Certain albums you keep and listen to for years. Others are fun for a week, maybe a month; then they get boring and sit and collect dust, or get pawned off on a friend or at a CD exchange.
This is true even with styles of music you like very much. If the artist doesn't do anything special with the style, that album is headed out.Of the following half-dozen R&B albums, a few are keepers, while others are not worth the precious space they would occupy on the shelf.
REGINA BELLE; "Passion" (Columbia). * * * 1/2
Regina Belle's "Passion" is one of the gems, worth spinning over and over.
Belle may be best known so far for her duet with Peabo Bryson, "A Whole New World," the theme from "Aladdin," which is included here. And while this collection probably won't provide her with any other mainstream mega-hits, it is a nice example of sophisticated soul/R&B, and should give her renown for more than a Disney theme.
No particular song struck me when I first listened to "Passion," but the album offered good mood music at the time and I've since grown quite fond of it. Overall, there is not one song to skip over - a good sign. And I have picked out a few favorites.
One is "I Dream in Color," a stirring song about living life fully, a message conveyed in both words and music. Belle sings with gusto and heart, making us feel that she really lives her life by this philosophy.
"If I Could" voices a wish that she could do more for the children in her life. Belle would like to shield them from many of the difficulties ahead, but knows that she can't because "the part of life I gave you isn't mine." Her children must tackle some things by themselves.
The album's overall theme is passions of life, romance as well as other strong feelings, "the cause of completely illogical behavior," as she says at the beginning. Some tracks are fine "quiet time" songs; others are heartfelt expressions of love for children and life and the desire that all the world could be united in "One Love."
The liveliest tune on the album is "Tango in Paris," a song with strong movement and beat. It's highly danceable, but playfully seductive enough that it's most fit for a private - not a crowded - dance floor.
"Heaven's Just a Whisper Away" is a romantic number, thought not along the sweet and innocent lines of the "Aladdin" theme.
"Passion" is an album perfect for those who like sophisticated, soulful mood music along the lines of Natalie Cole or Anita Baker. The melodies and ideas are meant for an adult audience in search of bright, emotional music with some meat to it.
MICA PARIS; "Whisper a Prayer" (Island). * * *
Paris' new album is a keeper, too, although it took me longer to decide that than was the case with Regina Belle's. I've found I'm inclined to pick up "Whisper a Prayer" for a bit of fun listening. Paris shows originality and heart in this set, which leans toward Top 40 pop.
The title song, already requested for radio play, is one of the album's pretty ballads. Others with heart include "Can't Seem to Make Up My Mind" and "Too Far Apart." The latter adds nice melodic variety and a thoughtful theme about growing apart too far to recover the distance.
Another four or five songs are standard pop - not too slow, not too fast. They tend to make a listener smile, sing and move the upper body around without getting into a major jam. The selections are varied and enjoyably listenable.
MALAIKA; "Sugar Time" (A&M). * *
Alas, Malaika's "Sugar Time" is destined to be pushed into a corner to collect dust. The album has a party-friendly atmosphere, but in general it lacks originality. The songs - typical soul/dance music - fail to show off any distinctive talent that Malaika may have. Let's hear some variety, some heart, some soul, some personality!
Too much of the music on "Sugar Time" is repetitive and generic - tracks to push the fast-forward button on. The title cut is not notable. It and a few others tend to grate on the nerves about a minute in, while others, such as "Gotta Know (Your Name)," are diverting, if not very original.
The best of the bunch, "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)," shows potential not otherwise met. It has a prominent jazz trumpet, and the song itself sets the feet tapping and fingers snapping - a cute, upbeat, good-feeling throwback to the '50s and '60s that brings on smiles of delight.
LUTHER VANDROSS; "Never Let Me Go" (Epic). * * *
Vandross delivers the goods with his smooth romantic tunes. "Never Let Me Go" is another keeper.
The medley of "How Deep Is Your Love" and "Never Let Me Go" is a classic combination, romantic and deliberate but upbeat. "Lady, Lady" is a good example of the overall tenor of the songs on this album. It is not a slow ballad but a happy love song with rhythm. It almost seems that Vandross teases a little in his tunes.
"Little Miracles" has a religious emphasis - observing that miracles happen in our lives every day, with a melody and words that will convince many a listener that Vandross is right in his assertion.
JAMES INGRAM; "Always You" (Warner Bros.). * * *
Ingram's new collection is a keeper because it's so listenable, not because any of the songs is particularly remarkable. Albums so consistently pleasant and enjoyable are ones that shouldn't be let go.
When I want to complete a task or spend some time with a friend or sweetheart, and want some soothing, pleasant background music, I don't want to have to get up and fast forward through a song that breaks that mood. "Always You" is appropriate for just that sort of purpose, if not for more intent listening.
JOHNNY GILL; "Provocative" (Motown). * * 1/2
"Provocative" is exactly that: sultry, hot - and typical Johnny Gill. He doesn't try to hide the fact that his music is sexy. This is the main difference between him and singers like Vandross and Ingram. The latter two are seductive; they want to lure their women more subtly. Gill is blatant.
"Provocative" will stay around awhile because a few songs are great to dance to and make for a great jam. The title tune and "Floor" in particular are irresistible - the feet really do hit the floor on these two.
TONY TONI TONE; "Sons of Soul" (PolyGram). * 1/2
This 691/2-minute album drags on forever, though Tony Toni Tone might not care. They'd probably say of the reviewer, "She's just a boring white girl who doesn't appreciate our style." Could be. Someone uninterested in or uninformed about classical music could say the same about Beethoven's Ninth.
But the point here is I coudln't wait for the CD to be over so I could move on to something else. The most entertainment to be found here is maybe laughing at the more outrageous, almost off-color lyrics.
"Sons of Soul" is simply unremarkable. And despite its title, there is very little sincere soul on the album.
RATINGS: four stars (* * * * ), excellent; three stars (* * * ), good; two stars (* * ), fair; one star (* ), poor, with 1/2 representing a higher, intermediate grade.