Toni Braxton: The Heat

Herald Rating: * *

(La Face/BMG)

Review: Russell Baillie


The third album from the r'n'b diva shows that while Braxton is wearing less these days , her songs are their usual overdressed selves - whether it's the supposedly sultry under-the-duvet tunes (at their most direct here on Art of Love, which is really nothing but coital sighs and sweet nothings) or its attempt at a Latin pop crossover on Spanish Guitar.

It does get better when it steps outside the boudoir and heads funkily downtown, on the likes of sassy single He Wasn't Man Enough and its hip-hopped close cousin Just Be A Man About It. But even that display of attitude feels hand-me-down and just helps the impression that The Heat is cold-hearted r'n'b product.