Like fellow U.K. soul singer
Beverley Knight,
Mica Paris has never quite captured the record-buying public's imagination in the way that her impressively powerful vocal talents suggest she should have. With
Paris now more high-profile than ever, thanks to her presenting role on BBC fashion show What Not to Wear and DJ slot on Radio 2's Soul Solutions, her sixth studio album, Born Again, is a chance to rectify this situation. Lead single "Baby Come Back Now," written by
James Morrison, is an authentic Northern soul-influenced toe-tapping stomper that is more than a match for
Duffy's chart-topping "Mercy"; the title track is a gorgeous empowering urban ballad, originally intended for
Whitney Houston's comeback; and "Hold On" is a melodic slice of acoustic pop with a slight country influence reminiscent of
Gabrielle's recent Nashville reinvention. But the several cover versions are where
Paris' engaging and controlled vocals really shine through. The contemporary R&B of Eric Benet's "You're the Only One" and
Keyshia Cole's "I Remember" are given a sophisticated and timeless
Anita Baker-esque treatment, while "Summertime" is a stunning bluesy rendition of the
George Gershwin standard, recorded live at the Royal Opera House. A stripped-back acoustic performance of her '80s signature hit "My One Temptation" is pleasant enough, but slightly unnecessary, while "The Hardest Thing" is a misguided attempt at
Anastacia-style disco-pop that suggests
Paris is far more comfortable when tackling less chart-friendly material. While Born Again's title promises a drastic reinvention, in reality it's the same kind of retro-influenced soul she's produced over the last 20 years. But even though it won't catapult her into the stratosphere, it still cements her reputation as one of the U.K.'s most underrated and gifted soul vocalists. ~ Jon O'Brien