MILLS MISSES

“STEPHANIE MILLS.” Stephanie Mills. MCA. A new Mills album these days doesn’t raise with the same anticipation that greeted her James Mtume/Reggie Lucas-produced records of the late ‘70s. That producer/songwriter team had a clearer understanding of her gutsy strengths as an R&B;/pop singer. They also had more consistent hit-making instincts than any of the guys who’ve been working with Mills lately. This album features the contributions of no fewer than five different producers, and none of them really has a handle on what to do with her. If re-teaming Mills with Mtume/Lucas is impossible, isn’t there some hot young producer around who can give her the first-rate sound and material she needs?