Urban Renewal (tribute album)

Urban Renewal
Studio album by Various artists
Released	February 2001 (Europe) February 25, 2003 (United States)
Genre	R&B/Hip hop
Label	WEA
Singles from Urban Renewal
"Another Day in Paradise" Released: March, 2001 "In the Air Tonite" Released: August, 2001 "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven" Released: November, 2003

Urban Renewal is a tribute album to singer Phil Collins, released in 2001 in most European markets and in 2003 in the United States, containing remakes of his songs by R&B and hip hop performers. Collins remarked:

"We all think black R&B artists know what they're talking about. The first time I was aware of it was when I watched a documentary on Ice-T. This smug UK journalist looking at his record collection said, 'What's with all the Phil Collins stuff?' He said, 'Don't mess with my Phil.' I remember thinking, 'My God!' You feel like ringing people up and saying, 'Are you watching this?!'"^[1]

Although the album itself was not a worldwide success, only charting in Germany at number three, individual singles from the album performed well in various markets, including "Another Day in Paradise" as performed by Brandy and Ray J and "In the Air Tonite" as performed by rapper Lil' Kim. A remake by Deborah Cox, "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven", was later released as a dance remix on her 2003 album, Remixed. It reached number one on the Billboard Dance Radio Airplay chart and peaked at ninety-five on the Billboard Hot 100.

The chief pop and rock critic of The Guardian, Alexis Petridis, described it as a "horrid and inexplicable album of hip-hop and R&B covers" with the "solitary redeeming track" being the version of "Sussudio".^[2] In 2006, Q magazine listed Urban Renewal as No. 3 in their list of the 50 worst albums ever.^[3]

Track listing

1. "Ray J Prelude" - Ray J
2. "Another Day in Paradise" - Brandy and Ray J
3. "Sussudio" - Ol' Dirty Bastard
4. "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven" - Deborah Cox
5. "This Must Be Love" - Dane Bowers featuring Kelis
6. "In the Air Tonite" - Lil' Kim featuring Phil Collins
7. "Gotta Hold Over Me" - Coko
8. "I Don't Care Anymore" - Kelis
9. "Can't Turn Back the Years" - Joe
10. "Do You Remember?" - Debelah Morgan
11. "Against All Odds" - Montell Jordan
12. "One More Night" - Changing Faces
13. "All of My Life" - TQ
14. "I Wish It Would Rain Down" - Brian McKnight and Monique S.V.
15. "Take Me Home" - Malik Pendleton

References

1. ↑ White, Terri: "Cash for questions", Q, December 2014, pp30–33
2. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (9 November 2001). "They are not worthy". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 5 November 2016. 
3. ↑ "Q – The 50 Worst Albums Ever!". Q Magazine (238). May 2006. Retrieved 2012-01-17.