Move to This [Expanded Edition]

Though not in a class with fellow British R&B/dance divas Lisa Stansfield or Caron Wheeler, Cathy Dennis proved herself to be a welcome addition to Britain's '90s R&B scene with Move to This -- a decent, though not remarkable, effort released when she was riding high on her hit with dance outfit D-Mob, "C'Mon and Get My Love," and her single "Just Another Dream" (both of which are among the CD's high points). The girlish-sounding Dennis doesn't have a great range, but she does have heart -- and is indeed warm and convincing on such sleek and infectious dance-floor fare as "Got to Get Your Love," "Taste My Love," and "Everybody Move" (which was produced by Nile Rodgers of Chic fame). Dennis is at her worst when moving from R&B/dance music to bloodless adult contemporary-oriented pop, like the ballads "Too Many Walls," and "My Beating Heart." Amazingly, the latter was also produced by Rodgers -- who has produced gems for everyone from David Bowie to Madonna, but wastes his considerable talents on "My Beating Heart." Nonetheless, Move to This has more strengths than weaknesses, and reminds us that England is definitely a country to pay attention to when it comes to dance music. ~ Alex Henderson