FILLING A DANCE GAP

“GAP BAND VI.” The Gap Band. Total Experience. The Gap Band became one of R&B;’s top groups on the strength of party hits like “Burn Rubber” and “Early in the Morning.” Nothing on this album has the impact and originality of those songs, both of which called for lead singer Charlie Wilson to play the part of a spurned lover: petulant, lovesick and mildly sinister. The grizzly-bear growl he affects on “Don’t You Leave Me” comes close, but doesn’t match the earlier dramatic flair.

Charlie has always been this L.A.-based singing family’s biggest asset. Along with writing and co-producing many of the band’s signature tunes, he also possesses one of the most distinctive voices in black pop. Like Michael Jackson, he relies heavily on off-the-wall sound effects. His yelps, howls, roars and loony, high-pitched giggles enliven dance tracks that would be fine without these lively trademarks--but Charlie’s vocal gymnastics make them even more memorable and fun.

Side 2 of this album contains the spunk, from “Beep a Freak,” with its goofy take on how to track down a wayward lover, to the dreamy, neo-classic noodlings on “The Sun Don’t Shine Everyday.” Especially good is “Disrespect,” with its potent rhythms, chant-like lyrics and Charlie’s command to “Dance , sucker!” This is a band that always sounds better when it snarls.