Forceful Funk : * * * * <i> Great Balls of Fire</i> * * * <i> Good Vibrations</i> * * <i> Maybe Baby</i> * <i> Running on Empty : </i>

** 1/2 “GUESS WHO’S COMIN’ TO THE CRIB?” Full Force. Columbia. Best known as the composers/producers behind the giant crossover success of Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, Full Force is a forceful funk entity in its own right. Lisa Lisa makes an appearance on this album’s best track, “Take Care of Homework,” a hard-rocking exercise that borrows a melodic line from “Rock Creek Park,” a modest ‘70s black hit by the Blackbyrds. Full Force isn’t bashful about swiping entire lines and licks from past R&B; hits by artists ranging from the Spinners and James Brown to Earth, Wind & Fire. Call it plagiarism or just call it a prideful acknowledgement of soul music’s roots--a theme they touch upon in “Black Radio.” There’s a lot of anger in that song, as there is in blistering man-to-woman tirades like “All in My Mind,” “Katty Women” and “Low Blow Brenda.” This isn’t the group’s best album--their 1985 debut, “Full Force,” still holds that distinction--but it should satisfy the group’s converted fans.