Regina Belle

This Is Regina follows in the traditional Regina Belle formula: lush, sophisticated quiet storm ballads, augmented by Belle's strong, warm, elegant, inviting vocals. The album steers clear of anything too adventurous, which is just fine, because Belle's fans have come to love her for her reliability as an old friend who returns every few years with a fresh set of new, yet familiar songs. The album begins with the pleasantly sexy "Oooh Boy," then leads into a several pretty ballads, notably the sweeping "From Now On," which recalls her American chart-topper "A Whole New World." Highlights include the funky, smooth, sexy "Don't Wanna Go Home Now," which could be safely classified as adult contemporary club music and recalls Koffee Brown's 2001 hit "After Party." "Johnny's Back" is an endearing, shuffling little tune about, well, Johnny coming home, and possesses a warm, adult innocence rare in popular music. The album also features a more modern-sounding tune, "La Da Di," which, for better or worse, brings to mind Destiny's Child and features a rap courtesy of MC Lyte. In short, save for a few left turns, this adequately titled album is pure Regina Belle and will undoubtedly please the sophisticated songstress' many fans. ~ Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide