Joey Guerra
Entertainment Editor
Pure Sugar
Pure Sugar
Geffen Records
***1/2
In clubland, divas and dance music go hand in hand. It's a match made in glitterball heaven - a dramatic, dazzling empress to preside over thunderous beats and sweaty bodies in motion.
In its latest burst of success, though, the dance genre has seen more than its share of dime-a-dozen female belters with lots of attitude but very little to distinguish them from the pack. More often than not, the club sound boils down to sassy women with big voices backed by repetitive beats.
That doesn't seem to be the case with Pure Sugar, which bursts onto the club map with a neon-pink lightning bolt of a debut album. The self-titled effort marks the formal introduction of an energetic trio of club kids: DJs/songwriters/producers Richard "Humpty" Vission and Pete Lorimer and fire-breathing, cotton-candy diva Jennifer Starr. Together, this group is the equivalent of an exploding Easter egg: lots of confetti-colored style and a few unexpected surprises.
To those familiar with the sounds of clubland, Vission and Lorimer need no introduction. Together, the two have been the muscle behind half a dozen No. 1 club hits, including "Relax" from Crystal Waters and "Lucky Love" and "Beautiful Life" for Ace of Base.
They've also scored hits for Vanessa L. Williams, Wild Orchid, No Mercy, Taylor Dayne and RuPaul. Here, the duo unleash a new round of hands-in-the-air anthems and pulsating, energetic grooves.
Starr's bio reads like an after-school special starring Christina Ricci in Opposite of Sex mode. A self-professed "total freak" and "nymphomaniac," Starr says she's always either doing music or having sex. If only we all had those choices.
Starr grew up in Hollywood, performed in L.A. clubs, dropped out of high school, lived in a haunted apartment and claims to be inhabited by the spirit of Mae West.
Despite the diva drama, you should definitely make it a point to come up and see her sometime. Pure Sugar's self-titled debut album is awash in undeniably energizing dance tracks. From the moment the retro-disco beats of "Delicious" hit your speakers, you'll know there's a definite party goin' on here. It's the album's current single and a perfect, shimmering kick-off to a collection on which Starr definitely shines.
Vission and Lorimer surround their vocalist with thumping, heavy beats that are a great match for the full-gusto readings Starr delivers.
The one-two punch of "The Feelin' '98" and "Hands to Heaven" pummel you with synths, keyboards and pure bass - it's a dance-floor high that even the most seasoned club acts will have a tough time topping.
Credit must also go to Starr, who takes the diva act to a whole new realm here. Preceded by her bad-girl rep, she takes it to the limit vocally, soaring as high as her considerable range will take her. Go, girl.
There's lots to like in Pure Sugar's flavor, but not everything is peachy-keen here. DJ Icey's Octane Mix of "Hands to Heaven" strips away all the drama of the original, relying more on looped vocals and a tedious beat than the natural flow of the original.
Starr also takes on a few ballads peppered throughout the album, but besides showcasing her versatility, they simply detract from the album's flow. Pure Sugar tastes best when it's got a groove going.
"Slave to My Feelings" and "No More Words" should keep your toes tapping, as will the revved-up sounds of "Very Cherry," a sexy, slithery track with plenty of heavy breathing.
The album's most novel moment comes during "These Are the Times," which takes hefty chunks of both the Charlie's Angels theme song and Chic's disco classic "Good Times." It's a moment destined to burn up the dance floor.
For purely fun, unadulterated groove music, Pure Sugar is right on the money. It may seem a little sweet for some tastes, but go ahead and give it a try.