Straight From My Heart (Expanded Edition)

by Stephen Thomas ErlewinePebbles was at the height of her career in the late '80s, when she was following in the footsteps of Paula Abdul as a lightweight dance-pop diva. For most of the early '90s, her career had suffered as R&B fashions changed, embracing a harder, hip-hop influenced sound. With Straight from the Heart, Pebbles attempts to fit into the sound of the mid-'90s and the results are surprisingly successful. Although Pebbles' voice has improved over the years, developing into a seductive, silky instrument, Straight from the Heart is more of a showcase for her producers (including Puffy Combs and Organized Noize) than the singer herself. Featuring elements of jazz, funk, and hip-hop, the record is a diverse and soulful catalog of contemporary R&B; even when the songwriting is weak, the record sounds first-rate. Straight from the Heart may not have any single as strong as "Mercedes Boy," but it ranks among Pebbles' most consistent efforts.