POP MUSIC REVIEW : Miki Howard a Secret No Longer

For years, singer Miki Howard, who performed at the Strand in Redondo Beach Thursday night, has been one of the best-kept secrets in R&B.;

Recently, though, she’s started to emerge as a commercial force. Her first of two sold-out Thursday shows, was first-rate, despite an excess of old R&B; revue cliches. But her singing--which is thoroughly gospel and jazz-influenced--was so impressive that other minor flaws didn’t matter much.

Howard, supported by a sextet and three backup singers, has very warm, sensual tone that was particularly effective on ballads. Unlike many talented R&B; singers, she’s not a show-off and, though she has a wide range, she never flaunted it. The oldie “Imagination”--awash with stunning jazz inflections--was her most absorbing number.

With her most recent album, “Miki Howard,” featuring such hit singles as “Ain’t Nuthin’ in the World,” she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves, though she has made better albums--1987’s “Love Confessions,” for instance. But even when she was relatively unknown, those who knew about her always rated her with the best females in the business--Anita Baker, Chaka Khan and Regina Belle. This show confirmed that status.