Alisha ALISHA

Personnel: Alisha (vocals).
Madonna's popularity inspired numerous clones in the '80s -- most of whom lacked even a fraction of her talent. But one Material Girl disciple who gave listeners some decent club hits and dance-pop numbers was the New York teenager Alisha, who doesn't have a great voice by any means, but projects enough spirit and energy to make this self-titled debut work. While she doesn't do anything significant or noteworthy with Kirsty MacColl's "One Little Lie," Alisha definitely has enjoyable and infectious dancefloor hits in "All Night Passion," "Baby Talk," and "Too Turned On" -- all of which are full of the type of high-tech effects that were so prevalent in '80s R&B and dance music. To be sure, Alisha isn't the type of artist one associates with Vanguard Records -- a label that's perhaps best known for recording Joan Baez and other folk legends. The word "legend" hardly applies to Alisha, though this CD definitely has its moments.~ Alex Henderson

• Format: CD
• Genre: R&B