‘Soul’ a Stirring Debut Album for Price

*** 1/2 KELLY PRICE

“Soul of a Woman”

Teaneck/Island

Now this is a singer. Price, former backup vocalist for Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey and the Notorious B.I.G., is overdue for her own snippet of the spotlight.

She wrote “Friend of Mine,” arguably the best and most moving R&B; hit of the year. On this tale of romantic betrayal, she sounds like three unheralded soul divas rolled into one: Jennifer Holliday, Shirley Murdock and Martha Wash. All once showed brilliant promise, but none managed to sustain a thriving recording career. Connections with heavy-hitters such as Puff Daddy, R. Kelly and Ronald Isley, all of whom provided production touches to this debut album, may help Price avoid a similar fate.

Although the native of Jamaica, N.Y., does a credible job on the gospel track “Lord of All,” entire careers have been built on songs that weren’t as astounding as “Friend of Mine.” Years from now, it will probably still be the song that best defines her.

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