In Brief

** 1/2 Tracie Spencer, “Tracie,” Capitol. Always a bit under-rated, Spencer, 23, made infectious, fresh-sounding records such as “This House” and “Love Me” years before Aaliyah and Missy Elliott even inked a record deal. Some of those early records were edgier than what she attempts here, save for the slinky, attitudinal “No Matter.” Spencer is game, but lacks the risk-taking leadership of her urban radio peers.

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Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.