Songstress
Baker's deservedly obscure 1983 debut was reissued in 1991, long after her 1986RaptureCD had garnered a Grammy and established her as a sophisticated, sensuous balladeer. Baker's smoky alto is recognizable enough, but it lacks the emotional immediacy and dramatic phrasing of her later work. The best track here is obviously "Angel," which sounds like a less polished version of Baker's breakthrough hit, "Sweet Love." Otherwise, Baker fans will wince at the turgid arrangement of "Feel the Need," and chuckle over the kitsch horror of Baker trying to negotiate her way through the swirling clutter of the postdisco dance track "Squeeze Me." For completists only.--Britt Robson