Brand New Me
Taking the artist to Philadelphia for the follow-up toDusty in Memphiswas an apt musical choice; Philly kingsKenny Gamble and Leon Huffand Thom Bell, all involved inA Brand New Me, were perfecting a pop-soul fusion closely related to that album's breakthroughs. While the material here isn't quite up toMemphis's standard, it's good enough to allow Dusty's softer side, and the lush arrangements meld for a small masterpiece. Among the bonus tracks is the overdubbed 45-rpm version of the terrific Memphis outtake "What Do You Do When Love Dies."--Rickey Wright