Mar 2007

By 1998, Mariah Carey had sold countless millions of records, scoring a steady stream of hits to the extent a compilation of her No.1 singles was in the offing. The album comprises 13 chart topping singles (averaging out at about 3 per album) a phenomenal feat in just over 8 years, in addition to 5 new/unheard tracks.

For many, #1's will serve as blissful trip down memory lane. Included are her groundbreaking early 90's ballads "Love Takes Time", "Emotions" and "Someday", her "Music Box" classics "Hero", "Dreamlover" and "Vision Of Love" as well as her unforgettable acoustic version of "I'll Be There" from MTV Unplugged featuring Trey Lorenz. Her mid 90's chart toppers include "Always Be My Baby", "Fantasy (remix)" featuring O.D.B. and therecord breaking "One Sweet Day" featuring Boyz II Men which spent an unprecedented 16 weeks atop the Billboard Top 100. Butterfly was her prior release to this compilation and #1s from that album included were "Honey" and "My All" as well as an alternative version of "Whenever You Call" featuring Brian McKnight. Other new releases included were "Sweetheart", produced by and featuring Jermaine Dupri, "I Still Believe" and the Whitney Houston duet "When You Believe".

#1's is a testament to Carey's outstanding achievements, a showcase of her incredible vocal talent and her remarkable ability to hit unfathomably high notes. A must have for fans or those less familiar with her earlier work, reaffirming her as the definitive diva of the 90s.

Folahan Adegoke, HMV Head Office

Blessed with a voice that covers more of a range than anyone this side of Minnie Riperton, and a knack for ingratiating, breezy pop/R&B, Mariah Carey became one of the premier pop divas of the '90s. For those who were hibernating during that decade, #1's lays it all out in an easily digestible format, presenting Carey's biggest and best under one roof. From the inspirational message of the poignant ballad "Hero" to the roots nod of "I'll Be There" (with impressive assistance from Trey Lorenz), it's clear that Carey has charisma to match her chops. On the infectious, almost giddy "Dream Lover" she voices her romantic desires so sweetly that the listener is moved by the urge to jump into the track on a white horse and whisk her off to some mythological paradise. Now that's the mark of a convincing singer.

Personnel: Mariah Carey, JD, Whitney Houston, Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men, O.D.B., Trey Lorenz (vocals); Michael Thompson (guitar); Eric Rigler (U-Union pipes, whistles); Greg Phillinganes (piano); Babyface (keyboards, drum programming); Nathan East (bass); Ricky Lawson (drums); Sheila E. (percussion); Clarence, Mase, Shanrae Price, Partrique McMillan, Geno Morris, David Cole, Mary Ann Tatum, Kevon Edmonds, Nathan Walton, Mark Kibble, Melvin Edmonds, Daryl Hawes, J. Valentine, Vearline Board, Joy Enriquez, Dion Allen, Peach, Lynn Davis, Syretha Smith, Sharlotte Gibson, Shanice Wilson, Krystal Wilson, Tavia Ivey, Kenya Ivey, Lisa Ivey, Nathan Ivey (background vocals).
The Darryl Douglas Workshop Company: Kelly Price, Cheree Price, Melonie Daniels, Peggy Harley, Liz Stewart, Spencer Washington, Henry Casper (background vocals).
Producers include: Mariah Carey, Walter Afanasieef, Babyface, Jermaine Dupri, Narada Michael Walden.
Engineers include: Dana Jon Chapelle, Jay Healy, Phil Tan.
Digitally remastered by Bob Ludwig.
Blessed with a voice that covers more of a range than anyone this side of Minnie Riperton, and a knack for ingratiating, breezy pop/R&B, Mariah Carey became one of the premier pop divas of the '90s. For those who were hibernating during that decade, #1's lays it all out in an easily digestible format, presenting Carey's biggest and best under one roof. From the inspirational message of the poignant ballad "Hero" to the roots nod of "I'll Be There" (with impressive assistance from Trey Lorenz), it's clear that Carey has charisma to match her chops. On the infectious, almost giddy "Dream Lover" she voices her romantic desires so sweetly that the listener is moved by the urge to jump into the track on a white horse and whisk her off to some mythological paradise. Now that's the mark of a convincing singer.

With her multi-octave voice and more than 80 million records sold worldwide, it's no surprise that pop diva Mariah Carey is viewed as the successor to Whitney Houston. She emerged as the premier R&B/pop songstress of the 1990s, and by the end of the decade had shifted gears a bit by collaborating with the likes of Ol' Dirty Bastard and incorporating elements of hip-hop into her sound. Though her 2001 big-screen debut, GLITTER, was a total flop and something of a blow to Carey's seemingly Teflon career, her 2005 comeback record, THE EMANCIPATION OF MIMI, solidified her status as a true pop-music diva.