R&B Love Collection 2009

As with UMTV U.K.’s past annual R&B Love Collection compilations, “love” is used loosely. This two-disc set, dominated by R&B and rap singles that were popular during 2008 and 2009 (with some older ringers), isn’t exactly ballad-centric, or even that much of a Valentine’s Day accessory. There are some slower, truly romantic songs, like Chrisette Michele’s “What You Do,” College Park’s “Got the Love,” and Babyface’s “I Need a Love Song,” but it would be a major stretch to call a number of the other inclusions -- Fabolous’ “Throw It in the Bag,” Cascada’s “Evacuate the Dancefloor,” and Jay-Z’s “Change Clothes” (the oldest song here), for instance -- love songs. All in all, a decent R&B/rap round-up circa 2008/2009.