The urban contemporary and dance-pop scenes of the early 1990s were full of thin-voiced female singers with very limited ranges. But that approach obviously didn't interest
B Angie B, a big-voiced Oakland belter who came to Capitol Records by way of
MC Hammer's Bust It company. Produced by
Hammer and his associate Felton Pilate (a graduate of funk powerhouse
Con Funk Shun), this self-titled release unites hip-hop-type production with emotionally direct, down-home soul shouting. On cuts ranging from Pilate's "So Much Love" to decent covers of
the Emotions' "I Don't Want to Lose Your Love" and
Rufus & Chaka Khan's "Sweet Thing,"
Hammer's influence is hard to miss -- and yet,
Angie's own gospel-influenced personality comes through. Overall, this isn't an extraordinary disc, but it's spirited and honest. ~ Alex Henderson