AMG Review of Roll Bounce

Andy Kellman
All Music Guide

Possibly set out to right the wrongs of the roller-disco-obsessed movies that were actually made while the craze was operating at full blast (#Roller Boogie, #Skatetown, USA, the arguably flawless #Xanadu), #Roll Bounce is set in the '70s -- well before many of its stars were born -- and its soundtrack balances classics with modern updates and covers. The old material is well chosen (Bill Withers' "Lovely Day," Foxy's "Get Off," Vaughn Mason & Crew's "Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll"), if occasionally obvious and over-familiar (Chic's "Le Freak"). Beyoncé, Michelle Williams, and Keith Sweat provide covers that couldn't possibly match the originals, while Kool & the Gang needlessly overhauls "Hollywood Swingin'" with Jamiroquai. Out of all the new tracks included here, the most exciting is Brooke Valentine's loose interpretation of A Taste of Honey's "Boogie Oogie Oogie," featuring Fabolous and Yo-Yo, not to mention a Jazze Pha production that's a speedy variation on Ciara's "1, 2 Step." One touch that nicely ties old to new is a Jam & Lewis-produced track from Earth, Wind & Fire that shows flashes of the group's best uplifting/mid-tempo moments (à la "Devotion"). Like most other soundtracks, this disc isn't likely to have much appeal to those who haven't seen the movie. It's also worth noting that a very small number of its inclusions are exclusives.