Disappearing Acts (2000 Film)
Like the characters who inhabit the world of author Terry McMillan'snoveland the film based on it, many of the 15 R&B; and hip-hop tracks assembled on thisSoundtrackpulse with wistful longing, their seemingly calm veneers masking a host of tumultuous emotions. From the lazy finger snaps that give way to the husky vocals singerAngie Stonewraps around a languid groove on "Get to Know You Better," the album's opener, it's clear that this is a collection meant to evoke both the anguish and salvation love wreaks on souls. On "Remember," a cut contributed byMe'shell Ndegeocello, the singer's gravelly alto practically seethes with lust as she whispers "You're so damn fine" to a lover, while the inclusion of soul legendDonny Hathaway'sdevastating rendition of "A Song for You" resonates with the purity of a soul engulfed in passion. East Coast hip-hoppersSpookscontribute two tracks, and one can't help but enjoy the quirky, whimsical funk of "Flesh Not Bone," with its playful bounce and infectious humor. And when forever-divine soul divaChaka Khanputs her two cents in with the slow, bittersweet ballad "Have a Little Faith in Me," and unleashes her magnificent vocals over a wash of quivering  strings during the song's bridge, the results are stunning, a  shining expression of both redemption and faith.--Sylvia W. Chan