The Collection
When it comes to the domain of disco divas, Martha Wash reigns supreme, with a phenomenal, gospel-trained voice.The Martha Wash Collectionsamples her career from her pre-Weather Girls period--both "Taking Away Your Space" and "It's True I Do" are credited to Two Tons of Fun--up to her work with hit-machine C&C; Music Factory, though "Strike It Up" is the only Black Box-era track represented here.  Wash's vocals always embody the emotion of every song she blesses with her talent, from the warmth and passion of her lower registers to the high energy of her disco-siren wails. With the range and drama of the human experience Wash is able to evoke--and invoke--with her music, it's better to drop the limiting "disco" from the "disco diva" title. Just crown her diva. Period.  Purists might want to know that the version of the classic "It's Raining Men" that's included here has RuPaul standing in for Izora Armstead.--Steve Gdula