Ten years ago, Howard Hewett's voice virtually ruled the airwaves and dance floors. Shalamar was a fairly anonymous studio group until Hewett took over the reins as lead singer in 1979. During the brief, brilliant heyday of Solar Records in the early Eighties, Shalamar was that label's pop-soul standard-bearer. Hewett, Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniels mixed old-fashioned harmonies with New Wave fashion statements, while the group's producers updated the Philly Sound with synthesized flash and a fresh beat. Howard Hewett recaptures some of Solar's infectious, progressive spirit. This may be his third album, but Howard Hewett's solo career begins here.

Trading Utopian pleas for freedom with guest vocalist Anita Baker on the album's stately opening track, "When Will It Be," Hewett emerges as an equally distinct stylist. Characteristically, he digs in and testifies about two-thirds of the way through every song, and his gospel conviction is unquestionable – whether he's pitching woo ("Show Me") or dripping honeyed regret ("If I Could Only Have That Day Back").

Working with several producers, Hewett displays both range and consistency across the album. On the self-produced cut "Let Me Show You How to Fall in Love," he may have even concocted a pop crossover complete with guitar solo – this is how a "power ballad" ought to sound. "I Do" and "The More I Get (the More I Want)" find Hewett reunited with Jeffrey Daniels and Shalamar producer Leon F. Sylvers III to great effect: The combination of gorgeous electronic textures, solid arrangements, melodic hooks and Hewett's articulate phrasing render even the rather routine lyrics indelible.

"Nobody will say it like I do," Hewett insists on the matrimonial "I Do," and he's not exaggerating by much. After all, even the most cliched lines about love and monogamy don't seem corny when somebody's saying them to you. And if this album is any indication, Howard Hewett will be delivering on his promises for quite some time to come. (RS 581)

MARK COLEMAN