Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls

Tyler Perry wrote and directed one of 2007's most moving romance films with Daddy's Little Girls. The story of an auto mechanic who falls in love with the attorney helping him to regain custody of his three daughters, it's appropriate that the film was released nationwide on Valentine's Day. It's equally fitting that an album of music inspired by the film is so musically and lyrically eloquent in its treatment of the subjects of romantic and familial love.

The lineup of artists appearing on this disc is simply outstanding: you know before you hit "Play" that this will be start-to-finish quality listening. And the R&B-soul mix is perfectly exploited to full emotional advantage by these great talents.

Perhaps the most intriguing track is the gorgeous piano ballad "Family First," on which Whitney Houston sings from the soul with members of her own family: most prominent among them being her mother Cissy and her cousin Dionne Warwick. A children's choir gives the chorus an added feeling of family.

Arguably the finest vocal performance of the set is "Step Aside" by Yolanda Adams. The gospel diva really cuts loose, climbing again and again to her upper register as if ascending the stairs to heaven itself -- such is the unmitigated passion with which she delivers her message of hope.

If there's a number to rival Adams' effort, it's Charles Moore's take on the Sam Cooke classic "A Change Is Gonna Come." An anthem of the civil rights era that parallels the theme of struggle in the film, Moore makes a great fist of a song that only the bravest of singers would dare perform... let alone record. The arrangements, including strings and brass, are nicely controlled, accentuating the vocals but never overwhelming them.

And yet, there's still much more here to treasure. Brian McKnight singing the gentle piano ballad "I Believe," Beyonc￩ melting hearts with the ultimate father-daughter song "Daddy," and R. Kelly exhibiting stunning vocal modulation on "Don't Let Go" to name but a few.

If it's soul-with-sweat you're looking for, you'll undoubtedly appreciate "Struggle No More" by Anthony Hamilton and "Blood, Sweat & Tears" by Governor (full name Governor Washington). The latter track has a Curtis Mayfield feel as Governor pours his travails out with maximum intensity.

How good is the music on Daddy's Little Girls? Well, if you get the album, you're almost definitely going to want to see the movie. These songs will start the cinematic reels turning in your mind's eye and stir up emotions like only great music can. Don't forget the popcorn... and tissues.

By Adrian Zupp