Stephanie Mills HER GREATEST HITS

Personnel includes: Stephanie Mills, Robert Brookins (vocals).
Includes liner notes by David Nathan.
Personnel: Stephanie Mills (vocals); Robert Brookins (vocals).
Audio Remixers: Cassandra Mills; Louis Silas, Jr.
Liner Note Author: David Nathan .
Photographers: Adam Buckmaster; Alberto Tolot; Randee Saint Nicholas; Ron Slenzak.
Arranger: Vassal Benford.
Early chart smashes "Never Knew Love Like This" and "Sweet Sensation" didn't make it onto this one, so you can't call Greatest Hits: 1985 to 1993 -- which represents Stephanie Mills' last run of hits MCA Records -- definitive. Mills interprets Angela Winbush's songs as if they were sent to her directly from God: "(Something in the Way) You Make Me Feel" and "I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love" -- originally by Alton McClain & Destiny -- are thrilling examples. Ever romantic, Mills remains the swept-away lover, as the exhilarating "(You're Puttin') a Rush on Me" and "I Feel Good All Over" attest too. Her remake of Gladys Knight & the Pips' "If I Was Your Woman" stirs the same can of emotions as the original. "Home," a song with a heavy message, closes her live shows: the uplifting ballad prompts encore after encore. The only other knock aside from the two missing hits: the contrived disco tracks like "Stand Back." Mills should have passed on the dumb stuff. ~ Andrew Hamilton

• Format: CD