slow jam. When his second album DON'T BE CRUEL was released in 1988,Brown catapulted to superstardom. 1990 saw Tresvant's solo self-titled debut and also the debut of the spinoff trio Bell Biv Devoe. The trio gave up crooning for hipping and hopping. After Brown's departure from NE in 1986,Gill filled the vacancy. Brown made headlines in 1992 when he took Grammy-winner Whitney Houston to be his lawfully wedded wife. Despite their involvement in violence and drugs,they are still married today. CANDY GIRL,from NE's 1983 debut of the same title,sounds like a Jackson 5 recording. Doesn't the voice resemble a pre-teen Michael Jackson? From the group's sophomore self-titled album released the following year are COOL IT NOW and the Ray Parker Jr.-written and produced MR. TELEPHONE MAN(indeed,that song has the sound of Parker's band Raydio). CAN YOU STAND THE RAIN is from 1988's HEARTBREAK. The other songs are excellent!

I ordered this album from Amazon.com based on the reviews and I must admit, that I was not disappointed. Matter of fact, I let my cousin and sister listen to it and they both felt the same as I do, this CD is the bomb! It is not a New Edition the group number one, but a compilation of all the number one album from the group and individual artists. Although, I must admit, I have never been a Ralph Tresvant fan, I still think that this is a wonderful CD.

This is a great purchase for all the true NE fans out there. I have been listening to it non-stop. My girlfriends and I went to one of their recent concerts and bought this after seeing the show - we've been totally obsessed with listening to their music since. This compilation has all the best songs - it's awesome.

I am a huge fan of New Edition as a group and as solo artists. I have every single thing they have ever done, but to have all the favorites wrapped up into 2 disc ..........WONDERFUL!!!
I recommend this CD to anyone that is a super fan or you like certain songs and do not want to buy a full CD. Believe me..you will find the song on Gold. They did not miss anything with this one.

I LOVE IT!!!!

I've been a die hard fan of New Edition since I can remeber and without a doubt this is the best collection for any new fan to get. It has all the classic jams from the group together and solo.

Finally, a New Edition collection that gives a nice selection of major hits and dynamic album tracks all on two discs. There have been quite a few single disc compilations over the years, but none as comprehensive as this latest release. We all know the group had plenty of jams as well as a bunch of solo hits that we want to listen to as well. Classic gems from early in their career include "Lost In Love," "Count Me Out," "Mr. Telephone Man," and "Cool It Now." A few album tracks from then sneak on this double disc as well, namely "Earth Angel," "My Secret (Didja Gitit Yet)," "With You All The Way," and "A Little Bit Of Love (Is All It Takes)." The middle years brought a few more group cuts like "If It Isn't Love," "Your Not My Kind Of Girl," "N.E. Heartbreak," and "Crucial" (the 12" version is featured on here). But those middle years also brought about everybody's solo albums too.

Bobby's smashes are represented on here with "My Prerogative," "On Our Own," "Don't Be Cruel," "Every Little Step," "Humpin Around," and "Girlfriend." Ralph's solo joints include "Do What I Gotta Do," "Sensitivity," and "Money Can't Buy You Love" from the Mo' Money soundtrack. Johnny Gill is finally given his props after being left off most other N.E. collections. His featured songs are "Rub You The Right Way," "Wrap My Body Tight" and "My My My." Bell Biv Devoe round out the solo cuts with "Poison," "When Will I See You Smile Again," and "B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)." The later years bring all six members of New Edition back together with the release of Home Again. "I'm Still In Love With You" "You Don't Have To Worry," "Hit Me Off," and "One More Day" are the classics from Home Again that are added to this colossal collection.

New Edition to this day don't get the respect that they rightly deserve. They set trends, they came with it for years as a group as well as on the solo tip, and they are still going strong to this day. According to Bobby Brown, they are planning a national tour with all six members taking part. Hopefully they will have time in between to record at least one more classic to add to their arsenal. Gold shines bright and will please any New Edition fan in addition to those who just want a massive package of their biggest hits. N.E. Forever!

I am enjoying this album so much! If you are a true, die hard, fan than New Edition Gold must be added to your collection. It is missing a few of the other hits, but it made up for it with the others. I highly recommend GOLD!!!

new edition's self-titled 1984 album is a classic. cool it now,mr. telephone man,and lost in love (not a remake of air supply's song.) are the classic hits. i'm leaving you again,(sampled by lil' bow wow.) hide and seek,maryann,and kinda girls we like are other classics.new edition are-as the kids say- da bomb! ed wilson

Probably the most consistently good New Edition album, this one not only has the mega-hits "Cool It Now" and "Mr. Telephone Man", but three really great songs in "I'm Leaving You Again", "Hide & Seek", and "Delicious". Easily one of the best "bubblegum" albums of the 80s.

I was getting girls in the 6th grade singing this album. All you needed back them was some New Edition and money for a ice cream sandwich to get your girl. Ralph and the crew slay the somewhat bubblegum but wholesome tracks. Stand out tracks are pretty much the whole album even Maryann. Personal fav's are Lost in Love, Delicious, Telephone Man, Cool it Now and Leaving you again.

All 10 tracks were outstanding. My all time favorites are Cool It Now, Mr Telephone Man, and My Secret. I remember seeing all three of these videos back in 1984 on NY Hot Tracks. They acted silly, but the videos were awesome. I love the first, but prefer the edited version better (shot to #1 on Hot R&B/Hip Hop Charts and #4 on billboard). Mr. Telephone Man (another R&B #1 and a top 20 pop)was a true mid-tempo hit that displayed Bobby Brown's strong points and allowed all NE members to sing (but Ronnie of course). I really loved My Secret with the groundbreaking beat and brief guitar solo. "C'mon Girl! You only got three more guesses. You're not even close. I see you gettin' warmer! OHH NOW YOU'RE HOT!!!!!!" I liked their routine steps when performing it on Krushgroove.

Lost In Love a #6 R&B slow jammer was outstanding but not like the groupie groove Baby Love which reminds me of a 80's version of Usher's "Superstar." I was shocked to death when I first heard of Bow Wow and Ciara's Like You and how they sampled the smooth groove Leaving You Again (only B side of My Secret), but Bow Wow's version was ironically #1. I love the original version better because it sounds like a true R&B song. Other tracks such as Kinda GIrls We Like and Delicious were also outstanding....what more can I say, just buy the cd. Also buy Candy Girl and Heartbreak because these and this cd are THREE OF A KIND!! My father still has this on original lp, but I had to get the cd for myself cause this was really on point.

Here's how I rate each track:
Cool It Now - A+++
Mr Telephone Man - A+++
I'm Leaving You Again - A-
Baby Love - A+
Delicious - A-
My Secret - A+++
Hide & Seek - B+
Lost In Love - A-
Kinda Girls We Like - A
Maryann - B+

Oh how does it take me back. Its funny how music was so different back then. Although some may say its corny but the truth is the emotions in those songs are timeless. I found myself listening to Old New Edition songs from this album during my most recent heart break. Not knowing when I put them on how profoundly I would be affected 20 years later. How nostalgic to go back to a time when love was so simple and pure. Its the truest form of art. I thought to myself as I cried listening to whispers in bed (not on this album) How much music has changed. No artist today can imitate the sound emotion or passion that was put into the music of the young men known as New Edition. Because its so true and pure it makes you get to the heart of love life and the pursuit of music. Its funny how although the music is outdated the message is will never go out of style. Artists today are trying to create the type of longevity in music like New Edition created (among others). I would say for any true fan of music...THIS IS A MUST HAVE. Happy listening

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS ALBUM FOR A LONG TIME. IT CAME IN VERY GOOD SHAPE.

Before mainstream and "good looks" to sell their vocals, there was New Edition. A young group of pre-teens and teens selling songs of good taste and good production.

This is what started the next wave of R&B and paved the way for groups like Boyz 2 Men, 112, and others.

It has only a few good songs, you get bored very easily from the songs wich sound very similar between them. Poor sound quality.

If you are an 80's child and had the LP, you must buy this CD. I felt like in High School again! And my son loves "Pass the Beat". He has listened to it since he was 3 and dances to it.

Say hello to Boston-based New Edition. I said the "Jackson 5" of Boston because many of these songs sound like they were recorded by the Jackson 5. Also,one of these guys sounds like the pre-teen Michael Jackson. I love that digital percussion. It motivated many rhythmic individuals to "get down and funky"! It's 1983 and those people are having a ball "breakdancing"! One Top 20 hit from this album is the title track. That does sound like a Jackson 5 recording despite the modern percussion. Another Boston-based quintet would later enjoy success,that being New Kids On The Block(later NKOTB). Also,before there was New Edition,there was the hard-rocking Aerosmith. But the latter group began back in 1973. Let's introduce the NE members:Robert Brown,who would leave the group in 1985 or early '86 for a solo career and later take Whitney Houston to be his lawfully wedded wife. Ralph Tresvant,who'd go solo in 1990 but not become as successful and famous as Brown. Richard Bell,Michael Bivins and Ronald Devoe would re-christen the downgraded group as Bell Biv Devoe that same year. The other songs are great! I first heard the NE back in late '83 or early '84. The group recorded four more albums between 1984 and '88 to fulfill their initial contract.

New Edition's "Greatest Hits Vol. 1" is an album I purchased many years ago and still love today. Many collections have chronicled the careers of Ralph, Ronny, Ricky, Bobby, and Michael (and later Johnny), but in 1991 this was the first. Spanning the group's early years before their first breakup, selections are included from 1983's Candy Girl, 1984's New Edition, 1985's All for Love, and 1988's Heart Break.

A listener unfamiliar with the group can watch the Boston boys progress from teenaged Jackson 5 followers to seasoned crooners. While their style shifts from bubble-gum pop to mature, soulful R&B, the appeal of the singers, unique talent, and great production remains a constant. In their younger days, they were mere teenagers singing such inescapably catchy tunes as "Popcorn Love," "Candy Girl," "Cool It Now," and "Mr. Telephone Man," with Bobby Brown evoking a young Michael Jackson on the slow jams "Is This the End" and "Lost in Love." By 1988, Johnny Gill had replaced Brown in the lineup, and the group displayed greater talent than ever on their finest songs, the phenomenal ballad "Can You Stand the Rain" and the new jack swing number "If It Isn't Love." While the production on these songs was the finest they ever had, the singers also put together their best performances. At this point in their career, New Edition was a joy to listen to; it seemed like each verse just one-upped the previous one in terms of impressiveness, and their harmonies were perfect.

My complaints on this collection are that the music isn't listed chronologically, and that the version of "Boys to Men" isn't the original, but a remix. With eleven tracks, it's concise. However, the tracks are all wonderful, and it's easy to make a fan out of anyone with this collection. This certainly isn't their most encompassing or complete hits compilation, because no music after 1988 is included, so there is no material from solo albums, subsequent group efforts, or Bel Biv Devoe. In that respect, I'd definitely recommend their more complete collections Hits or All the Number Ones. However, this one should be pretty cheap, so if you're a casual NE fan, it'd be nice to add to the collection.

Okay, okay, so we all know that the Jackson Five were the original "Boy Band" trendsetters.

Singing teeny-bop songs and breakin' it down with cool dance moves would be a formula New Edition pimped and passed along to Boyz II Men, New Kids On the Block, N-Sync, Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees and any other boy-band I missed.

I can honestly say, however, it's still cool 2 say you liked New Edition (which I'm sure ain't being said about all of the aforementioned groups, LOL).

This LP is the one to own because it really does have all of their greatest hits.

The love ballad "Can You Stand the Rain" is a classic, classic jam I think still sums up what real men are looking for in wifey material (among other things, LOL).

"Boys to Men," "Mr. Telephone Man," "Candy Girl" and "Popcorn Love" all sound dated, but if you're into this kind of R&B music you'll still enjoy hearing oldies but goodies one more time.

Recommended purchase.

I think this CD has a good collection of New Edition's hits but as a big fan of the song "Boys To Men," I was unpleasantly surprised and disappointed to find that the CD contains a remixed version of this song. The remixed version sounds awful in my opinion--this song did not need the addition of electric drums--but maybe that's because I really love the original. If you're also a fan of this song, you may want to listen to the remixed version before purchasing.

I'm a huge NE fan, so when I purchased this album I was so excited but after listening to it, I could've played better music myself. You can tell that the cd was done with keyboard programming. The sax was the only instrument that was played by an actual person, and the rest of the programming was horrible. If you have the rest of NE's albums, you don't need this CD, unless you just want to add it to your collection.

"New Edition's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1" is an extroardinary R&B CD that definitely proved why New Edition was one of the greatest R&B acts around in the 1980's. My most favorite hits of all time on this CD was "If It Isn't Love", "Can You Stand The Rain", "Count Me Out", "Candy Girl", "Cool It Now", and my all-time favorite "Mr. Telephone Man" which was written by none other than Mr. Ray Parker Jr. If you are a true fan of New Edition and if you truly know the history of this group that paved the way for other boy bands in the 90's and 21st century, I would recommend this CD.