Rhonda Clark: Tabu Re-born Expanded Edition

Another fine set of urban-contemporary entries, the ever-soulful Rhonda Clark's sophomore outing cuts down a bit on producer variety, despite being three tracks longer. Ironically, the end result is more commercial than Between Friends. Up-tempo tracks such as "Let Your Mind Do the Lovin'" and "Real Man," both produced by Chuckie Howard (who also worked on Friends), lack the zing and charisma of previous tracks like "The Way You Are" and "Does That Make a Man." Still, there is plenty of enjoyment to be found in the summery groove "Saving All My Lovin'" or the plush ballad "Tomorrow," and the singer's abundant power comes around full-swing on remakes of "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right" and "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)." Additionally, kudos are in order for the team of Gerald Levert and Marc Gordon for employing the least amount of production tactics with her voice, enabling her unique phrasing and ad-libbing to shine through fully. Zac Harmon and Christopher Troy's contributions are impressive, but lack a certain personable element that Clark works with very well. On the whole, all the elements don't come together as amazingly as on Between Friends, but Clark is still in full form here and makes this self-titled set a well-warranted listen. ~ Justin M. Kantor|