On
Just for You,
Gladys Knight is joined by some of the most successful producers in the urban contemporary field, including
George Duke,
Jimmy Jam &
Terry Lewis,
Babyface (who had parted company with
L.A. Reid) and
Attala Zane Giles. The result is a decent R&B/pop effort that, although not in a class with
Knight's classic Motown and Buddha recordings with
the Pips, has more strengths than weaknesses. The singer's voice had held up impressively well over the years, and she uses it advantageously on a superb cover of
the Impressions' 1969 classic "Choice of Colors" (clearly the highlight of the CD), as well as such memorable offerings as the gospel-influenced "Guilty" (a commentary on racism and sexism that makes its point without preaching) and the stirring ballad "Home Alone." The CD isn't essential, but it's generally honest, well-executed and satisfying. ~ Alex Henderson