This came out in 2001 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
By all rights, this soundtrack to the Oscar-bait biopic of boxing legend Muhammad Ali oughta be a knockout — its card includes champions like Al Green, Aretha Franklin and Booker T & The MG’s, along with contenders like Angie Stone and Alicia Keys.
Truth is, this sluggish 15-round bout doesn’t go the distance. With a preponderance of anthemic, inspirational ballads, far too many tracks (like R. Kelly’s Hold On) float like a butterfly while only a few (like Everlast’s The Greatest) sting like a bee. And while the presence of the old-school heavyweights helps, reinterpreted classics like For Your Precious Love (by Truth Hurts) and Bring it on Home to Me (David Elliot) are as ridiculous as … well, the notion of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air playing the King of the World. Tale of the tape: Ali connects once in a while, but not enough to win on points.
