ALBUM REVIEW

***; ANITA BAKER, “Rhythm of Love” ( Elektra )

This side of Sade, there’s no woman in pop music with a more sensual sound than Baker’s. While not as instantly irresistible as “Rapture”--still her best album to date--this record’s sultry charms grow on you with each listening. The smoky-voiced, dramatic shading she brings to “Baby” and “The Wrong Man” should thrill Baker fans who have been missing her tasty way with a strong melody.

Conversely, the treatment she gives to such well-known chestnuts as “The Look of Love” and “My Funny Valentine” is unremarkable. And her version of “You Belong to Me” is no more emotionally charged than Carly Simon’s. Baker fares better on fresh material that she had a hand in herself, like “I Apologize,” a torch song she co-wrote that smolders convincingly.

While young upstarts like Toni Braxton will undoubtedly continue to give her a run for her money, Baker’s position as one of pop’s brightest talents is still secure.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).