Sophisticated Young Lady

SHANICE

“Inner Child”

Motown

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It’s easy for teen singers to get dismissed or lumped into the lightweight “bubble-gum” category. Shanice is one of a new breed of teen-age upstarts such as Tevin Campbell and Tracie Spencer who are recording hits as sophisticated and melodically complex as those of vocalists twice their age. This album is weighed down by several songs that do little to capitalize on Shanice’s range and abilities, but a few are potent enough to prove that this 18-year-old can deftly sell any song that’s truly worthy of her.

Narada Michael Walden, perhaps best known for the hits he’s written and produced for Whitney Houston, gets a knock-out performance from Shanice on “I Love Your Smile,” one of the most ingratiating entries on pop radio in recent months. Shanice’s sunny delivery, backed by a breezy, Euro-pop arrangement and a rock-steady appearance by saxophonist Branford Marsalis, makes this the kind of tune you wouldn’t expect from anyone still in Clearasil’s primary target group.

As for tracks like the deliciously brash and bossy “Stop Cheatin’ on Me” and “You Ain’t All That,” let’s just say that no one would ever have accused Houston of being bland if she had recorded anything this funky. Given that she has the potential to become Motown’s next big star, Shanice has good reason to smile.