Adeva! Ultimate 4CD Set

By the late '80s/early '90s, house music had become a major focus in dance clubs, but was hardly a high priority of either major record companies or "urban contemporary" radio. Adeva, one of the few house/R&B divas to record for a major label, specializes in "deep house" -- a style that stresses vocal personality and makes the singer the focal point instead of the producer. Essentially, "deep house" is late-'70s disco/soul updated, and this self-titled debut leaves no doubt that the big-voiced Adeva's aggressive, gospel-influenced belting is a throwback to the days of Gloria Gaynor, Grace Jones, Linda Clifford, and Loleatta Holloway. When Adeva tears into such exhilarating neo-disco fare as "Promises," "Love Is Special," and "In & Out of My Life," it's clear that "deep house" is, for all intents and purposes, soul music. This CD boasts two versions of her inspired remake of the Otis Redding/Aretha Franklin hit "Respect," one of which features British rapper Monie Love. Unfortunately, Adeva! enjoyed little exposure outside of dance circles, and black radio generally ignored her in favor of considerably less talented singers like Paula Abdul and Nia Peeples. ~ Alex Henderson