The O.G. bad boy of New Jack Swing's sophomore full length gets a long overdue reissue! Don't Be Cruel is undeniably Bobby Brown's best work, a prime example of late 80's R&B that has stood the test of time. Originally released in 1988, Don't Be Cruel came two years after Brown left New Edition at the peak of their fame. His first solo album (1987's King Of The Stage) was OK, but this is the one that hits all the right notes. With the R&B super team of Baby Face and LA Reid assisting on songwriting, plus Teddy Riley laying down the legit new jack beats, Don't Be Cruel became the crown jewel of Brown's catalog. Contains all the #1 singles "Don’t Be Cruel", "My Perogative", "Every Little Step" & "Roni," and more. You probably know the words to every song on here (I know I do). Recommended.

• music label: MCA 1988 / Get On Down 2014

reviewed by Von Bee 05/2014