Not That Kind

Anastacia's throaty vocals lurk somewhere between Chaka Khan and Terence Trent D'Arby, which will give you some idea of this R&B diva's power as she rips through a widely varied set that spans contemporary country, pop-R&B, and big-time ballads. She eschews run-of-the-mill contemporary fashions in search of something that tends more towards the timeless, and it's a smart choice.

Her debut is an immensely enjoyable romp through turn-of-the-21st century R&B with a backward glance at vintage Stevie Wonder stylings on "Don'tcha Wanna" and uptempo Al Green on "Yo Trippin'," which also recalls early-'70s party-hearty outfits such as KC & The Sunshine Band. There's a classic feel to much of NOT THAT KIND that signals both Anastacia's good taste, and good judgement in her choice of producers and material.