An overview of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' formative 1984 to 1989 stint with EMI Records, What Hits? contains plenty of hits, including their first truly huge success, "Under the Bridge," from their 1991 debut on Warner Bros., Blood Sugar Sex Magic. Other highlights here, including 1990's "Show Me Your Soul" (which proves the band learned plenty from working with George Clinton on 1985's Freaky Styley), their superb cover of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground," and the feel-good funk of "Behind the Sun," show the Peppers paved the way for a school of alt bands who melded funk with rock riffs. There are plenty other less-celebrated moments from the Peppers' early days that shine on their own, and only a few self-indulgent clunkers (what drove them to such a dismal performance of Jimi Hendrix's "Fire"?). This collection will suffice for the casual fan who needs a quick intro to the Peppers' history. --Lorry Fleming