New Jack Swing isn’t known for it’s subtlety, but one of my favorite subtle innovations from this era is the use of ‘Yeah!,’ ‘Go!’ or ‘Hey!’ as programmed samples. “It Takes Two” possibly got there first, but it adds so much to tracks like “Motownphilly,” a hype man built right into the beat. The whole style is maximalist madness, the compressed mix of 80s dance music flattened even further and topped off with bonus samples and shuffle beats. I understand why it couldn’t sustain for long, but Teddy Riley, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis are damn geniuses; this is pop intended to shock and awe.