Vocalist Dianne Reeves signed with Blue Note at the back end of the 1980s, and has been riding Jazz's treacherous commercial currents ever since with albums that move elegantly between jazz, soul and world music. She's a superb technician, with a clear, powerful delivery, not as unconventional as her similarly lauded labelmate Cassandra Wilson--but perhaps more versatile. If her recordings are a little less satisfying than her live appearances, it's probably because there's too much elegance. George Duke (her cousin) has produced most of her Blue Note outings (including Bridges), and what he produces is a very smooth and immaculate studio sound--big and rich, but not as exciting a sound as Reeves makes naturally. Comprising a mixture of original tunes and works by top contemporary songwriters Peter Gabriel, Patsy Moore, Leonard Cohen and others, Bridges is lovely, without a doubt--her version of Joni Mitchell's "River" must count among her best recorded moments--but much of it could benefit from a little less production and a little more energy.--Linton Chiswick