Phoebe Snow has never been a woman content to follow fashion when her talent's at stake. Frustrated with the music business, the gifted vocalist with the shimmering alto voice and impeccable phrasing pulled up stakes following 1981's Rock Away.

On Something Real, a thoughtful reflection on grown-up love affairs, Snow breaks her silence with songs that are as tasteful and challenging as she is, From the opening notes of the title track, Snow is in control, brushing up against a bright acoustic guitar and giving way to a swelling saxophone.

And even though her voice is feathery, there's a flesh-and-blood bottom that lends her a sensuousness, making her performances on "Touch Your Soul" and "If I Can Just Get Through the Night" positively transfixing. Even on the throwaway reworking of the Emotions' 1977 hit "Best of My Love," Snow pits her fiery voice against a funk-lite arrangement and comes out a winner for sheer exuberance. And that's the album's gravest sin.

Borrowing liberally from jazz, folk and rock, Snow is once again weaving a sound that is distinctly her own. Quite simply, Phoebe Snow has never sounded better. (RS 554)

HOLLY GLEASON