January 9 - 16, 1 9 9 7
[Music Reviews]
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*** MIISA

(NMC)

Debut singer Miisa, from Finland, stars in one of the year's best diva-styled CDs. Eurobeats, house grooves, and actressy slow songs all work even though there isn't much soulfulness in her careful singing and no vulnerability at all -- which means no drama. Credit Cris Owen, who, as Miisa's producer, serves up soft melodies and crisp rhythms. His feel for the enticements underlying every dance-music cliché brings her solid sendings directly to the center. Because he knows how to play up the niceties of Eurobeat ("All or Nothing," "How Will I Know"), the froth of happy house ("Hold On," "Get Ready") and dream dance ("P.F.B."), funky sleaze's sweaty progressions ("Heart to Heart"), and diva fire ("Get On the Move"), he ensures that when Miisa's singing does leap into one of his resolute mixes there's never a moment's doubt where she wants to go or what she's after -- or that she, truly a diva, relishes being forceful in the spotlight.

-- Michael Freedberg