Jody Watley

Watley's sorely overlooked junior opus is the standout of all her '80s and '90s output. Combining the best of both of the artist's musical worlds, Affairs of the Heart supplies a handful of energetic dance numbers and a plentiful selection of quiet storm ballads. The result is a set that's much thicker and deeper than 1987's Jody Watley and 1989's Larger Than Life, while free of the lagging that occurred on 1993's Intimacy and 1995's Affection. Watley goes from etchy R&B-funk ("I Want You"), to classy house ("I'm the One You Need"), to inspirational pop ("It All Begins With You"), to 1960s Motown-inspired soul ("Stolen Moments"), all the while sounding enthusiastic and engrossed in the material. Co-writing nine of the album's 11 cuts, she is equally impressive in her lyrical scope: The moving honesty of "Until the Last Goodbye" centers around a troubled relationship on the verge of breaking up a family, while the core message of the distinctive title track is achieving peace and humility through the power of music and listening to one's heart. Additionally, Affairs of the Heart is notable for the fact that, even with five producers on board (including Watley herself), it maintains a solid consistency in its entirety. Nearly every song on the album stands strong on its own, too, making Affairs of the Heart the singer/songwriter/producer's finest effort. ~ Justin M. Kantor, All Music Guide