A handful of iconic R&B albums were released in 1988, including two on the very same day. On June 20, 1988, MCA Records – in a stroke of Black Music Month genius – dropped both New Edition’s Heart Break and Bobby Brown’s Don’t Be Cruel. Both albums were instant classics, applauded by critics and beloved by fans alike. However, Don’t Be Cruel catapulted Brown to superstardom and went on to become a multiplantinum smash. Now, 35 years after its making it debut, the album is getting a definitive deluxe edition reissue to commemorate this landmark anniversary.
Bobby Brown’s Don’t Be Cruel (35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) will be released on Iconoclassic Records in June. The two-disc collection will include the original album with its five hit singles (“Don’t Be Cruel,” “My Prerogative,” “Roni,” “Every Little Step” and “Rock Wit’cha”), “On Our Own” from the Ghostbusters II soundtrack, remixes and rarities, some of which were previously unreleased and unavailable until now.
Disc 1 will house a total 17 tracks and include the original album and bonus cuts, while Disc 2 will feature 11 tracks, all of which are remixes. This project boasts remastering by Donald Cleveland and includes liner notes written by music journalist Craig Seymour.
This reissue sounds like an epic release fit for the King Of R&B from the era when he was at the apex of his career and earned that title. Don’t Be Cruel (35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) will drop on June 16th in digital and physical formats. View the double disc’s complete tracklist below, and pre-order the set now on Amazon.
Bobby Brown Don’t Be Cruel (35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) tracklist:
Disc 1:
1. Cruel Prelude
2. Don’t Be Cruel
3. My Prerogative
4. Roni
5. Rock Wit’cha
6. Every Little Step
7. I’ll Be Good to You
8. Take It Slow
9. All Day All Night
10. I Really Love You Girl
11. Cruel Reprise
12. We’re Back
13. On Our Own (Without Rap) +
14. My Prerogative (7” Edit) +
15. Every Little Step (with Rap)
16. Don’t Be Cruel (A Cappella)
17. Roni (Cussapella)
Disc 2:
1. Don’t Be Cruel (Promo Remix by Louil Silas, Jr.)
2. My Prerogative (Extended Remix)
3. Roni (Pebbarone Mix)
4. Rock Wit’cha (Quiet Storm)
5. Every Little Step (Uptown Mix)
6. On Our Own (Extended Club Version)
7. Don’t Be Cruel (Extended) (The Rapacious Mix)
8. My Prerogative (Joe T. Vannelli Light Mix)
9. Rock Wit’cha (Extended Version)
10. Roni (Extended Version)
11. Every Little Step (Extended Version)
