Dr. Dolittle 2 - Soundtrack [CD]

The beat-filled soundtrack to the movie Dr. Dolittle 2 is a world away from the songs in the original Dr. Dolittle, featuring Rex Harrison, and his theme song, "If I Could Talk to the Animals." So, instead of sweet child-like ditties about talking animals, this collection is jammed with urban soul singers, superstar rappers and hip-hoppers -- and includes one unlikely, decidedly un-urban music surprise.

Jumping off with The Product G&B with Wyclef, "Cluck Cluck," isn't exactly about chickens, rather it's about a "chick" -- a "mother hen" to be exact. The song has a familiar Wyclef-style acoustic guitar-based jam at the foundation of its breezy and light spirited island-style melody, which one has to presume means it's all in good fun. On the otherside of the fence, Deborah Cox lays it down in "Absolutely Not," a bumpin' urban/Latin flavored track with a fierce "no means no" message.

The hip-hop triumvirate, R.L., Snoop Dogg and Lil' Kim team up for the Dolittle theme, "Do U Wanna Roll," with its old-school dancefloor beat and a borrowed riff from a record by '80s-era dancefloor kings, Zapp. Another jam with tons happening above and beyond the clever Slick Rick sample beneath it is "What It Is (Part II)" by Flipmode Squad featuring Busta Rhymes and Kelis; blink and risk missing some of the action loaded into the mix! Hitmaker Alicia Keys turns in the smooth urban and nearly Latin dance track, "Rear View Mirror" while old-school R&B vocal master Luther Vandross takes his turn for a the super-full-of-sweet-soul ballad, "If I Was the One."

One of the most surprising and atypical songs on the album is "Life Is Good." A slice of beat-driven pop by LFO with M.O.P. who take some sugary pop and put a light hip-hop spin on the basic alternative track. Similar in spirit to the light-hearted, ska inspired pop of Smashmouth or Sugar Ray. Medeiros takes the collection out with a soulful, acoustic love song, "If I Knew."

With additional tracks in a light-urban/hip-hop groove, the soundtrack to the summer movie Dr. Dolittle 2 suits the mood for a balmy summer night at home on the porch swing or on the beach in a tropical paradise. A perfect accompaniment to a perfect summer scene, where the animals can talk, of course!

By Dolly Starkey