Talk about a sign of the times: Earlier in the decade, Neneh Cherry was a peripheral member of the postpunk warriors the Slits, then played anarchic funk with Ríp Rig and Panic. Now, on her solo debut, Cherry reappears as a hip-hop adventurer. Raw Like Sushi is an artsy interpretation of current dance styles that recognizes the music as today's most inventive and self-expressive form while...

In a couple of years, this album may well be heralded as a stylistic breakthrough. In the meantime, Homebrew, Neneh Cherry's second record, holds a stash of subtly addictive pleasures. Anyone who appreciates both alternative rock's indomitable spirit and hip-hop's life-affirming rhythms is bound to get hooked on Homebrew's unique sweet-and-sour taste.

On her first album, Raw Like Sushi...