Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson is best known as the drummer of Philadelphia hip hop stars the Roots -- he's, y'know, the one with the enviable Afro and impeccable rhythm. He's also a DJ and a meticulous collector of records, which makes him the ideal compilation curator. His first attempt was with 2002's Babies Makin' Babies. The Sly Stone-referencing collection made the case for puppy love with rare soul songs from the likes of Bill Withers, Rufus & Chaka Khan, and Smokey Robinson. ?uestlove has returned to explore the heartache after the love has gone with BMB2, enlisting the help of such oracles as Natalie Cole, Al Green, Bobby Womack, and the former husband-and-wife team of Stevie Wonder and Syreeta. Even Jermaine Jackson pouts, "You're Supposed to Keep Your Love for Me," though when you name your kids such atrocities as Jermajesty, it's probably not easy to hold onto that romance. As sad sack as this theme may be, the music is actually rather uplifting.
