Love Jones (The Music) - various artists compilation soundtrack

 

Love Jones (stylized as love jones) is a 1997 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Theodore Witcher, in his feature film directing debut. The film stars Larenz Tate, Nia Long, Isaiah Washington, Bill Bellamy, and Lisa Nicole Carson.

The movie had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 17, 1997, where it tied with Hurricane Street for the Audience Award. It was released in the United States on March 14, 1997, by New Line Cinema.

The soundtrack was released on March 11, 1997, via Sony Music.  A 2022 essay published by the Criterion Collection stated that the soundtrack's reception helped renew interest in the film after its initial theatrical underperformance. The album features a blend of R&B, neo-soul, jazz, and spoken word, reflecting the film's poetic and intimate tone. It was a commercial success, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and reaching the top 20 of the Billboard 200. The album's standout track, "The Sweetest Thing" by Refugee Camp All-Stars featuring Lauryn Hill, became a hit single and marked one of her first musical releases outside of the Fugees. Maxwell's "Sumthin' Sumthin' (Mellosmoothe)" also gained lasting recognition and remains one of his most beloved deep cuts.

1 Larenz Tate– Brother To The Night (A Blues For Nina) - Darius' Poem 3:18

2 Dionne Farris– Hopeless 3:53

3 Refugee Camp All Stars Featuring Lauryn Hill– The Sweetest Thing 4:49

4 Refugee Camp All Stars Presents Melky And Day– I Got A Love Jones For You 3:38

5 Maxwell– Sumthin' Sumthin': Mellosmoothe (Cut) 4:12

6 Groove Theory– Never Enough 4:24

7 Trina Broussard– Inside My Love 4:13

8 Xscape– In The Rain 5:14

9 Cassandra Wilson– You Move Me 4:17

10 Marcus Miller & Me'Shell Ndegéocello– Rush Over 5:19

11 The Brand New Heavies– I Like It 3:34

12 Cassie – Girl 3:56

13 Kenny Lattimore– Can't Get Enough 3:59

14 The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra– Jelly, Jelly 5:46

15 Duke Ellington & John Coltrane– In A Sentimental Mood 4:14

16 Nia Long– I Am Looking At Music (Nina's Poem) 2:29

Love Jones (The Music)