VA - Crooklyn Vol. 1 OST [2018] + VA - Crooklyn Vol. 2 OST [2018] (2 x CDs)

SOUL FUNK

VA - Crooklyn Vol. 1 OST [2018] + VA - Crooklyn Vol. 2 OST [2018] (2 x CDs)

The Crooklyn soundtrack volumes, VA - Crooklyn Vol. 1 OST [2018] and VA - Crooklyn Vol. 2 OST [2018] are essential listening for anyone drawn to the soul-drenched textures of 1970s Black America. Originally tied to Spike Lee’s 1994 semi-autobiographical film, these compilations were reissued in 2018 by Universal Music, giving new life to a curated selection of R&B, funk, and soul classics that defined a generation.

Volume 1 is the more familiar of the two, packed with radio staples that once ruled the airwaves. The Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There,” The Chi-Lites’ “Oh Girl,” and Sly & The Family Stone’s “Everyday People” are just a few of the tracks that evoke the warmth of family gatherings, block parties, and late-night slow jams. It’s a lovingly sequenced set that mirrors the emotional highs and lows of the film’s narrative, with tracks chosen not just for popularity but for cultural resonance.

Volume 2 digs deeper. Less about hits, more about mood, it features rarities and deeper album cuts that reflect the grit and grace of Brooklyn life. Curtis Mayfield’s “Pusherman” adds a layer of streetwise tension, while The Spinners’ “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” and The Delfonics’ “La-La (Means I Love You)” bring lush harmonies and romantic melancholy. The sequencing here is more introspective, leaning into the quieter, more reflective corners of soul and funk.

Both volumes are notable for their analog warmth and historical fidelity. These aren’t just soundtracks; they’re curated cultural documents. The 2018 reissues maintain the original spirit while offering improved mastering and packaging, making them ideal for collectors and newcomers alike. Whether you lived through the era or are discovering it fresh, Crooklyn Vol. 1 and 2 deliver a soulful, street-level portrait of a time when music truly moved the people. (B)

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Track lists

Vol. 1

01 Crooklyn Dodgers, Buck Shot, Special Ed, Master Ace - Crooklyn (Crooklyn Soundtrack Version) 4:33

02 Staple Singers - Respect Yourself (Single Version) 4:52

03 Sly & The Family Stone - Everyday People 2:21

04 Curtis Mayfield - Pusherman 5:03

05 Persuaders - Thin Line Between Love and Hate 3:21

06 Joe Cuba, Cheo Feliciano - El Pito (I'll Never Go Back to Georgia) 5:35

07 Jackson 5 - ABC 2:58

08 Chi-Lites - Oh Girl 3:39

09 Spinners - Mighty Love 4:56

10 Jean Knight - Mister Big Stuff 2:50

11 Five Stairsteps - O-o-h Child 3:17

12 J.B.'s - Pass The Peas 3:10

13 Chambers Brothers - Time Has Come Today (Single Version) 4:52

14 Marc Dorsey - People Make The World Go Round (Crooklyn Soundtrack Version) 5:06

Vol. 2

01 Stylistics - People Make The World Go Round (LP Version) 6:27

02 Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) 2:39

03 Cymande - Bra 5:06

04 Stylistics - I'm Stone in Love With You 3:19

05 Sly & The Family Stone - Everybody is a Star 3:04

06 Jackson 5 - Never Can Say Goodbye 2:57

07 James Brown - Soul Power 4:24

08 Manu Dibango - Soul Makossa 4:26

09 Delfonics - La La (Means I Love You) 3:19

10 Staple Singers - I'll Take You There 4:33

11 Eddie Palmieri - Puerto Rico 7:01

12 Isaac Hayes - Theme From "Shaft" (Remastered 1991 Album Version) 3:16

13 Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tears of A Clown (Single Version) 3:03

14 Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now 2:46

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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