Brown Bags 2 Stardom '96 winner!!
02-21-97
DESIRE, hard work, astute management and an imaginative production team make Lorie Salvatera's first album a promising package. Yes, winning I-94's "Brown Bags to Stardom" competition in 1995 was the lucky break that ensured I-94 airplay for her first single, but the best songs here are playlist picks in their own right. Salvatera has paid her dues and come a long way since signing with Matt Young's HiTown Records organization.The opening track, "1-4-3 Means I Love You," is a catchy commercial gem co-written by Young, Tenderoni and Ronnie Esteban. It finds Salvatera moving beyond the local pop sound of her first efforts. Having Tenderoni, Hawaii's top teen "girl group," singing the melodic refrain is a coup that adds further luster to the song.Salvatera also does well with a fresh soft-pop ballad, "If We Try." She shares the spotlight with Tenderoni on the album's title track; she co-wrote it with Tenderoni, Young and Esteban. The three songs previously released on "Brown Bags to Stardom" anthologies are here too. This album is a complete discography of her work to date.The only questionable choice is a remake of "Could This Be Love" - originally recorded with far more soul and emotional intensity by Seduction in 1989. The A&M Records trio wasn't just a "girl group" with good arrangements; they had tremendous vocal presence as well. Pop groups should think twice before attempting remakes of Seduction material.Salvatera has a promising debut album otherwise. Producers Young and Timmy Gatling add variety by slipping in two rap songs by an untouted duo, Funke & Tren. Whoever these guys are they could conduct a clinic for most island rappers.By John Berger
