Think Like A Girl

Though it's understandable why Diana wanted to work with Giloh Morgan, "Wine Yu Waist" can't measure up to his sibling enterprises with Debelah. The lead vocal is super, though.

Respect is so urbane, those who say Diana's Yankified will have more fuel for their weenie roasts. Like her previous album, it was recorded in New York City with nearly all vocals (and harmonies) by Diana, who is well up to the task.

She demonstrates her talent and breadth, her command of a song. And while one could have hoped for a more varied selection or more Reggae, but Diana is still King of my domain.

THINK LIKE A GIRL

Diana King's second album, Think Like a Girl [Work, 1997, 13, 50.22], is wonderful. I feel you should buy it and listen for yourself, but I suppose you'll want to be persuaded.

I saw the video for "Shy Guy" and heard it in the "Bad Boys" film. The album, Tougher Than Love, matched the single's excitement. There's a great cover of "Ain't Nobody." All the other tunes, including "Shy Guy," are co-written by Diana. It's danceable, it's infectious.

Having heard her cover (more like rediscover) of "I Say a Little Prayer," I couldn't wait for her new album. Now it's here and I'm enthralled. Ordinarily, I'd be upset that they don't use a drummer, but I must admit I didn't realise it until I read the notes. The syn playing is just that good. They don't even use a bass guitar. And that's tough on-a de reggae music.

There's another cover on the album, "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" by Boy George and others. (Is Boy George the counterpart of Georgie Girl?) The arrangement is so original, I didn't recognise it at first.

Diana shines on songs she has co-written. The title song is full of pithy, yet witty, lines. "You give mi a minute/ when me want it all night." I think I read about that problem somewhere. It doesn't stop there. "A girl needs emotion/ A man's a locomotion." She says it better than that inane Men are from Hunger, Women drive Saturns or whatever. But there's more. Her wisest observation: "A girl needs a best friend/ A man needs television." I thought television was my best friend, at least the remote. But I appreciate what Diana sings. And that's just the first cut.

More sage advice on "Love Yourself." It's certainly a platitude that you must love yourself before somebody can love you, but reggaes often draw on old sayings to great effect. Just off the top of my head, there's Marley's "Who The Cap Fit," on Rastaman Vibration. "Love Yourself" also moves on a powerful melody, and it's not as if we don't need to be reminded.