Taking on a notably sexier stance and wetting her feet in slightly funkier repertoire,
A Private Heaven
expands a good deal on
Easton
's trademark light pop. The lively
"Strut"
and the provocative,
Prince
-penned
"Sugar Walls"
both made the Top Ten on the pop charts (the latter also made the R&B Top Ten) and serve as two of the set's strongest offerings. The snappy, jazzy
"Back in the City"
and memorable ballad
"Hard to Say It's Over"
are not instantly as catchy, but ultimately just as strong. Filler syndrome is not escaped entirely, but isn't in excess, making this a desirable addition to
collections. ~ Justin M. Kantor