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List Price: $9.98 | | Label: Mca
Salesrank: 12698
Released: October 25, 1990 |
| Our Price: $4.39 |
| Used Price: $1.23 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Don't Be Cruel Track Listing:
1. Cruel Prelude
2. Don't Be Cruel
3. My Prerogative
4. Roni
5. Rock Wit'cha
6. Every Little Step
7. I'll Be Good to You
8. Take It Slow
9. All Day All Night
10. I Really Love You Girl
11. Cruel Reprise
Editorial Review:
No Description Available.
Genre: Soul/R&B
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 27-APR-1990
Description of Don't Be Cruel:
Although his first solo record tanked, this release looked like the beginning of a superstar career. Brown, a former lead vocalist with New Edition (he was replaced by Johnny Gill, but both men participate in most NE reunions) has an appealing, if somewhat grainy, voice. It's a good match for the hip-hop beats that underpin some of the best songs here, especially "My Prerogative," which at the time sounded like an anthem. His ability to deftly merge R&B's upscale and hip-hop street esthetic (both Teddy Riley and Babyface produce tracks on this CD) changed the role of the rake hero. Sadly, this was Brown's lone significant musical moment as a solo artist. Except for marrying Whitney Houston, his life since has become a skein of self-destructive activities. --Martin Johnson
Don't Be Cruel Reviews:
Classic Bobby stuff 
2009-03-17 - After the teen-carrier with New Edition, before the New Jack Swing-classic Bobby album and a terrible marriage with Whitney... this stuff will make it last forever. I'm reading the title of the tracks, and every song is classic: the great up-tempo hits "Don't Be Cruel", "Every Little Step" and "My Prerogative" (greater than Britney's), and slow & sexy songs "Roni" and "Rock Wit'cha". The sounds of the 80's were mixed with the flavour of the 90's. I remember that time rhythm was rhythm, RnB was a music style, not the crashes of hammer, and mellow was real mellow. If we look at the list of the collaborators, we see the name of LA & Face, Teddy & Aaron, the beautiful Karyn White. So never forget where the style came from...
it will be good to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
2008-08-03 - this cd is the prime example of the late 80's............you cannot go wrong with this album. this is a true definition of "NEW JACK SWING ERA" my favorite track is the very underrated track "I'LL BE GOOD"............when you hear it you gone have to bust a groove. but this album you won't regret it. teddy riley and bobby brown is like batman and robin.
Beating the odds
2008-05-07 - Bobby Brown was not expected to achieve such massive success upon his departure from New Edition. Leaving the group proved to be a great move in the end. His sophomore album became a R&B soul/ New Jack Swing classic. It made an almost overnight impact on the music industry with spin-off singles "Every Little Step", "My Prerogative", the smooth ballad "Roni" and the standout title track. "Rock Witcha" also made a strong impact on the charts also becoming a slow jam classic (along with Roni). Who could ask for more from a guy who was never expected to reach such levels. You can't go wrong with this album.
Treat You Right
2007-12-23 - Sparking a solo career after leaving group New Edition, Bobby Brown makes second attempt by releasing Don't Be Cruel. The title track leads the LP off where Bobby showcases both his vocal and rhyming skills addressing how he would like to be treated. "My Prerogative" defines his decisions, attitude and story. A dance driven track highlighted by the deep toned keys and overall instrumentation. "Roni" stands as the foundation for this album. As his performance in the pitch of the lyrical arrangement "...if you believe in love and all that it can do for you..." set a plateau of expectations for the following "Rock Wit'cha" that did not disappoint. The songs "Every Little Step" and "I'll Be Good To You" regress back to his strength of dance tunes where his vocal tone is magnified by the production. Winding down for an intimate moment with dim lights as Mr. Brown sends roses on "Take It Slow" accompanied by a saxophone in the arrangement. Keeping the atmosphere dark on "All Day All Night" yields dawn for later. Collaborating with producers L.A. & Babyface on four of the album's tracks, Bobby added a personal touch of co-producing two and co-writing three songs. Maybe instead of using the first song as the album title "I'll Be Good To You" should have been the title.
Before Bobby Cracked Out........
2007-12-19 - He was actually a very good R & B artist! For most that were born around or after 1988, that may be hard for them to believe but in 1988-89, very few in that genre of music or any form of music in that time period was hotter than Bobby Brown.
His big hits from this album was "Don't Be Cruel", "Roni" and "My Perogative" but underrated tunes in my eyes were "I'll Be Good To You", "Every Little Step" and "I Really Love You Girl." "ELS", however, became a hit when Brown later had it remixed and added a little rap to it.
If you want an idea of what Bobby was like before his drug days or even Whitney Houston, then get this album. It'll also give you the flavor of what the New Jack Swing style was like back in the 80's.
