FALL ALBUM ROUNDUP

JADE

“Mind, Body and Song”

Giant

* * *

While girl groups were all the rage back in the ‘60s, contemporary units such as En Vogue, SWV and Jade give a welcome jolt of life to that time-honored genre. At its best, Jade boasts an easy sensuality and street-informed sassiness that such Motown icons as the Supremes had to subdue for the sake of crossover acceptance.

In some ways, this is a superior, more mature album than “Jade to the Max,” the trio’s 1992 debut effort, which included hits such as the hip-hop-infused “Don’t Walk Away.” Though it peters out midway through, there’s a definite confidence and ambition to the album’s initial tracks--in particular “Bedroom,” which seems like just another boudoir-oriented throwaway, then quickly escalates into a vocal tour de force that few ‘60s Motown ballads can surpass.

Jade’s Tonya Kelly, Joi Marshall and Di Reed co-wrote several tracks here. While all their moves aren’t on target (a self-produced “When Will I See You Again” is shamelessly oversung), give Jade credit for exhibiting a creative independence and strength. Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four stars (excellent).