Comments for Belle, Regina, Reachin' Back

A shamefully overlooked release from one of today`s most spectacular pop/soul vocalists. This collection of 70`s soul favorites is a delight from beginning to end. "Could it Be I`m Falling in Love," with its hip-house production and stellar vocals over an unstoppable Spinners hook, should have been a major pop single; ditto for another Spinners gem, "I`ll Be Around." The rest of the release consists of ballads, but don`t expect any tracks to resemble each other. Regina turns up the heat on the sultry "Love T.K.O.," backed with a insistent ballad beat, while "You Make Me Feel Brand New" (another missing hit single) glides by on a smooth pop groove. "The Whole Town`s Laughing at Me" lets Regina unleash her gospel roots, and "Didn`t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" closes out the album with a smooth and classy finish courtesy of a beautifully understated acoustic arrangement. "Reachin` Back" not only contains fine selections for its nostalgia trip (not the typical overplayed disco remakes most artists choose) but also boasts superior performances. "Reachin` Back" is a wonderfully produced trip down memory lane that no one should miss.