20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best of the Mary Jane Girls

by Mary Jane Girls

Overview

The Mary Jane Girls were always known as Rick James' protegees, because that's what they were. The superfreak dressed 'em up in skimpy outfits and provocative costumes, and had them sing songs very reminiscent of James -- actually, it's probably more accurate to say that the sound was closer to Prince or one of his proteges, because there was a heavily Minneapolis vibe to his songs and productions for the Mary Jane Girls. They hit a home run once, with the spectacular "In My House," one of the great urban funk songs of the mid-'80s. They never got that good again, although they almost hit the Top 40 with "Wild and Crazy Love" and "Walk Like a Man." Those three songs, along with a bunch of other singles, R&B hits, and album tracks are on 20th Century Masters, as good a retrospective as could be assembled on the Girls. It's not totally comprehensive, but it does have anything that anybody would want to hear, and while it won't make a case for the girls or James as a Svengali, it's pretty enjoyable for those that want to hear songs like "In My House," only not as memorable. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/19/2001
Label:	Motown / Universal
UPC:	0044001435720
Rank:	36797

Tracks

1. All Night Long
2. Boys
3. Candy Man
4. Jealousy
5. You Are My Heaven
6. On the Inside
7. In My House
8. Break It Up
9. Wild and Crazy Love
10. Shadow Lover
11. Walk Like a Man

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Mary Jane Girls   Primary Artist,Vocals
Rick James   Multi Instruments
Cheri   Vocals

Technical Credits

Rick James   Arranger,Horn Arrangements,Vocal Arrangement,String Arrangements,Composer,Producer
Harry Weinger   Compilation Producer
Suha Gur   Digital Remastering
Steven Ivory   Liner Notes
Margaret Goldfarb   Production Coordination
Bob Gaudio   Composer
Bob Crewe   Composer