I played this Sheena Easton album a lot back in 1991! I liked What Comes Naturally, but it's no contest to the album's more funkier songs, such as You Can Swing It (very Bell Biv Devoe-ish), Manic Panic, Time Bomb, Somebody, If You Wanna Keep Me (one of Vassal Benford's earlier songs) and so forth. It was a surprising shift since I had always known Sheena as a pop singer that had many nice '80s hits. But this album challenges even Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson's dance heavy albums! The new jack swing sound that was popular back then worked well for Sheena too. And while Sheena's time with this music was short lived, it was very chance taking. One of my favorite albums by her.

If you want to dance to Sheena Easton's music, this is the CD for you. "What Comes Naturally" features Sheena performing upbeat dance music that may not have been that "natural" for her to perform and record. The music is her response to the changing musical trends of the time, continuing in the direction she had taken on her previous release, "The Lover In Me". Listening to it today, you might not realize that this was originally released over a decade ago. The music is so full of energy.

Unlike her early releases, which featured many soft ballads, with keyboards and strings, the emphasis here is on the beat, and having Sheena vocally swing with it. If you liked her primary for lovely emotional songs like "Almost Over You", this music is not for you. The closest songs to that style are "To Anyone", "The Next Time" and "Forever Friends". The remaining tracks are upbeat numbers that are more suitable for active dancing. Very aerobic, workout music.

It is interesting to hear Sheena bringing her unique vocal style to this type of music. The album's single, "What Comes Naturally" kicks things off, and even features Sheena doing a bit of rap. "Half A Heart" is a tune that kind of updates her 80's rock sound. "Somebody" could be a Britney Spears song. "Manic Panic" is a bouncy rhythmic number. "Time Bomb" and "You Can Swing It" sound a lot like hip-hop to me. "The First Touch Of Love" is rhythmic tune with a more "electronic" sound. It's hard to keep still, listening to these tunes. Somehow your hips just want to start moving.

The sound of the songs may have been influenced by the success of artists like Paula Abdul. Listening to "If You Wanna Keep Me", you may notice a similarity in style. Unfortunately the audience for this CD was not particularly large. You won't find a timeless love song that brings a tear to the eye, but if you want to bump and grind, this is not bad at all. Purists should have no fear, this style of music is really not what Ms. Easton is about. If you want to hear Sheena singing the standards, check out her wonderful "No Strings" CD, which interestingly was her next release after "Naturally".

More than just a talented singer with a beautiful voice, the lady is a survivor. Having just seen Sheena Easton performing her classics in Vegas, I can say that she still puts great passion and fire into her music, but also has the maturity not to take herself too seriously. Seeing her in person, has caused me to give this CD a second chance, and I'm really glad I did because I enjoy it now more than ever.

You won't get any argument from me that 1988's

is quite an impressive album,zeroing right in on Sheena Easton's talents as a funky soul vocalist and including songs again written by creative collaborator and (allegedly) one time romantic interest Prince. The period immediately after that album was released marked a very pointed change not only in R&B/funk but dance music in general. Basically it came down between the disco inspired house styled dance music pioneered throughout the decade,or the hip-hop/sample heavy new jack swing style of funk. Fact is,it wasn't really possible to survive commercially at the time if the artist wasn't able to go with the flow of things. With creative collaborators such as musician/producers Jeff Lorber and David Frank (of The System) helping out,Sheena Easton found herself in a good position to make a go of it herself.

The album starts out with three high power new-jack inspired funk tracks in the title song,"If You Wanna Keep Me" and "You Can Swing It". She co-writes the the energetic funky house/pop of "The First Touch Of Love",one of my favorites numbers here as well as the epic ballad "The Next Time". Two other favorites of mine here are the Southern soul influenced epics "Forever Friends" and the closer "To Anyone",both of which come to life from her incomparable pipes. David Frank and Heatwave's Derek Bramble come into play on two more excellent new-jack flavored funk on "Time Bomb" and "Half A Heart" respectively. There's also "Manic Panic"-fierce,bassy mid 80's style dance-funk that comes straight out of her previous album. There's also more of that sound to be heard,though mildly lower in tempo on "Somebody" as well.

From beginning to end,this is every bit as wonderful an album as it's predecessor,with not a bad song in the bunch. At a time when a lot of female artists working in the pop/R&B/funk world were beginning to present themselves as being somewhat sexually predatory in attitude,Easton maintained her own character by presenting herself as someone who was analytical and investigative of the interpersonal ups and downs which she sang about-rather than just acting haughty and indifferent. Also what is done with the different modern dance/funk production styles of the era has a lot of value too. Though very much up to date,musically on every level this entire album could just as easily have been recorded and released a year after it's predecessor,at the end of the 1980's,as it was four years after it. That says a lot right there.

Here's one i had on tape and just like every thing else i knew that one day that tape is gonna go pop well it can now anytime it want's too. And oh yes love that cd cover.

Rondall Banks

This is quite a good album that should not be inorged. Here she emulates Paula Adbul with this set of savvy Urban/Dance-Pop tunes. Some highlights are "What Comes Naturally", "You Can Swing It", "To Anyone", and "Manic Panic" among other. An album worth checking out from this talented and very commerially viable artist. Also check out the following albums:

Laura Branigan-Laura Branigan

Samantha Fox-Just One Night

Millie Jackson-Young Man, Older Woman