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 (Soundtrack) 
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How the West Was
Won By Joseph Patel (Cdnow) Big blockbusters, particularly big summer ones, usually yield some of the most gruesome soundtracks ever made. So many contrived concoctions and money-motivated collaborations arise that it's hard not to feel like you're trapped in one giant trailer for the film. Now, consider Will Smith, the once-fleeting rapper who's been transformed -- thanks to such movies -- into a $20-million-per-movie leading man. Think his latest, sure-thing summer vehicle will be any different? Actually, it is. The soundtrack for Wild Wild West features an eclectic mix of R&B and hip-hop artists who make this a pleasurable, quality compilation relative to most other recent "urban-oriented" soundtracks. Ironically, it's Smith who turns in a song that sounds too much like a trailer. Known for his previous pop anthems "Men in Black" and "Gettin' Jiggy With It," Smith's title track is low on actual rhyming substance and very high on commercial gloss. The best piece on Wild Wild West is from Enrique Iglesias, son of Julio and the next singer who will probably benefit from Ricky Martin's widespread acceptance in the U.S. He turns in his version of the Latin standard "Bailamos," and it's a beautiful, love serenade with a very infectious hook. Tatyana Ali and Faith Evans deliver predictably radio-oriented fare, as does Blackstreet, who, on "Confused," turns in some of the best work not found on their latest album. There's also the return of Guy, the vocal R&B trio, which hasn't put out a record in several years. On "The Best," Guy sounds like a younger Blackstreet with a mix of Digital Underground-like funk, a suitable re-emergence. On the hip-hop side, there's MC Lyte, who does her best Missy & Timbaland impression. But interestingly, this soundtrack also includes two songs from Slick Rick and Common, two rappers not known to appear on such high-profile projects; not for lack of talent, they're rarely asked. Common's rubbery lyricism and vivid narrative deserves a higher platform and his "8 Minutes to Sunrise" expectedly shines. With him is singer Jill Scott, the female vocalist who originally laid down the vocals for the Roots' big single, "You Got Me," and who sang the song during that group's live shows. Most of the music on the soundtrack isn't in the film -- hence the sub-head "Music Inspired by the Motion Picture" -- and usually that means prepare yourself for the worst. In the badlands of the Wild Wild West, however, that isn't the case. |
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